Fabrication of nanoporous silver with open pores

Nanoporous silver, with an average grain size of 20-40 nm and with asymmetric pores typically of ∼25 and 100 nm width and length, respectively, was synthesized by dealloying of amorphous Ag-based alloys. Binary and ternary Ag-based alloys were selected to prepare fine duplex or amorphous structures and to then remove the non-Ag phase or elements by a proper selective leaching process. The nanoporous foil-shaped samples show unchanged thicknesses and good mechanical integrity, indicating continuous paths between the two sides of the sample.