Synthesis of Rod-Shaped ZnO/Polysiloxane Micromotors with Patch-Dependent Motion Modes

Abstract

Inorganic particles with photocatalytic properties are excellent candidates for the fabrication of micromotors. To achieve self-propulsion, the geometric and chemical symmetries of inorganic particles should be broken. However, the synthesis of micromotors with different geometric and chemical symmetries remains challenging. In this paper, a simple synthesis method is proposed to prepare rod-shaped micromotors with different patches, leading to distinct geometric and chemical symmetries. The micromotors are composed of zinc oxide (ZnO) microrods partially patched with polysiloxanes at different positions. The patches of the micromotors can be roughly regulated by varying the amount of siloxanes used in the synthesis. These micromotors are propelled in H 2 O 2 solution by an ionic selfdiffusiophoresis mechanism, which exhibits two motion modes, including linear motion and circular motion, due to different patch positions. Moreover, the degradation of organic dyes by the micromotors depending on the patches is demonstrated.

Methamphetamine Removal from Aquatic Environments by Magnetic Microrobots with Cyclodextrin Chiral Recognition Elements

“…Consequently, they are rapidly evolving in their applications for environmental remediation. [15] In fact, their action against different residues, from organic dyes [16,17] to microplastics, [18][19][20][21] heavy metals, [22][23][24] hormones, [25] or antibiotics [26,27] among others, have been discussed. However, the utilization of microrobots for the removal of drugs of abuse remains largely unexplored.…”

Pt-TiO2 Bilayered Hemispherical Nanoshells with Tunable Pt Distribution for Chemically Self-Propelled Colloidal Motors

“…Theoretically, some intrinsic factors (e.g., motors’ shape, size, and active components and their distribution) can essentially affect their self-propulsion and applications. ,− Up to now, research studies have mostly focused on some of the above factors, which have been summarized in the literature. − For instance, spherical motors with different components, such as Pt half-spherical shell-coated SiO 2 or polystyrene microspheres ,, and Pt or Au half-spherical shell-coated TiO 2 microspheres, − were widely reported and exhibited component-dependent motion behaviors as well as good motion controllability. Rod-like colloidal motors with different bimetallic compositions (including noble metals and/or metals) show varied motion speeds and postures during motion. ,, Additionally, the size-dependent motion speed was reported, and nanoscaled colloidal motors were also explored. − Emphatically, a study on the component distribution-dependent motion behaviors of colloidal motors with specific structures could be beneficial to the optimization of motion behaviors for controlled motion and better applications and hence is more desired.…”