Ultralong sheathed single-metal-atom chains synthesized under high pressure
Jie Zhang, Xiao Dong, Shengchao Qiu, Xin Yang, Chengyu Li, Hongfei Ma, Yunfan Fei, Qingchao Zeng, Fang Li, Yi Xie, Yan Duan, Xudong Jiang, Jingqin Xu, Puyi Lang, Jiarui Yuan, Hao Luo, Yuan Fang, Zilin Zhao, Yikun Bao, Yajie Wang, Yongjin Chen, Junliang Sun, Shangda Jiang, Ho-kwang Mao, Haiyan Zheng, Kuo LiSingle-metal-atom chains (SMACs) represent the ultimate limit of one-dimensional nanostructures. They serve as archetypal model systems for condensed matter physics and constitute fundamental building blocks for next-generation nanoelectronics. However, synthesis of SMACs suitable for practical applications remains challenging. In this work, we create micrometer-long, carbon-sheathed copper SMACs at milligram scale by compressing β-copper phthalocyanine to above 21 gigapascals. The SMACs are in atom-scale ordering, are isolable through acid-assisted exfoliation, and exhibit exceptional stability, with Cu-Cu distance confined at 2.57 angstroms. Anisotropic conductance and antiferromagnetic interactions are suggested by experimental and computational results. This work establishes a universal synthetic strategy for sheathed SMACs, positioning them as a compelling platform for prospective electronic and spintronic applications.