Preparation and Application of Porous Metallic Glasses via Aging-Assisted Ultrasonic Vibration and Compression

The quest for enhanced energy efficiency is inextricably linked to advancements in energy storage and conversion, with porous metallic glasses (MGs) serving as catalysts that hold significant potential in this area. In this study, we report the preparation of uniform porous structures by aging-assisted ultrasonic vibration (AAUV). The results indicate that ultrasonic treatment effectively enhances the energy state while preserving the amorphous structure of Zr₆₂Cu_15.5Ni_12.5Al₁₀ MGs. The results demonstrate that UV treatment effectively elevates the energy state while maintaining the amorphous structure. Electrochemical tests reveal significantly improved chemical activity after UV treatment, with a reduced corrosion potential and over 200-fold increase in electrochemical surface area after dealloying. The dealloyed UV-treated samples develop uniform porous structures with Cu-enriched zones, exhibiting exceptional catalytic performance in alkaline media (oxygen evolution reaction: 350 mV, hydrogen evolution reaction: 163 mV), comparable to commercial catalysts. This work provides new insights into developing high-performance MGs through energy-state engineering.