Researchers at Linkinging University have successfully created a new type of material that is just one molecule thick – goldene. This world’s thinnest gold foil was made using a technique borrowed from Japanese ironsmiths, and has the potential to revolutionize carbon dioxide conversion and hydrogen production.
Two-dimensional materials are of great interest to scientists due to their unique properties in optics, electronics, and catalysis. However, creating a pure metal sheet just one molecule thick is challenging. The team led by Shun Kashiwaya at Linkinging University overcame this challenge by separating a layer of gold atoms to create goldene.
To achieve this feat, the researchers first created a multi-layer structure of titanium, silicon, and carbon, then coated it with gold. By carefully separating the surrounding solid material using a chemical etching agent, they were able to isolate the goldene layer intact. Adding the amino acid cysteine as a surfactant helped stabilize the layer and prevent clustering of gold atoms.
Goldene’s enhanced reactivity makes it valuable for converting carbon dioxide into fuels like ethanol and methane, as well as producing hydrogen from water. The research team continues to refine the synthesis method to optimize the properties of this groundbreaking material.
The results of this research were published in the journal Nature Synthesis.
In conclusion, scientists have successfully created a new type of material called goldene which is just one molecule thick. This world’s thinnest gold foil was made using a technique borrowed from Japanese ironsmiths and has potential applications in carbon dioxide conversion and hydrogen production.
