Study on micron porous copper prepared by physical vacuum dealloying

Abstract

Porous copper was prepared successfully by physical vacuum dealloying method using the CuZn alloy precursors (Cu30Zn70, Cu40Zn60 and Cu50Zn50 alloys). The micron porous copper showed a three-dimensional continuous porous structure with 1-5 lm pore size. With the increase of the Zn content in the CuZn alloy, the pore structure of the porous copper was more uniform and ordered. Temperature was the key factor for physical dealloying, and the optimized temperature was 500 °C for the CuZn alloy. The pores would fuse and disappear when the temperature was over 500 °C. Physical vacuum dealloying was an effective preparation method for porous copper, which can be used to prepare other porous metals based on the sublimation and the Kirkendall effect.