Directional hierarchical porous Cu prepared by one-step etching 3D printed Fe-Cu alloy with two-stage phase separation structure. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Ling; Yu, Yandong; Chen, Tianxiong; Hu, Liwei; Li, Jinfeng; Le, Guomin; Qu, Fengsheng; Wang, Xiaoying; Li, Chao; Dong, Wumei; Liu, Xue
• Is Part Of: Vacuum. Volume 174(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Hierarchical porous metals -- Fe-Cu alloy -- Additive manufacturing -- Phase separation -- Selective etching; Vacuum -- Periodicals; 621.55
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2020.109211
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-207X

Abstract

Abstract: Directional hierarchical porous metals have attracted a lot of attention due to their enhanced performance in catalysis, sensing and surface modifications. But the preparation of directional hierarchical porous metals is usually complex and expensive. In the present work, a directional hierarchical porous Cu has been prepared by one-step etching of a 3D printed Fe-Cu alloy with two-stage phase separation structure without template. The morphology evolution of the directional hierarchical porous Cu was investigated. During the 3D printing process, the Fe-Cu melt firstly separates into a Cu-rich network and a Fe-rich dot-like phase that grows along the heat flow direction. Then the Fe-rich dot-like phase further separates into a Cu-rich phase and a Fe-rich phase in nanoscale. After etching the Fe-rich phase off, directional hierarchical porous Cu forms. The structure as well as the wettability of the directional hierarchical porous Cu can be tuned by adjusting the etching time. This work proposes a new combined technique of one-step etching and 3D printing for the preparation of directional hierarchical porous metals. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Fe-Cu alloy with two-stage phase separation structure was prepared by 3D printing. Directional hierarchical porous Cu was prepared by etching the printed Fe-Cu alloy. Morphology evolution and the wettability of the etched sample were investigated. The formation mechanism of the directional hierarchical porous Cu was proposed.