Monolithic micro/nanoporous copper: Preparation, mechanical and electrocatalytic properties

Abstract

In this study, monolithic micro/nanoporous copper is prepared by sintering and dealloying, that is, the micro/nanoporous copper is obtained by chemical dealloying of a sintered microporous CuMn alloy. The porosity and BrunauerEmmettTeller (BET) surface area are 68% and 6.77 m2·g11, respectively. The micropore and nanopore sizes are 2.44 « 0.48 µm and 69 « 16 nm, respectively. The mechanical property is investigated by nanoindentation. The hardness and elastic modulus are 282 « 65 MPa and 8.25 « 1.63 GPa, respectively. Indentation creep occurs with a creep depth of 44 « 7 nm. The electrocatalytic property towards the oxidation of methanol and glucose are investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The monolithic micro/nanoporous copper exhibits high electrocatalytic activity and stability. The oxidation peak current density in methanol or glucose alkaline solution is 17 or 51 times that of smooth copper.