Discover the thinnest sheet of gold ever created. This groundbreaking material could revolutionize electronics and catalytic reactions.
Goldene: The Thinnest Sheet of Gold Ever Created
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Scientists have done it again – they have created a thinnest sheet of gold. A breakthrough was reported in the April 16th issue of Nature Synthesis. It could majorly impact electronics and chemical reactions.
Goldene is a material that is only one atom thick. It is similar to other two-dimensional materials, such as graphene and phosphorus. Despite its thinness, this single layer of gold could change the way we use this precious metal.
One of the most exciting possibilities is its potential use as a catalyst. Currently, gold is used in many catalytic reactions due to its unique properties. However, with goldene being just one atom thick, it could potentially be used in smaller quantities without compromising its effectiveness. This would make it a more economically viable option for various industries.
Also Read: Modern Alchemy – Transforming Lead into Gold!
Making of the Thinnest Sheet of Gold
Creating 2-D sheets with metals like iron and gold has proven to be a challenge for scientists. These atoms tend to clump together rather than forming flat sheets like nonmetal elements do. The team at Linköping University in Sweden discovered a solution. They first created a three-dimensional material. This material is called titanium gold carbide.
The next step involved removing the material around the gold. They used a solution based on potassium for this. This process left behind only a thin layer of gold atoms, known as goldene. But as expected with such delicate structures, the sheets started curling up on themselves. To keep them flat and usable, the team added a surfactant to their etching solution.
Also Read: Emerging Technologies in Materials Science
The team is now looking to apply this same technique to create 2-D sheets of other metals like iridium and platinum. This could open up a whole new world of possibilities for these valuable materials.
Goldene might show unusual properties like other thin materials. This makes it an exciting research topic for scientists. With its potential use as a catalyst and in various other applications, the future looks bright for this newly discovered material.
Also Read: Old Milk to Extract Gold from E-Waste
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on research published in Nature Synthesis on April 16, 2024. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of ENTECH Magazine or its affiliates.
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Charudatta Pathak was a student at St. Aloysius High School in Bhusawal, established in 1874, making it one of India’s oldest convent institutions. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from SSVPS College of Engineering, Dhule in 1995, demonstrating exceptional academic achievement. Thereafter, he launched his career as a CNC programmer in a toolroom. He has utilized FANUC, Deckel, Maho, and Mikron controllers to operate 2-axis and 3-axis machines for the fabrication of jigs, fixtures, dies, and molds. He commenced his career as an academic in 1996, when he assumed the role of lecturer at SSVPS College of Engineering, Dhule. Additionally, he earned his post-graduate degree in CAD/CAM from L. D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad, in 2000, and then acquired a Ph.D. from COEP in 2011 while concurrently engaged in teaching. Until 2023, he occupied many academic roles, including lecturer, assistant professor, professor, dean, principal, director, and vice chancellor at both public and private universities throughout India. From 2008 to 2010, he served as the project lead in the CAE department of a European multinational firm. During his 28-year professional tenure, he identified a need for dependable books targeted at students in grades 8 to 12, particularly for nascent career planning. He founded ENTECH Digital Magazine, a free monthly publication available on entechonline.com and magzter.com. Teens with a strong interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) who aspire to pursue careers in these fields may find ENTECH Digital Magazine beneficial.
