According to theoretical studies, narrow graphene nanoribbons with atomically precise armchair edges and widths of o2 nm have a bandgap comparable to that in silicon (1.1 eV), which makes them potentially promising for logic applications. Different top-down fabrication approaches typically yield ribbons with width 410 nm and have limited control over their edge structure. Here we demonstrate a novel bottom-up approach that yields gram quantities of high-aspect-ratio graphene nanoribbons, which are only B1 nm wide and have atomically smooth armchair edges. These ribbons are shown to have a large electronic bandgap of B1.3 eV, which is significantly higher than any value reported so far in experimental studies of graphene nanoribbons prepared by top-down approaches. These synthetic ribbons could have lengths of 4100 nm and self-assemble in highly ordered few-micrometer-long 'nanobelts' that can be visualized by conventional microscopy techniques, and potentially used for the fabrication of electronic devices.

Liver fibrosis occurs as a consequence of chronic injuries from viral infections, metabolic disorders, and alcohol abuse.

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