Three-dimensional nanoporous copper with high surface area by dealloying Mg–Cu–Y metallic glasses

Uniform three-dimensional nanoporous copper (NPC) with open pores was synthesized by chemically dealloying Mg–Cu–Y metallic glasses in H2SO4 aqueous solution. The NPC dealloyed from Mg50Cu40Y10 glassy alloy exhibits high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area (12.27 m2/g), which is attributed to the formation of interconnective nanopores with size of 30–60 nm and accumulative nanoparticles with size of 3–8 nm on the surface of ligaments. The results reveal that the main forming mechanism of current NPC is fast dissolution of Mg and Y elements in the glassy alloys coupled with nucleation and growth of Cu clusters via the alloy/solution interface diffusion of Cu atoms. The NPC with large specific surface area and proper thermal conductivity is expected to be low-temperature heat exchanger materials.

A three-dimensional nanoporous copper with open pores synthesized by dealloying of Mg–Cu–Y metallic glasses exhibits high surface area, which is attributed to the unique nanoporosity with nanoparticles accumulated on the ligaments. Combined with the much high surface area and low cost, the nanoporous copper is expected to be an attractive candidate as low-temperature heat exchanger material.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Nanoporous copper (NPC) can be fabricated by dealloying of Mg-based metallic glasses.
► The uniform NPC with multiscale nano-structure shows high surface area.
► This paper offers a kind of novel applications of metallic glasses.