Free-standing two-dimensional Au films

Free-standing two-dimensional (FS-2D) materials of covalent or ionic bonds can be prepared through mechanical exfoliation by virtue of their intrinsic layered crystal structures. Here, following this strategy, it was reported the fabrication of large-area FS-2D Au films with controllable lattice orientations via an electrochemical hydrogen-detaching method. It was further characterized the catalytic properties of FS-2D Au. The (111)-oriented FS-2D Au with 20 nm in thickness shows a catalytic conversion up to 43.8% for the oxidation of cyclohexane as a model reaction system, a result of more than double of generally reported values. The exceptionally high catalytic activity could be attributed to the flexible structure of the FS-2D Au catalyst, which differs from the rigid structure of general catalysts. The results give useful implications for large-scale productions of a variety of FS-2D metals with controllable orientations, by which their applications may not be confined to catalysis chemistry.