Deformation mechanisms in gold nanowires and nanoporous gold

We present a study of the deformation of gold nanowires of diameter 30-70 nm and nanoporous gold specimens with ligament diameter 5-10 nm, both produced by electrodeposition into anodised aluminium oxide templates. The nanowires show extensive surface slip steps and low dislocation densities with a few perfect dislocation loops, Shockley partial dislocations and microtwins observed after deformation. Nanoporous specimens show deformation localised to the nodes between the ligaments of the foamed structure, with high densities of microtwins and Shockley partial dislocations in these regions. Similar dislocation structures are seen in larger nanowires deformed in bending. This is shown to be consistent with a strain gradient plasticity model for the deformation of nanoporous gold, with the strain gradient accommodated by geometrically necessary twins and partial dislocations.