Lowered infrared emittance and enhanced thermal stability of solar selective absorption properties of anodic aluminum oxide photonic crystal coatings

•The spectral positions of photonic bandgaps were estimated by theoretical simulation.•The first-order photonic bandgap was verified to be located in the infrared region.•The formation of the photonic bandgaps appreciably improved the overall properties.•A small amount of CuAl2O4 was produced by controlling electrodeposition voltage.•The CuAl2O4 formation enhanced the thermal stability of the coating properties.