Abstract

To improve the filtration efficiency of porous materials used in filters, an extensive specific surface area is required to serve as a site for adsorption of impurities. In this paper, a method for creating a hybridized porous alloy using a powder metallurgical technique to build macropores in an Al-4 wt.% Cu alloy and subsequent surface modification for a microporous surface with a considerably increased specific surface area is suggested. The macropore structure was controlled by granulation, compacting pressure, and sintering; the micropore structure was obtained by a surface modification using a dilute NaOH solution. The specific surface area of surface-modified specimen increased about 10 times compare to as-sintered specimen that comprised of the macropore structure. Also, the surface-modified specimens showed a remarkable increase in micropores larger than 10 nm. Such a hybridized porous structure has potential for application in water and air purification filters, as well as membrane pre-treatment and catalysis.

• Keywords: Porous surface;Pore structure control;Alkali surface modification;Hybrid pore structure;