2D Nanomaterials Wrapped Janus Micromotors with Built-in Multiengines for Bubble, Magnetic, and Light Driven Propulsion

Abstract

Graphene oxide, graphdyine oxide, and blackphosphorus coated micromotors integrating "three engines" for motion control using different stimuli such as chemical fuel, light, and magnetic fields are described. Micromotors can be massproduced by wrapping gold-sputtered polystyrene microspheres with the 2D nanomaterials, followed by simultaneous assembly of Pt or MnO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) as bubble (catalytic)-engines, Fe 2 O 3 NPs as magnetic engines, and quantum dots (QDs) as light engines. The design and composition of micromotors are key to get the desired propulsion performance. In bubble-magnetic and bubble-light mode, a built-in acceleration system allows micromotor speed to be increased up to 3.0 and 1.5 times after application of the magnetic field or light irradiation, respectively. In the bubble-magnetic-light mode, such speed increase can be combined in a single unit for on-demand braking and accelerating systems. Fluid dynamics simulations illustrate that such adaptative behavior and improved propulsion efficiency is produced by a better distribution of the fuel and thus energy propelling the micromotor by activation of the magnetic and/or light engines. The new micromotors described here, which combine multiple engines with functional nanomaterials, hold considerable promise to develop novel nanovehicles with adaptative behavior to perform complex tasks in lab-on-a-chips or dynamic micropatterning applications.

From Passive Inorganic Oxides to Active Matters of Micro/Nanomotors

“…Multiple drive modes could be addressed once integrated different functional components into one nanomachine. As shown in Figure 5C, three composite‐driven systems were built with MnO 2 NPs as “bubble (catalytic)‐engines,” Fe 2 O 3 NPs as “magnetic engines,” and quantum dots (QDs) as “light engines.” [ 76 ] Due to the bubble cavitation effect activated by the magnetic and/or light engines, the micromotors exhibit adaptive behavior and improved propulsion efficient become of a better distribution of fuel around the motors. In bubble‐magnetic and bubble‐light mode, a “built‐in” acceleration system allows to increase micromotor speed up to 3.0 and 1.5 times after application of the magnetic field or light irradiation, respectively.…”

Dual‐Propelled Lanbiotic Based Janus Micromotors for Selective Inactivation of Bacterial Biofilms

“…Micromotors were synthetized using ar ecent approach described by our research group. [25] Briefly,20mmpolystyrene spheres were coated with athin gold layer by sputter coating. Subsequently,the micromotors were incubated with sulfhydryl modified GO for attachment to the gold layer via thiol linkages.T he amount and time for GO incubation was judiciously optimized so asmall Au patch was left exposed for preferential growth of Pt and iron oxide nanoparticles, imparting thus the Janus character in the micromotor for directional propulsion (for further details,see the supporting information).…”

Dual‐Propelled Lanbiotic Based Janus Micromotors for Selective Inactivation of Bacterial Biofilms

“…Micromotors were synthetized using a recent approach described by our research group [25] . Briefly, 20 μm polystyrene spheres were coated with a thin gold layer by sputter coating.…”