Chemical leaching of Al-Cu-Co decagonal quasicrystals

TL;DR

This study investigates the chemical leaching process of decagonal Al-Cu-Co quasicrystals, revealing selective aluminum removal and formation of nano-sized metal particles and oxides, with differences in porosity and particle size between alloy compositions.

Contribution

It provides detailed microstructural and compositional analysis of leached Al-Cu-Co quasicrystals, highlighting the effects of leaching duration and alloy composition on surface porosity and nanoparticle formation.

Findings

Aluminum is selectively leached, forming porous structures.

Porosity is higher in Al65Cu15Co20 compared to Al65Cu20Co15.

Nano-sized Cu, Co, and their oxides are formed on the surface.

Abstract

In the present investigation, the chemical leaching of the poly-grain Al65Cu15Co20 and Al65Cu20Co15 decagonal quasicrystalline alloy have been studied. The polished surfaces of as-cast alloys were leached with 10 mole NaOH solution for 0.5- 8 hours. The x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques have been used for structural and microstructural characterization. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis has been carried out for chemical composition analysis. Chemical leaching exclusively removes the Al from the surfaces of the Al65Cu15Co20 and Al65Cu20Co15 decagonal quasicrystalline alloys, consequently by the formation of porous structure containing nano size particles of Cu, Co and their oxides have been observed. Al65Cu15Co20 exhibits high porosity in comparison to Al65Cu20Co15 alloy, however the size of the precipitated nano-particles i.e. Cu, Co, Cu2O and CuO were smaller in the case of Al65Cu20Co15 alloy. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis mapping suggests homogeneous distribution of Cu and Co found on the leached surface and the presence of oxygen was also detected.