- Researchers at Sweden’s Linköping University have successfully created a free-standing sheet of gold, just one atom thick, termed “Goldene.”
- This marks the first time a metal has been formulated into freestanding 2D sheets, presenting novel opportunities for future applications.
- While graphene, an atom-thin material made of carbon, has been known since 2004, producing atom-thin metallic sheets proved challenging due to metals’ propensity to form nanoparticles.
- Goldene, approximately 100 nanometres thick, holds immense potential for various applications, particularly in the electronics industry.
- Its economic viability and high conductivity make it an attractive catalyst.
- Additionally, the technique used to create goldene can be applied to other metallic objects, with ongoing research focusing on iridium and platinum.
- Goldene’s unique properties, stemming from its 2D structure, open avenues for diverse applications such as carbon dioxide conversion, hydrogen-generating catalysis, selective production of chemicals, and water purification.
- This breakthrough underscores the continuous exploration of materials at the atomic scale, paving the way for innovative advancements in science and technology.
Dig Deeper: Learn about Nanomaterial and Graphene
