Researchers from the University of Linceping in Sweden have successfully created a gold plate with a thickness of only one atom. This groundbreaking material, known as “Golden”, exhibits unique properties and holds immense potential for various applications.
The achievement of producing such an ultrathin film from gold atoms was made possible through the utilization of an ancient Japanese forging technique involving etching with a Murakami reagent. This innovative method proved effective in removing carbon deposits and altering the color of steel.
Shun, a researcher from the University of Lincheping, emphasized the remarkable transformations observed when substances are reduced to extremely small thicknesses, likening the phenomena to those seen with graphene. Gold, typically known as a metal, displays semiconductor properties once its thickness reaches a single atom.
To create Golden, scientists sandwiched gold between layers of titanium and carbon on a three-dimensional base. The intricate process involved significant challenges, with a fortuitous accident playing a central role in the discovery. Initially, the team experimented with titanium-carbide ceramics coated with thin silicon plates, aiming to apply a layer of gold on the ceramic surface. However, exposure to high temperatures led to the replacement of the silicon layer with gold, resulting in the formation of titano-gold-carbide.
The ultrathin gold in its two-dimensional form possesses two free connections, presenting vast opportunities for its utilization in catalysis, hydrogen production, water purification, communications, and more. Additionally, the use of Golden could substantially reduce the amount of gold required for modern technological advancements, marking a significant advancement in material science.
The researchers at the University of Lyncheopinge are now exploring the feasibility of developing similarly ultra-thin materials based on other noble metals and investigating their potential applications. The detailed findings of the study have been published in the scientific journal Nature Synthesis.