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Source-This post on Development of Goldene is based on the article “GOLDENE: A sheet of gold that is only one atom thick” published in “The Indian Express” on 6th May 2024.
Why in the News?
For the first time, scientists have successfully developed a free-standing, single-atom-thick sheet of gold. This marks the first instance of a metal being transformed into a 2D sheet. This breakthrough paves the way for numerous exciting opportunities in the future.
About goldene
| Aspect | Description |
| About Goldene | Goldene 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 | i) 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. ii) 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. |
| How is it created? | i) Goldene has been created by first placing a single layer of silicon between titanium carbide layers. ii) Then gold is added which diffused into the structure and replaced the silicon, forming a monolayer of gold. iii) This was done with the help of an age-old Japanese technique using chemical popularly known as Murakami’s reagent. This chemical is also used to forge katanas and high-quality knives. |
| Potential applications | i) Electronics Industry Revolution: Goldene ultra-thin and lightweight properties could significantly reduce the amount of gold needed in electronics. ii) 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. iii) 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. iv) 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. |
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology
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