Formation, control and functionalization of nanoporous zinc by selective corrosion of Al–Zn alloys with varying compositions

Abstract

This work investigates the impact of alloy composition on the microstructure and phase distribution of rapidly solidified Al–Zn alloys. The results demonstrate that the size and distribution of α-Al grains vary with the Zn content, and a Zn-rich phase precipitates along the grain boundaries with Zn content over 15 at%. Furthermore, the alloy composition of the Al–Zn precursors significantly influences the formation, microstructure, crack appearance and length scale of ligaments in nanoporous zinc (NP-Zn) prepared by dealloying. Additionally, the activity and selectivity of NP-Zn in CO₂ electroreduction were explored in an aqueous KHCO₃ electrolyte. The results indicate that a smaller ligament size of NP-Zn is more conducive to enhancing the catalytic performance. The research underscores the potential for adjusting the nanostructure of NP-Zn by controlling the composition of precursor alloys, providing valuable insights for designing efficient Zn-based electrocatalysts.