Nucleation and growth of nanoporous copper ligaments during electrochemical dealloying of Mg-based metallic glasses

Mg_90-xCu_xY₁₀ glassy precursors have been used to synthesize nanoporous copper (NPC) by electrochemical dealloying in H₂SO₄ aqueous solution. The formation mechanism of NPC during electrochemical dealloying of Mg_90-xCu_xY₁₀ metallic glasses is mainly governed by dissolution and diffusion processes at the precursor/solution interfaces. A diffusion growth model was provided to reveal a quantitative relationship between the ligament size and the dealloying conditions. The ligament size of NPC shows a linear correlation with Cu content in the glassy precursors. Moreover, the ligaments can be significantly coarsened with prolongation of leaching time or elevation of leaching temperature.