A general dealloying strategy to nanoporous intermetallics, nanoporous metals with bimodal, and unimodal pore size distributions

We develop a general dealloying strategy to sequentially synthesize nanoporous intermetallics, nanoporous metals with bimodal, and unimodal pore size distributions. Typically, this strategy here was employed to fabricate nanoporous copper-based intermetallics (NPCBI), nanoporous copper (NPC) ribbons with bimodal, and unimodal pore size distributions by chemical dealloying of dual-phase Cu–M (M: Mg and Al) alloys with quasieutectic structures in an acidic solution. The results show that these porous products can be sequentially achieved by simply changing the dealloying times. Additionally, their morphological evolutions upon dealloying were investigated, and the formation mechanism is discussed.

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► A general strategy to nanoporous intermetallics, nanoporous metals is developed.
► These products can be sequentially obtained by changing dealloying times.
► Typically, nanoporous copper-based intermetallics, nanoporous copper are fabricated.
► This approach possesses advantages of simple processing, nearly absolute yield.
► This work will have implications for further fabricating novel porous materials.