Nanoporous Au (NPG) is synthesized by de-alloying of electrodeposited Cu-Au thin films.
Composition independent critical potentials are observed in the de-alloying of said films.
The NPG in this work features three-fold larger surface area than Ag-Au counterparts.
Pt coatings render the NPG films highly active formic acid (FA) oxidation catalysts.
The developed Pt-NPG catalysts feature mass activity of 3–5 A/mg in FA oxidation.