Colloidal self-assembly of catalytic copper nanoclusters into ultrathin ribbons

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) with diameter below 2 nm are promising catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). However, the high surface energy of ultra-small clusters leads to structural instability, shedding doubt on practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate a self-assembly method to improve the durability of catalytic metal NCs, employing copper NCs capped by 1-dodecanethiol (DT) to form free-standing ribbons in colloidal solution. By tuning the cooperation between the dipolar attraction between Cu NCs and the van der Waals attraction between DT, the thickness of ribbons is adjusted to a single NC scale. Such free-standing ribbons exhibit excellent catalytic activity and durability in ORR.