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Nanoporous metals and alloys
Research Guide
What is Nanoporous metals and alloys?
Nanoporous metals and alloys are metallic materials featuring nanoscale pores, often fabricated through dealloying or templating methods, with applications in catalysis, energy storage, and electrochemical devices.
Nanoporous metals and alloys number 10,003 papers in the field. Dealloying represents a primary fabrication technique, enabling controlled nanoporosity evolution as detailed in foundational studies. Applications span catalysis, supercapacitors, and plasmonic structures, with growth data unavailable over the past five years.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Dealloying Mechanisms in Nanoporous Metals
This sub-topic examines the fundamental chemical and physical processes during dealloying that lead to nanopore formation and ligament evolution in metals and alloys. Researchers study surface diffusion, dissolution kinetics, and phase separation using techniques like in-situ microscopy and electrochemical analysis.
Nanoporous Metals for Electrocatalysis
This area focuses on the use of nanoporous gold, silver, and alloys as high-surface-area electrocatalysts for reactions like oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution. Studies explore structure-activity relationships, alloy effects, and stability under operational conditions.
Mechanical Properties of Nanoporous Metals
Researchers investigate the relationships between nanopore morphology, relative density, and mechanical behaviors such as strength, ductility, and fatigue resistance in nanoporous metals. Experimental and computational approaches model deformation mechanisms from nanoscale ligaments to bulk properties.
Plasmonic Properties of Nanoporous Metals
This sub-topic covers localized surface plasmon resonances in nanoporous noble metals, their tunability via pore geometry, and applications in sensing and metamaterials. Work includes optical characterization, near-field enhancements, and integration with dielectric substrates.
Nanoporous Metal Electrodes for Supercapacitors
Studies develop nanoporous metals and hybrid metal/oxide electrodes for high-power electrochemical capacitors, focusing on capacitance enhancement via pseudocapacitive coatings and electrolyte interactions. Research addresses cycling stability and rate performance scaling.
Why It Matters
Nanoporous metals enhance fuel cell catalyst performance through lattice-strain control in dealloyed core-shell structures, as Strasser et al. (2010) demonstrated with improved activity in oxygen reduction reactions. In energy storage, Lang et al. (2011) reported nanoporous metal/oxide hybrid electrodes achieving high capacitance for electrochemical supercapacitors. Erlebacher et al. (2001) established dealloying mechanisms supporting biosensor and plasmonic metamaterial uses, while Masuda and Fukuda (1995) enabled ordered nanohole arrays in platinum and gold for surface chemistry applications.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
'Evolution of nanoporosity in dealloying' by Erlebacher et al. (2001), as it provides the foundational mechanism of dealloying central to nanoporous metal fabrication.
Key Papers Explained
Erlebacher et al. (2001) 'Evolution of nanoporosity in dealloying' establishes the core dealloying process, which Strasser et al. (2010) 'Lattice-strain control of the activity in dealloyed core–shell fuel cell catalysts' applies to catalyst optimization via strain effects. Masuda and Fukuda (1995) 'Ordered Metal Nanohole Arrays Made by a Two-Step Replication of Honeycomb Structures of Anodic Alumina' introduces templating for ordered structures, extended by Lang et al. (2011) 'Nanoporous metal/oxide hybrid electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitors' to hybrid energy devices. Schaedler et al. (2011) 'Ultralight Metallic Microlattices' builds on porosity for lightweight mechanics.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Recent focus remains on dealloying refinements for catalysis and energy storage, as no new preprints or news appear in the last six to twelve months. Core challenges persist in scaling ordered nanoporous arrays and hybrid electrodes from established works like Masuda and Fukuda (1995) and Lang et al. (2011).
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ordered Metal Nanohole Arrays Made by a Two-Step Replication o... | 1995 | Science | 5.1K | ✕ |
| 2 | Lattice-strain control of the activity in dealloyed core–shell... | 2010 | Nature Chemistry | 2.9K | ✕ |
| 3 | Non-crystalline Structure in Solidified Gold–Silicon Alloys | 1960 | Nature | 2.8K | ✕ |
| 4 | Evolution of nanoporosity in dealloying | 2001 | Nature | 2.7K | ✓ |
| 5 | Nanoporous metal/oxide hybrid electrodes for electrochemical s... | 2011 | Nature Nanotechnology | 2.1K | ✕ |
| 6 | Topological design and additive manufacturing of porous metals... | 2016 | Biomaterials | 2.0K | ✕ |
| 7 | Ultralight Metallic Microlattices | 2011 | Science | 1.7K | ✕ |
| 8 | Ultrafine jagged platinum nanowires enable ultrahigh mass acti... | 2016 | Science | 1.5K | ✓ |
| 9 | Isolated Metal Atom Geometries as a Strategy for Selective Het... | 2012 | Science | 1.5K | ✓ |
| 10 | Gold Nanocages: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications | 2008 | Accounts of Chemical R... | 1.4K | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dealloying in nanoporous metals?
Dealloying selectively corrodes less noble metal atoms from an alloy, producing a bicontinuous nanoporous structure in the remaining noble metal. Erlebacher et al. (2001) described its evolution in 'Evolution of nanoporosity in dealloying'. This method yields high surface area materials for catalysis and energy applications.
How are ordered metal nanohole arrays fabricated?
Ordered metal nanohole arrays in platinum and gold form via two-step replication of anodic alumina honeycomb structures. Masuda and Fukuda (1995) outlined preparing a negative porous alumina template followed by metal deposition for the positive structure. This produces highly ordered plasmonic metamaterials.
What role do nanoporous metals play in supercapacitors?
Nanoporous metal/oxide hybrids serve as electrodes delivering high capacitance and rate capability. Lang et al. (2011) showed in 'Nanoporous metal/oxide hybrid electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitors' that these structures excel in electrochemical supercapacitors due to their porosity and conductivity. They support energy storage with rapid charge-discharge cycles.
How does lattice strain affect fuel cell catalysts?
Lattice strain in dealloyed core-shell catalysts tunes binding energies for optimal activity. Strasser et al. (2010) proved in 'Lattice-strain control of the activity in dealloyed core–shell fuel cell catalysts' that compressive strain enhances oxygen reduction reaction performance. This applies to platinum-based alloys in fuel cells.
What are applications of nanoporous metals in catalysis?
Nanoporous metals provide high surface area for selective hydrogenations and oxygen reduction. Strasser et al. (2010) linked dealloyed structures to fuel cell efficiency, while isolated metal atoms on supports enable precise hydrogenation as in Kyriakou et al. (2012). These advance heterogeneous catalysis.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can dealloying parameters be optimized to predict nanopore size distribution across alloy compositions?
- ? What mechanisms control mechanical stability in ultralight nanoporous metallic lattices under load?
- ? How do surface chemistry modifications enhance selectivity in nanoporous metal catalysts for multi-step reactions?
- ? What limits mass transport in nanoporous electrodes for high-rate energy storage devices?
- ? How do topological designs influence osseointegration in additively manufactured nanoporous metal bone scaffolds?
Recent Trends
The field holds steady at 10,003 papers with no specified five-year growth rate.
No preprints from the last six months or news in the past twelve months indicate ongoing reliance on dealloying and templating from top-cited works like Erlebacher et al. and Masuda and Fukuda (1995).
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