Unique Structures and Properties of Low‐Dimensional Metallic Materials Fabricated by Electron Beam Etching

Abstract Low‐dimensional nanometals have significant applications in sensors, catalysis, data storage and batteries, attributed to their unique mechanical, optical, magnetic, and electrical properties. Exploring and tailoring the properties of low‐dimensional nanometals have become a research field in nanoscience and technology. In addition to changing the characteristics of low‐dimensional nanometallics, such as size, shape and composition, designing and refining their structures to explore and optimize the properties of low‐dimensional nanometallics are also a top scientific priority. This review examines advancements in the unique structure, behavior, and properties of low‐dimensional nanometallics fabricated via electron beam etching. Innovative structures such as hexa‐coordinate monolayer Au membranes and simple hexagonal gold have been fabricated in low‐dimensional nanogold. These structures demonstrate phase transitions to heptagonal clusters, nano‐spiral tubes and other unique behaviors. Further, they exhibit distinctive physical properties, including magnetic and conductivity. Also, changes in nanometals' interfacial structural features induce size effects and unique mechanical and catalytic properties. Such design and fabrication of low‐dimensional nanometallics with novel structures and properties show great promise for their application to electronic devices, chips, and batteries.