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Scientists unveil hybrid state where solids meet liquids
Researchers from the University of Nottingham and the University of Ulm have discovered a new hybrid state of matter that merges characteristics of solids and liquids. This unprecedented phase, observed at the atomic level, could transform the understanding of material behavior and revolutionize catalyst technology.
A new state of matter
The study, published in ACS Nano, examined molten nanoparticles of platinum, gold, and palladium placed on atomically thin graphene. Using advanced transmission electron microscopy, the team observed that while most atoms behaved as expected, some remained stationary even at temperatures far above their typical melting points. These immobile atoms acted as anchors, bonding tightly to point defects in the graphene sheet and forming confined regions within which the surrounding atoms remained in a liquid state.
Atomic corrals and extreme supercooling
This phenomenon created what scientists call “atomic corrals,” where solid atoms encircle liquid atoms, trapping them in a supercooled state. Professor Andrei Khlobystov explained that within these atomic boundaries, platinum could stay liquid at roughly 350 degrees Celsius more than 1,000 degrees below its usual freezing point.
According to Khlobystov, this marks “the first instance of corralled atoms,” a concept previously limited to photons and electrons. When the confinement eventually breaks, the liquid metal solidifies into an amorphous structure before returning to its typical crystalline form.
Implications for cleaner and smarter technology
Dr. Jesum Alves Fernandes from the University of Nottingham emphasized that discovering a confined liquid state with non-classical behavior could reshape the design of catalytic systems. Platinum-based catalysts, widely used in energy and industrial processes, might gain new self-cleaning and more durable properties as a result.
The research team, supported by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), hopes to refine this atomic confinement process to form more complex shapes. Such advancements could lead to more efficient use of rare metals and open new possibilities in sustainable technologies for energy conversion and storage.
