Abstract: Highly ordered nanoporous nickel membranes were fabricated by a two-step replication of porous anodic alumina with honeycomb structure. SEM analysis shows that the nanoholes of nickel membranes are hexagonally arranged in high regularity. The mean diameter and the interval of the holes measured from the SEM micrograph are about 40 nm and 80 nm,respectively. The mean diameter of the hole array was dependent on the corresponding parameter of the porous anodic alumina. Compared with alumina membranes,the nanoporous metal ones have many advantages in more sufficient thermal,chemical stability and higher mechanical strength. Serving as a magnetic and conductive material,the nickel membrane template will be used for many technological and scientific applications. The presented process could be utilized to fabricate nanostrctures of other nanochannel materials.

Key words: Anodization, Two-step replication, Membrane template, Nickel