GOLDENE - SCI & TECH
News: Why researchers have created
Goldene, a sheet of gold that is only one atom thick
What's in the news?
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For the first time, researchers have created a
free-standing sheet of gold that is only one atom thick and named it as
Goldene.
Goldene:
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It is a 2-dimensional
allotrope of gold, which means it consists of a single layer of gold atoms
arranged in a two-dimensional structure.
Unique Features:
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It exhibits semiconductor
properties when fabricated into this single-atom-thick layer. Typically,
gold is known for its excellent conductivity, but it behaves differently in its
goldene form.
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These sheets of goldene are roughly 100 nanometres thick (a nanometre is a billionth of a
metre), approximately 400 times thinner than the thinnest commercially
available gold leaf.
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It has a unique quality where its structure is 9% smaller compared to regular gold.
How is it Created?
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Goldene has been created by first placing a single
layer of silicon between titanium carbide layers.
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Then gold is added which diffuses into the
structure and replaces the silicon, forming a monolayer of gold.
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This was done with the help of an age-old Japanese
technique using a chemical popularly known as Murakami’s reagent. This chemical is also used to forge katanas and
high-quality knives.
Potential Applications:
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Electronics Industry Revolution: Goldene ultra-thin and
lightweight properties could significantly reduce the amount of gold needed in
electronics.
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Catalysis: As a catalyst, goldene offers economic benefits
over traditional three-dimensional gold due to its efficiency and reduced
material usage. This could be useful in various chemical processes.
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Extension to Other Metals: The technique developed
to create goldene could also be adapted to produce two-dimensional sheets of
other precious metals like iridium and platinum, expanding the range of
applications.
● Special Properties for Advanced Applications: Goldene has a unique structure where each atom connects to six others, not twelve. This could lead to specific uses in turning carbon dioxide into other materials, producing hydrogen, and purifying water.