Goldene: The First Free-Standing 2D Metal

For the first time, researchers have created a free-standing sheet of gold that is only one atom thick. This makes gold the first metal to be drawn into (freestanding) 2D sheets  which opens up many exciting possibilities for the future.

Goldene's Characteristics:

1. 2D Metal: Goldene is the first free-standing 2D metal, consisting of a single layer of gold atoms.
2. Fabrication Process:
   1. Scientists start with a base material called titanium carbide (a very strong ceramic).
   2. They place a single layer (monolayer) of silicon atoms between layers of the titanium carbide. This creates a sort of silicon "sandwich".
   3. Gold atoms were deposited on top of this structure, diffusing into the material and replacing the silicon atoms to form a trapped monolayer of gold atoms.
   4. Subsequently, the titanium carbide layers were etched away using Murakami's reagent, resulting in a free-standing, one-atom-thick layer of gold.
3. Dimensions: Goldene sheets have a thickness of approximately 100 nanometers, making them roughly 400 times thinner than the thinnest commercially available gold leaf.
4. Potential Applications:
   a. Electronics industry.
   b. Carbon dioxide conversion, hydrogen-generating catalysis, selective production of value-added chemicals, hydrogen production, and water purification, among others.
5. Significance: Goldene holds promise as an efficient catalyst due to its economic viability compared to thicker, three-dimensional gold.

What is Murakami's Reagent?

1. Murakami's reagent is an etching reagent specifically designed for investigating the structure of iron-carbon-chromium alloys.
2. It comprises a solution of 10 g potassium ferricyanide, 10 g potassium hydroxide, and 100 mL water.

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