Introducing Goldene: The World’s Newest Supermaterial Only One Atom Thick

A remarkable breakthrough has just expanded the frontier of materials science: the creation of goldene, a one-atom-thick sheet of gold. Much like graphene did for carbon two decades ago, goldene has the potential to revolutionize electronics, photonics, catalysis, and even medicine. Scientists have long dreamed of isolating 2D metallic sheets, but the tendency of metals to clump together at the atomic scale has posed a formidable challenge. Now, a Swedish team has succeeded.

Goldene supermaterial one-atom-thick gold sheet

Image: Visualization of goldene, a one-atom-thick gold supermaterial (Credit: Earth.com)

From Graphene to Goldene: A New Age of 2D Materials

Since the isolation of graphene in 2004, the discovery of two-dimensional (2D) materials has exploded, with scientists unveiling atom-thin layers of boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, phosphorene, and more. These materials exhibit unusual mechanical, optical, and electronic properties, making them candidates for next-generation semiconductors, batteries, and sensors.

Goldene now joins this family—but with a twist. Gold is already prized for its stability, conductivity, and biocompatibility. Flattening it into a monolayer unlocks new electron behaviors, tighter atomic bonding, and vastly increased surface area. The implications range from catalytic efficiency to advanced photonics.

How Goldene Was Made

According to the team at Linköping University in Sweden, the key was starting with a layered crystal known as a MAX phase. They engineered a compound called Ti3AuC2 by replacing silicon atoms with gold. Initially, the gold layers remained trapped between other atomic planes. The real breakthrough came when they etched away the surrounding layers using Murakami’s reagent and carefully chosen surfactants (CTAB and sulfur-bearing molecules). These agents acted as molecular spacers, preventing the gold from curling or clumping.

The result: freestanding sheets of gold one atom thick, verified under high-resolution electron microscopy. Remarkably, the atomic spacing in goldene shrank by about 9% compared with bulk gold, a direct signature of tighter bonding in two dimensions:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

Electronic and Structural Surprises

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that goldene’s atoms experience a higher binding energy (shifted by ~0.88 eV) compared to bulk gold. This altered electronic environment hints at unique conductivity and catalytic properties not possible in conventional gold structures.

Simulations suggest that the monolayer remains stable at room temperature but naturally forms ripples and curled edges—features common in 2D materials. By tuning etching strength, surfactant chemistry, and light exposure, researchers can improve both the yield and size of the goldene flakes.

Why Goldene Matters

  • Electronics & Photonics – Atom-thin gold could enhance plasmonics, nano-antennas, and quantum devices.
  • Catalysis – Goldene’s vast surface area makes it ideal for chemical conversions, such as turning waste into valuable compounds with less raw gold required.
  • Medicine – In photothermal therapy, goldene could enable highly efficient tumor-targeting treatments with minimal material.
  • Energy & Environment – Potential applications include more efficient solar harvesting and greener catalytic processes that reduce reliance on mined resources.

Because every atom in goldene sits at the surface, its efficiency per atom is dramatically higher than nanoparticles. That could reduce costs and environmental impact, a major advantage for industries where gold is essential but expensive.

A New Frontier in Supermaterials

The discovery of goldene underscores the growing realization that the future of materials science lies not just in chemistry, but in geometry, dimensionality, and surface engineering. Just as graphene reshaped the research landscape, goldene has the potential to do the same for metals.

From the nanoscale to real-world applications, the story of goldene is only beginning—but it may well become one of the defining breakthroughs of the 21st century.

Footnote: This article was prepared with the assistance of AI technologies to support science communication and outreach.

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#Goldene #2DMaterials #Supermaterials #Graphene #MaterialsScience #QuantumServerNetworks #Nanotechnology #Catalysis #Photonics #FutureMaterials #PWmat

Source: Earth.com – Introducing goldene, the world’s newest supermaterial that is one atom thick

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