Nanoporous metals represent an interesting class of materials with potential applications in catalysis, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, and separations. To date, such structures have been made via time consuming approaches involving the use of sacrificial scaffolds that are ultimately removed. Northwestern researchers have developed a simple, one-pot synthesis of nanoporous metals taking advantage of plastic properties of their nanoparticles. The method is applicable to nanoporous stuctures of various porosities, and made of different metals, as well as their mixtures.
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