Mica nanosheets synthesized via liquid Ga embrittlement: demonstrating enhanced CO capture

We introduce a pioneering approach to synthesize 2D mica nanosheets by leveraging the liquid gallium embrittlement mechanism, effectively addressing the challenges involved in exfoliating mica due to its strong non-van-der-Waals bonds. To gain insights into the underlying mechanisms, including energy barrier determination in liquid metal embrittlement and biaxial straining, and to provide valuable guidance for designing 2D nanosheet synthesis, we propose an integrated model that incorporates first-principles calculations, biaxial straining principles, and experimental design. Our experimental findings demonstrate the successful exfoliation of mica nanosheets with lateral dimensions ranging from 100 to 300 nm and thicknesses ranging from 1 to 15 nm. Remarkably, we found a significant reduction in resistance, from 50 ± 8 MΩ for natural mica to 28 ± 10 MΩ for Ga-intercalated mica. Moreover, when compared to natural mica, these 2D mica nanosheets exhibit a remarkable 76% enhancement in CO capture efficiency. This work advances the synthesis of 2D materials and contributes to a comprehensive understanding and effective management of liquid metal embrittlement phenomena, paving the way for a groundbreaking approach to 2D structure synthesis.