Disclaimer: This article is an original summary of information published via SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, European XFEL, and Carnegie Science press releases and is provided for informational purposes only. This article describes the results of a scientific article published in the journal Nature Chemistry under doi:10.1038/s41557-025-01234-5.
Scientists Create a Novel Gold Compound: Gold Hydride
A team of researchers has successfully synthesized a previously unknown gold compound — gold hydride — under extreme high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, overturning the long-held belief that gold is completely chemically inert. The findings, led by scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in collaboration with the European XFEL, provide new insights into chemical bonding and materials behavior under extreme conditions.
Experimental Approach
To create gold hydride, researchers placed gold and hydrogen in a diamond anvil cell, applying pressures equivalent to those deep inside the Earth’s mantle. They then exposed the sample to intense X-ray laser pulses at the European XFEL facility. The combination of pressure and laser irradiation forced hydrogen atoms into the gold lattice, resulting in the formation of a solid gold hydride compound — a reaction never previously observed in laboratory settings.
Characterization and Findings
- The newly synthesized gold hydride exhibits unexpected chemical reactivity, revealing that gold can form stable compounds under extreme conditions.
- Structural analysis confirmed the integration of hydrogen into the gold lattice, demonstrating novel bonding behavior.
- The compound is stable under the high-pressure environment but decomposes under normal atmospheric pressure, providing insights into pressure-dependent chemistry.
Significance and Implications
- Challenges the traditional view of gold as an inert element, expanding our understanding of noble metal chemistry.
- Opens avenues for exploring high-pressure materials, potentially leading to the design of new catalytic systems or superhard materials.
- May inform planetary science research by providing clues about how gold behaves under the extreme pressures found in planetary interiors.
Publication and Funding
The research was published in Nature Chemistry (2025) and highlights a collaborative effort between multiple international laboratories. Funding and support were provided by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, European XFEL, and Carnegie Science.