Successfully manufactured the world's thinnest gold leaf

The University of Leeds expert team created thin gold leafs of one million human fingernails, which can be used in electronics and medicine.

Gold leaves with a thickness of 0.47 nanometers were successfully built in the laboratory, according to a study published in the Advanced Science journal on August 6. Based on shape, scientists call it "golden algae nano" . This is a 2D gold leaf, consisting of only two atomic layers superimposed with a thickness of one million human fingernails.

Ultra-thin gold foil consists of only two layers of atoms.(Photo: CNN).

Although very thin, it is 10 times more effective than the current gold nanoparticles, the team said.Nano gold particles are 3D with atoms forming blocks, while new gold leaves are 2D and contain only surface atoms, no atomic layers in between.

Newly produced yellow leaves are so small that they will actually turn green when viewed in water. Therefore, the image of the study was artificially colored. The team created this nano gold leaf by adding a chemical to HAuCl ₄ acid containing gold and water.

Gold has many uses. New ultra-thin gold leaves can help develop artificial enzymes for use in rapid diagnostic tests or water filtration systems. Gold also helps speed up chemical reactions. It is anti-wear, good conductive and has no harmful side effects like platinum when used in medical equipment or transporting drugs. With flexibility, gold foil can be used to produce curved screens or e-ink screens.

"This is an important achievement. It not only opens up the possibility of using gold more effectively in today's devices, but it can also help scientists develop other 2D metals. This method can innovating the production of nanomaterials, " Sunjie Ye, the lead author of the study, the scientist at Leeds University, said.

"Gold is a strong catalyst. Nano leaves are very thin so almost all gold atoms are active in the catalytic process, meaning the efficiency will be very high. According to our data, the effect is still the same even if used. Use less gold, bring economic benefits because this is a precious metal, " said Stephen Evans, co-author of the study.

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