Synthesis and characterization of nanoporous Pt-Ni alloys

Two nanoporous Pt-Ni alloys were synthesized by dealloying ternary amorphous Si-Pt-Ni precursors. Both foams have nearly the same composition, ligament diameter size, and density. However, their ligament patterns are different, depending on the microstructure of precursors. The difference in morphology is shown to have a profound effect on mechanical properties. The structure with well-aligned long nanoligaments exhibited over 50% higher hardness and stiffness than the structure with short random-oriented nanoligaments. These nanoporous Pt-Ni structures are thermally stable at 300 °C.