Synthesis of Goldene: Single-Atom Layer Gold With Interesting Properties
The synthesis of single-atom layer versions of a range of atoms is currently all the hype, with graphene probably the most well-known example of this. These monolayers are found to have a range of mechanical (e.g. hardness), electrical (conduction) and thermal properties that are very different from the other forms of these materials. The major difficulty in creating monolayers is finding a way that works reliably and which can scale. Now researchers have found a way to make monolayers of gold – called goldene – which allows for the synthesis of relatively large sheets of this two-dimensional structure. In the research paper by [Shun Kashiwaya] and colleagues (with accompanying press release ) as published in Nature Synthesis, the synthesis method is described. Unlike graphene synthesis, this does not involve Scotch tape and a stack of graphite, but rather the wet-etching of Ti 3 Cu 2 away from Ti 3 AuC 2 , after initially substituting the Si in Ti 3 SiC 2 with Au. At the end of t