Designed Architectures of Ag-Modified Nanoporous Cu Foils Via Sequence-Controlled Ga-Assisted Alloying/Dealloying

Abstract

Nanoporous materials are highly valued in chemical engineering for their large surface area, tunable porosity, and excellent catalytic properties. Fabricating self-supporting nanoporous metal foils remains a significant challenge. The liquid Ga-assisted alloying/dealloying strategy offers an effective approach to constructing nanoporous architectures on metal foils. In this study, we employed this method to engineer nanoporous Cu-based foils. Unlike conventional Ga-only processes, we introduced Ag via thermal evaporation either before or after Ga deposition. For the CuAgGa precursor (Ag deposited first, followed by Ga), dealloying yielded nanoporous Cu decorated with rod-like Ag3Ga. In contrast, the CuGaAg precursor (Ga deposited first, then Ag) evolved into nanoporous Cu domains embedded within a continuous Ag network after dealloying. Subsequent electrooxidation generated CuxO nanostructures to functionalize the materials. The CuAgGa-derived catalyst demonstrated exceptional electrochemical glucose sensing performance, achieving a sensitivity of 3.17 mA mM⁻1 cm⁻2, and 98% stability retention over 15 days. Meanwhile, the CuGaAg-derived catalyst exhibited superior photo-Fenton activity, degrading rhodamine B (RhB) within 5 minutes via synergistic ROS generation (•OH, 1O2, O2•⁻) and maintaining 95% efficiency after 6 cycles. This work provides a versatile strategy for spatially engineering Ag distribution in Cu-based composites, advancing the development of multifunctional catalysts for biosensing and environmental remediation.

Keywords: Liquid Ga-assisted alloying/dealloying, Nanoporous copper, Ag decoration, Electrochemical glucose sensing, Photo-Fenton catalysis