Stiffening of nanoporous gold: experiment, simulation and theory

Abstract By combining electron microscopy measurements, atomistic simulations and elastic homogenization theory, we theoretically investigate the Young’s modulus of nanoporous Au structures. Based on replicas generated starting from experimental tomographic evidence, reveal that stiffens as ligaments become finer, reproducing findings obtained by nanoindentation dealloyed samples. We argue such a stiffening is neither due to surface stress nor grain boundaries. Instead, observe direct quantitative correlation between density dislocations found in material phase structures their propose microscopic explanation observed stiffening. In particular, show local strain fields neighborhood dislocation cores allow work reinforcing solutes.