Catalytic Iridium-Based Janus Micromotors Powered by Ultralow Levels of Chemical Fuels

We describe catalytic micromotors powered by remarkably low concentrations of chemical fuel, down to the 0.0000001% level. These Janus micromotors rely on an iridium hemispheric layer for the catalytic decomposition of hydrazine in connection to SiO2 spherical particles. The micromotors are self-pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Chemical Society 2014-02, Vol.136 (6), p.2276-2279
Main Authors: Gao, Wei, Pei, Allen, Dong, Renfeng, Wang, Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofuels
Catalysis
Hydrazines - chemistry
Iridium - chemistry
Molecular Motor Proteins - chemistry
Nanospheres - chemistry
Particle Size
Silicon - chemistry
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Summary:We describe catalytic micromotors powered by remarkably low concentrations of chemical fuel, down to the 0.0000001% level. These Janus micromotors rely on an iridium hemispheric layer for the catalytic decomposition of hydrazine in connection to SiO2 spherical particles. The micromotors are self-propelled at a very high speed (of ∼20 body lengths s–1) in a 0.001% hydrazine solution due to osmotic effects. Such a low fuel concentration represents a 10 000-fold decrease in the level required for common catalytic nanomotors. The attractive propulsion performance, efficient catalytic energy-harvesting, environmentally triggered swarming behavior, and magnetic control of the new Janus micromotors hold considerable promise for diverse practical applications.
ISSN:0002-7863
1520-5126
DOI:10.1021/ja413002e