The deliberate surface modification of nanocatalysts with organic ligands has recently emerged as a promising strategy to boost their efficiency, durability, and/or selectivity in key electrocatalytic processes. The interface between the metallic interface and the immobilized ligands promotes high electrocatalytic activity. Herein, the oxygen reduction reaction activity of gold nanoparticles functionalized with a covalently bound monolayer of calix[4]arenes is compared with commercially available gold nanoparticles, classically stabilized through electrostatic adsorption of citrates onto the gold surfaces. Nanocatalysts coated by calix[4]arenes show enhanced selectivity and stability compared to their citrate‐stabilized counterparts. These nanohybrids exhibit excellent activity with a dominant 4‐electron reduction of O₂ with good electrocatalytic performances along with a high robustness under operation as revealed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses.

中文翻译：

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用杯[4]芳烃单层功能化金纳米粒子，以提高ORR电催化的选择性和稳定性。

最近已经出现了用有机配体对纳米催化剂进行有意的表面改性，作为在关键的电催化过程中提高其效率，耐用性和/或选择性的一种有前途的策略。金属界面和固定的配体之间的界面促进了高电催化活性。在此，将与杯[4]芳烃共价键结合的单层功能化的金纳米粒子与市售的金纳米粒子的氧还原反应活性进行了比较，这些粒子通常通过柠檬酸盐在金表面上的静电吸附而稳定。相较于柠檬酸盐稳定的对应物，用杯[4]芳烃包被的纳米催化剂显示出更高的选择性和稳定性。这些纳米杂化物表现出出色的活性，并显着降低了O _2的4电子能 X射线光电子能谱分析表明，该催化剂具有良好的电催化性能以及较高的运行稳定性。