The ligands on the surface of nanocatalysts are generally considered to be removed before catalysis application. However, in the latest issue of ACS Catalysis, Abruña and co-workers have found that retaining ligands on nanocatalysts can promote the fuel cell performance by improving the film uniformity of the cathode layer. The ligands on the surface of nanocatalysts are generally considered to be removed before catalysis application. However, in the latest issue of ACS Catalysis, Abruña and co-workers have found that retaining ligands on nanocatalysts can promote the fuel cell performance by improving the film uniformity of the cathode layer.