LAUSR

Abstract Deep understanding of dealloying mechanisms is of central importance to investigate the formation of nanoporous structure, but normally lacks of in-situ information. Herein, the dealloying of a rapidly solidified two-phase Al80Ag20 precursor was detailedly investigated using in-situ X-ray diffraction. Both the solution type and dealloying duration were taken into consideration, and some new dealloying scenarios were identified. It has been found that no intermediate phase appears during the dealloying of Al80Ag20 in both the NaOH and HCl solutions. The α-Al(Ag) and Ag2Al phases in Al80Ag20 show sequential dealloying in the HCl solution. Moreover, the influence of the formed Ag and the size effect of Ag2Al jointly contribute to the complete dealloying of Ag2Al in the HCl solution, despite its inert nature in NaOH. These findings could give insights into the dealloying process and provide valuable information on tuning microstructures/properties of nanoporous metals.