Nanoporous metals demonstrate significant
potential in a variety
of innovative structures and functional domains, but their limited
macroscopic plasticity hinders their industrial application. In this
work, we constructed a core–shell structure by modifying nanoporous
gold (NP-Au) with Pt atoms and investigated its mechanical response
via molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that the introduction
of the Pt shell layer to form a core–shell structure effectively
enhances the plasticity of NP-Au. Specifically, the lattice mismatch
between the Pt shell layer and Au core layer induces elevated interfacial
stress, leading to heightened initial dislocation density and intensified
dislocation activity during deformation, which promotes the formation
of Lomer–Cottrell locks and helps resist fracture. Additionally,
the Pt shell layer mitigates strain localization and facilitates the
nucleation and propagation of nanotwins. These synergistic mechanisms
collectively contribute to the observed enhancement in plasticity,
with greater reinforcement observed as the thickness of the Pt coating
layer increases. Through quantitative comparative analysis between
decorated specimens with equivalent relative density to NP-Au, it
can be concluded that the strength and modulus augmentation in coated
NP-Au@Pt might primarily stem from an increase in relative density
rather than the special core–shell structure. Our findings
clarify the toughening mechanism of the core–shell nanoporous
structure, which provides a structural design strategy of ductile
nanoporous materials for sensing applications.