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Abstract The role of interfaces and the controlling synthesis parameters of graded dealloyed nanoporous metallic materials are investigated, focusing on the dealloying front progression in complex precursor materials with multiple alloy compositions. Specifically, the effects of relative density and chemical potential on the dealloying front in sputtered bilayer copper alloy films are explored with two case studies: Cu–Al/Cu–Al and Cu–Al/Cu–Zn. Cross-sectional scanning electron (SEM) micrographs and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping trace the dealloying front across three time intervals, while top-surface and cross-sectional SEM probes the final dealloyed foam morphology. Final ligament sizes were found to be independent of the synthesis parameters (21–28 nm), due to a combination of fast reaction times and phosphate-inhibited surface diffusion of Cu atoms. The chemical potential gradient yielded faster reaction times, whereas slower reaction times and a higher at.% of Cu in the top layer of precursor material produced a more uniform morphology. Graphical abstract