Nanoparticle mediated micromotor motion

Abstract

In this paper, we report the utilization of nanoparticles to mediate the motion of a polymer single crystal catalytic micromotor. Micromotors have been fabricated by directly self-assembling functional nanoparticles (platinum and iron oxide nanoparticles) onto one or both sides of two-dimensional polymer single crystals. We show that the moving velocity of these micromotors in fluids can be readily tuned by controlling the nanoparticles' surface wettability and catalytic activity. A 3 times velocity increase has been achieved for a hydrophobic micromotor as opposed to the hydrophilic ones. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the catalytic activity of platinum nanoparticles inside the micromotor can be enhanced by their synergetic interactions with iron oxide nanoparticles and an electric field. Both strategies lead to dramatically increased moving velocities, with the highest value reaching ∼200 μm s(-1). By decreasing the nanoparticles' surface wettability and increasing their catalytic activity, a maximum of a ∼10-fold increase in the moving speed of the nanoparticle based micromotor can be achieved. Our results demonstrate the advantages of using nanoparticles in micromotor systems.

Geometry Design, Principles and Assembly of Micromotors

“…It is known that MOF can have an ultrahigh surface area up to several thousand square meters per gram of material (m 2 /g), which is particularly attractive for loading of a high surface area of catalysts or a reduction of consumption of expensive materials. Other impressive examples include tri-metallic microcaps [ 63 ], manganese oxide [ 64 ], carbon allotrope nanomaterials [ 65 ], copper-platinum segmented nanobattery [ 66 ] and nanoparticle-mediated motion [ 67 ]. Li et al reported Au–Fe/Ni alloy hybrid nanowire motors, which can achieve speeds up to 850 μm·s −1 or 157 BL·s −1 [ 68 ].…”

Self‐Propelled Micro‐/Nanomotors Based on Controlled Assembled Architectures

“…While the self‐diffusiophoresis mechanism represents a major contribution to drive motor motion at low fuel levels, bubble propulsion is the main driving force at high fuel levels. Li and Dong and co‐workers reported some interesting ways to modulate the motion velocity of PSC‐based MNMs through adjusting the properties of the absorbed nanoparticles . They found that the speed of the PSC motors with Pt NPs and Fe 3 O 4 NPs on only one side could be tuned by changing the surface wettability, introducing Pt–Fe 3 O 4 interactions, and applying an electric field.…”

Bottom-up assembly of polymer-based multifunctional nanomotor

“…[20] (网络版彩图) 图 9 基于高分子单晶的复合纳米马达的降解行为研究 [21] . 图 10 表面吸附了不同密度的Fe3O4NP的高分子单晶透射 电子显微镜图 [22] . http://engine.scichina.com/doi/10.1360/N032016-00159…”