Electrochemical Dealloying ofElectrodeposited NiFeCu

Jennifer R. Hampton, Hope College, DMR 1104725

The Hampton Group is studying the electrochemical dealloying of complex nickel-based alloys. Ternary alloys of nickel, iron, and copper were electrodeposited potentiostatically from sulfate solutions containing a small amount of formamide and dealloyed using linear sweep voltammetry. The structure and composition of the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy.

The SEM images to the right show the results for a sample before and after the dealloy treatment. Copper is selectively removed, leaving behind a porous structure.

Pre-dealloying

Post-dealloying

ElementAtomic %

Pre-DealloyingAtomic %

Post-Dealloying

Ni 70.2 ± 0.5 80.1 ± 0.8

Fe 5.8 ± 0.1 6.9 ± 0.1

Cu 24.1 ± 0.2 13.0 ± 0.2

Synergistic Effects of Multiple Grants

Jennifer R. Hampton, Hope College, DMR 1104725

The Hampton Group’s laboratory spaces were substantially renovated in 2011 with NSF-ARI support. The grant also supported the creation of the Materials Characterization Laboratory which houses a scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope, both obtained with NSF-MRI grants. Hampton Group research makes extensive use of this instrumentation.

Kyla Koboski (Hope College ‘14) has worked in the Hampton Group since the fall of 2010. She was supported with NSF-REU funds for the summer of 2011, and with the current NSF-RUI grant for the summer of 2012.

(left) Kyla Koboski presents the results from her summer research activities at the 5th Annual Midwest Women in Physics Conference in January of 2012.

(left and below) Kyla Koboski and Jennifer Hampton use the SEM in the Materials Characterization Lab.