Electrochimica Acta, Vol.63, 302-311, 2012
Formation and microstructure of nanoporous silver by dealloying rapidly solidified Zn-Ag alloys
The electrochemical dealloying of rapidly solidified (RS) Zn-Ag alloys in a 5 wt.% HCl solution and 1 M NaCl solution has been investigated using electrochemical measurements and microstructural analysis. The results show that the electrochemical properties of the RS Zn-Ag alloys are associated not only with the alloy composition, but with the phase constitution of the alloys. Nanoporous silver (NPS) ribbons can be fabricated through potentiostatically dealloying the RS Zn-Ag alloys in both solutions. Moreover, a minor difference in the applied potential has a significant influence on the dealloying process and formation of NPS. The critical potential and polarization behavior of the Zn-Ag alloys have also been discussed, as well as surface diffusion of Ag adatoms. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Nanoporous silver;Dealloying;Zn-Ag alloys;Potentiodynamic polarization;Potentiostatic polarization