Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Copolymeric Colloids as Multicolor Emission, Fuel‐Free, UV‐ and Visible‐Light‐Actuated Micropumps

Abstract

Light‐actuated micromachines are of enormous interest due to their ability to harvest light for triggering catalytic reactions to acquire free energy for mechanical work. This work presents an inorganic–organic hybrid copolymeric poly(cyclotriphosphazene‐co‐barbituric acid) colloid, which displays multiwavelength excited emission and catalytic activities, exploiting the unique structural, chemical, and optical features of inorganic heterocyclic ring hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene and organic co‐monomer barbituric acid. Specifically, this work reveals particle‐resolved unusual multicolor emission under excitation with the same or different wavelengths of light using fluorescence microscopy. The result is rationalized by density functional theory studies. In this work, the authors find that emission is coincident with fluorometric measurements, and the photocatalytic properties are anticipated from the overall band structure. This work also demonstrates the use of these colloids as micropumps, which can be remotely activated by UV, blue, and green lights under fuel‐free conditions, and ascribe the behavior to ionic diffusiophoresis arising from light‐triggered generation of H+ and other charged species. This work offers a new class of polymeric colloids with multiple‐wavelength excited emission and catalytic activities, which is expected to open new opportunities in the design of fuel‐free, photo‐actuated micromachines and active systems.

Fluid Field Modulation in Mass Transfer for Efficient Photocatalysis

“…Based on the investigations on mass transfer process via theoretical simulation calculation, more and more photocatalysts with ingenious structures and subtle functions were developed to facilitate photocatalytic activity via manipulating kinetic process of mass transfer. [142][143][144] Among them, photocatalyst-based micro/nanomotors and cilia-like photocatalyst films with viable structure design have aroused intensive attentions, exhibiting great potential in promoting mass transfer and thus enhancing photocatalytic performance, which will be summarized and discussed below. [145,146]…”

Multistimuli-responsive microrobots: A comprehensive review

“…In a typical light-activated Janus micromotor, propulsion is initiated by shining light on the surface of a micromotor. Depending on the reaction conditions, the light can mainly trigger three kind of propulsion mechanisms: self-diffusiophoresis ( Chen et al, 2017 ; Basharat et al, 2022 ), self-electrophoresis ( Dong et al, 2017 ), or self-thermophoresis ( Jiang et al, 2010 ; Xuan et al, 2016 ). A concentration gradient of the products across the Janus particle leads to the self-diffusiophoretic propulsion ( Figure 5A ).…”