The worlds thinnest gold with only two atoms thick

Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed the thinnest gold ever created. The gold has a thickness of 0.47 nanometer, about a million times thinner than a human nail.

Since the material is only two atoms thick, it is counted as 2D material. Because there are only atoms at the surface, this could have wide application in the medical device and electronics industry. Ultra-thin gold could also be used to accelerate chemical reactions in various industries, thanks to tests showing that it is ten times more effective as a catalytic substrate than existing gold nanoparticles.

Researchers of this new 2D material believe that it could also be used in the formation of artificial enzymes. Ultra-thin gold could be used in medical diagnostic tests at the place of treatment. In addition, the material could also be used in water purification systems.

Dr. Sunjie Ye, lead author of the research paper of the study, said, "This work is a historic feat … Not only does it open the possibility that gold can be used more effectively in existing technologies. , it provides a way that scientists can use materials to develop other 2D metals … This method could innovate in the manufacture of nanomaterials. "

In order to start synthesizing the 2D gold leaf, the researchers use an aqueous solution while adding chloroauric acid, an inorganic substance containing gold. The chloroauric acid solution is reduced to its metallic form before the addition of a "containment agent" to encourage the formation of gold in a sheet of two atoms thick.

Professor Stephen Evans, head of the Leeds-based molecular and nanoscale research group, believes that there could be many practical applications of the new nano-gold sheet.

Evans said, "Gold is an extremely effective catalyst. Because nano-leaves are so thin, just about all the gold atoms play a role in catalysis. This means that the process is very efficient … Our data suggest that the industry could achieve the same effect by using a lesser amount of gold, which has economic benefits when you talk about a precious metal . "