Anodizing technique has been recognized as an efficient way to grow the well-ordered oxide nano-structures on metal substrate. In the present experimental study, the nucleate pool boiling heat transfer coefficient and long-term performance of nano-porous surface fabricated by the cost-effective and simple anodizing technique were investigated with water. The incipient wall superheat of pool boiling in nano-porous surface was lower than that in non-coating surface. The nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient of nano-porous coating surface appeared higher than that of non-coating surface particularly at the low heat flux condition. The higher coefficient remained throughout 500 h of operation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.