Method of Forming an Anode of an Electrolytic Capacitor

A solid electrolytic capacitor 30 and method for forming an anode of an electrolytic capacitor, the method comprises: compacting a powder that contains a valve metal composition, such as tantalum, niobium, into a pressed pellet; sintering the pressed pellet to form an anode body 50; etching the anode body with an organic acid such as carboxylic acids, acrylic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, polyprotic acid; and thereafter, anodically oxidizing the etched anode body in the presence of an electrolyte such as to form a dielectric layer 52. Preferably the anode body is dipped into an etching solution and the anode body may also be dipped into the electrolyte. Additionally a solid electrolytic layer 54 may overlay the dielectric layer. Further layers of silver 56 and graphite 58 may also be present.