Abstract: To enhance the stability of dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure, a layer of porous anodic alumina (PAA) was prepared on the surface of an aluminum plate by the anodizing process. The surface morphology, thickness and other characteristics of PAA were tested by the scanning electron microscope, the scratch tester, the metallographic microscope and the step profiler. The discharge process pictures and oscillogram of dielectric barrier discharge with quartz, ceramic and PAA at atmospheric pressure are compared and analyzed. It is shown that PAA prepared by anodizing has a regular nanoscale porous structure with good adhesion. The dielectric barrier discharge with PAA as the dielectric has a more stable discharge process. A denser micro-discharge with the PAA dielectric is produced, which helps reduce the discharge breakdown voltage and enhance the discharge stability. Dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure with thicker porous anodic PAA as dielectric has better discharge stability.