Liquid metal, planet-like nanodroplets have been successfully formed with a new technique developed at RMIT University, Australia. Like our own planet Earth, the nanodroplets feature an outer "crust," a liquid metal "mantle," and a solid "core."
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Planet-like nanodroplets have an outer (oxide) shell, liquid (metal) mantle and suspended, solid central core (intermetallic). Credit: Advanced Functional Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202304248 The solid intermetallic core is the key to achieving a more homogenous mix, "locking up" the same amount of solute (i.e., the "target" metals) in each alloyed droplet. The research team achieved homogeneity via complete dissolution within the liquid-metal media, made possible by high-temperature molten salt. Their article, "Synthesis of planet-like liquid metal nanodroplets with promising properties for catalysis," was published in Advanced Functional Materials in July 2023. The discovery creates new research opportunities in fundamental liquid-metal chemistry as well as applications as diverse as flexible electronics, phase-change materials, catalysts and fuel cells, and silver-based antimicrobials. Liquid metal nanodroplets shake apart Liquid metals have emerged as a promising new frontier of chemical research in recent years, acting as a novel reaction interface for solvents and catalysts. They can also act as a functional material offering high conductivity, due to delocalized metallic bonds, and a soft, fluid interior. With emerging catalysis, sensing and nano-electronic applications relying on achieving large surface areas, synthesis of liquid metal nanodroplets has become an important focus. There are many combinations possible when alloying for specific applications, for example dissolving copper (the solute) in liquid gallium (the metallic solvent). The liquid-metal nanodroplets are created by mechanical agitation using sound waves in a solvent such as ethanol or water. However, during this "sonication" process, liquid-metal alloys have tended to "de-alloy," i.e., to…