Nanorods based on mesoporous silica containing iron oxide nanoparticles as catalytic nanomotors: study of motion dynamics

Self-propelled particles and, in particular, those based on mesoporous silica, have raised considerable interest due to their potential applications in the environmental and biomedical fields thanks to their biocompatibility, tunable surface chemistry and large porosity. Although spherical particles...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2020-11
Main Authors: Mestre, Rafael, Cadefau, Núria, Hortelão, Ana C, Grzelak, Jan, Gich, Martí, Roig, Anna, Sánchez, Samuel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biocompatibility
Chassis
Enhanced diffusion
Hydrogen peroxide
Iron oxides
Micromotors
Nanoparticles
Nanorods
Nanotechnology devices
Porosity
Silicon dioxide
Tin
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Summary:Self-propelled particles and, in particular, those based on mesoporous silica, have raised considerable interest due to their potential applications in the environmental and biomedical fields thanks to their biocompatibility, tunable surface chemistry and large porosity. Although spherical particles have been widely used to fabricate nano- and micromotors, not much attention has been paid to other geometries, such as nanorods. Here, we report the fabrication of self-propelled mesoporous silica nanorods (MSNRs) that move by the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by a sputtered Pt layer, Fe2O3 nanoparticles grown within the mesopores, or the synergistic combination of both. We show that motion can occur in two distinct sub-populations characterized by two different motion dynamics, namely enhanced diffusion or directional propulsion, especially when both catalysts are used. These results open up the possibility of using MSNRs as chassis for the fabrication of self-propelled particles for the environmental or biomedical fields.
ISSN:2331-8422