Goldene: Swedish Scientists Create First Freestanding 2D Gold Sheet

May 7, 2024

Scientists at Sweden’s Linköping University have recently made a significant scientific breakthrough by creating the first free-standing sheet made of gold, which is only one atom thick. This 2D sheet, named “goldene,” is similar to graphene and marks the first time a metal has been transformed into a 2D sheet.

Production Process

To create goldene, the scientists first sandwiched a silicon atomic layer between layers of titanium carbide. Gold was then deposited onto this structure, allowing gold atoms to replace the silicon atoms. Finally, the titanium carbide layers were removed through a chemical process, resulting in an extremely thin, free-standing layer of gold.

Potential Benefits

Electronics Industry Gold is widely used in the electronics industry due to its high electrical conductivity. The development of goldene could revolutionize this industry by significantly reducing the amount of gold required in devices.
Energy-Efficient Catalysis Goldene could also be used in energy-efficient catalysis processes, such as carbon dioxide conversion, hydrogen production, and water purification.

Future Research

Scientists are now exploring the possibility of creating 2D sheets of other metals, such as iridium and platinum, using the same method. If successful, this could lead to an unprecedented revolution in material engineering.

« Previous Post Next Post »