NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — Researchers at Stanford University have successfully created and stabilized a rare form of gold that has lost two negatively charged electrons, known as Au2+. This unique form of gold is found in halide perovskite, a crystalline material that has great potential for a variety of applications, including solar cells, light sources and electronic components.
What’s even more remarkable about this discovery is that Au2+ perovskite can be easily synthesized using off-the-shelf components at room temperature.
A study published recently in the journal Nature Chemistry, has attracted significant attention from the scientific community. Hemamala Karunadasa, assistant professor of chemistry at Stanford University and senior author of the study, expressed her surprise that she was able to create a stable material containing Au2+.
She said: “Creating a first-of-its-kind Au2+ perovskite is exciting. The gold atoms in the perovskite are very similar to the copper atoms in high-temperature superconductors, and heavy atoms with unpaired electrons, such as Au2+, exhibit cool magnetic effects not seen in light ones.” atoms.”
The gold-halide perovskite structure consists of elongated gold-chloride octahedra in which gold (Au) is surrounded by six adjacent chlorine (Cl) atoms. This unique structure is the basis for the material’s intriguing properties to emerge. The study also found that cesium (Cs) atoms and additional chlorine (Cl) atoms play a role in stabilizing the Au2+ perovskite.
Gold has long been valued for its rarity and unique properties, including malleability and chemical inertness. The distinctive rich hue of gold in its pure form further enhances its appeal.
However, the rarity of Au2+ can be explained by a relativistic effect, which is explained by Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. When objects move at high speeds, approaching the speed of light, they become heavier. This phenomenon limits the possibility of Au2+ occurring in nature.
The discovery of this rare form of gold opens up new opportunities for scientific research and technological progress. Kurt Lindquist, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at Princeton University, emphasized that Au2+ perovskite could open the door to exciting new advances.
“Halide perovskites have very attractive properties for many everyday applications, so we sought to expand this family of materials. The unprecedented Au2+ perovskite could open up intriguing new possibilities,” said Lindquist.
Experts in the field also expressed their views on the significance of this discovery. Dr. Sarah Tolbert, professor of chemistry and materials science at the University of California, praised the results of the study, saying:
“This work is a real achievement. The synthesis of stable Au2+ perovskite is a major achievement that will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the development of materials science.”
The implications of this discovery extend beyond scientific research. The unique properties of Au2+ perovskite have the potential to revolutionize various industries, including renewable energy and electronics. Solar cells based on this material can achieve higher levels of efficiency, and light sources and electronic components can achieve higher performance.
As scientists continue to explore the possible applications and properties of Au2+ perovskite, it is clear that this discovery is a major milestone in the field of materials science. The ability to create and stabilize such a rare form of gold opens up new opportunities for innovation and technological advancement.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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