Structure evolution of nanoporous copper by dealloying of AL 17-33 at% cu alloy

Three Al-Cu alloys with Cu contents ranging from 17 to 33 at% were prepared by a melt-spun approach, and their dealloying behavior was investigated. After being dealloyed in NaOH solution, the as-produced nanoporous copper (NPC) samples reveal an inherited structure from their precursor alloys in a comparatively large scale, and share similar three-dimensional bicontinuous nanoporous structure in the nano-scale. Some NPCs demonstrate a bimodal size distribution, i.e., macroporous channels (~100 nm) and mesopores (~25 nm). Electrochemical tests reveal the dissolution sequences of different phases in the solution. At elevated temperature, the developed NPC would coarsen into a larger scale.