Formation of nano-porous Pd(Ni) structure produced by dealloying Zr-Al-Ni-Pd base glassy alloys and their electrochemical properties

Abstract In this work bulk metallic glasses of Zr 55 Al 10 Ni 10 Pd 25 , Zr 50 Al 10 Ni 15 Pd 25 and Zr 40 Al 10 Ni 25 Pd 25 in rod form s were prepared by copper mold casting technique. The glass-forming ability, thermal stability and corrosion behavior were examined with the aim to investigate the possibility of synthesizing nanoporous Pd(Ni) alloy structure which are exhibiting good electrochemical characteristics by the dealloying treatment of Zr-Al-Ni-Pd bulk metallic glasses in acid solution. After chemical treatments, the glassy rods exhibit open, three-dimensional, and separated nanopore s structure. The size of nanopores (NP) is increased with increasing Zr content due to the enhanced dealloying kinetics.