Scientists have created a world record by producing the thinnest gold foil known as “goldene”. It is just one atom thick and offers various applications in carbon dioxide conversion and hydrogen production. The researchers used a 100-year-old technique to achieve this breakthrough, which involved separating layers of gold using a method developed by Japanese ironsmiths.
The results of the study, published in the journal Nature Synthesis, demonstrate the unique optical, electronic, and catalytic properties of two-dimensional materials like goldene. These materials have a high surface area relative to volume, making them behave differently from bulk solids. However, creating a pure metal sheet just one molecule thick has proven to be more challenging than other 2D materials discovered since graphene in 2004.
Shun Kashiwaya and his colleagues at Linköping University in Sweden successfully separated a layer of gold for the first time. They developed a multi-layer structure of titanium, silicon, and carbon and coated the surface with gold to disperse it into nanosized particles. By carefully separating the surrounding solid mass using a 100-year-old chemical etching method, they were able to isolate the goldene layer intact.
The research team further refined their method by experimenting with different reaction conditions and etching solution densities. They discovered that adding cysteine as a surfactant helps stabilize the separated layer and prevent gold atoms from forming nanoparticles. The resulting goldene layer is up to 100 nanometers long and significantly thinner than regular gold leaf.
Goldene holds promise for applications in converting carbon dioxide into fuels like ethanol and methane as well as producing hydrogen from water due to its enhanced chemical reactivity. The researchers are continuing to optimize their synthesis method for further advancements in this groundbreaking material.
In conclusion, scientists have successfully created the world’s thinnest gold foil known as “goldene,” which has various applications in carbon dioxide conversion and hydrogen production. The research team used a 100-year-old technique to separate layers of gold using a method developed by Japanese ironsmiths. This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for researchers studying two-dimensional materials with enhanced optical, electronic, and catalytic properties.
The study highlights how scientists are continuously exploring new ways to create ultra-thin materials with unique properties that can revolutionize industries such as energy production and environmental conservation. With further research and development, these materials could pave the way for new technologies that will help us overcome some of the biggest challenges facing our world today.
Overall, this discovery marks an important milestone in material science research that could lead to significant advancements in fields ranging from electronics to renewable energy production.
