Water-Driven Micromotors for Rapid Photocatalytic Degradation of Biological and Chemical Warfare Agents

Threats of chemical and biological warfare agents (CBWA) represent a serious global concern and require rapid and efficient neutralization methods. We present a highly effective micromotor strategy for photocatalytic degradation of CBWA based on light-activated TiO2/Au/Mg microspheres that propel au...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ACS nano 2014-11, Vol.8 (11), p.11118-11125
Main Authors: Li, Jinxing, Singh, Virendra V, Sattayasamitsathit, Sirilak, Orozco, Jahir, Kaufmann, Kevin, Dong, Renfeng, Gao, Wei, Jurado-Sanchez, Beatriz, Fedorak, Yuri, Wang, Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthrax
Biological
Biological Warfare Agents
Catalysis
Chemical warfare
Chemical Warfare Agents - chemistry
Degradation
Gold
Magnesium
Micromotors
Microspheres
Photocatalysis
Photochemical Processes
Propulsion
Titanium
Titanium dioxide
Water - chemistry
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Summary:Threats of chemical and biological warfare agents (CBWA) represent a serious global concern and require rapid and efficient neutralization methods. We present a highly effective micromotor strategy for photocatalytic degradation of CBWA based on light-activated TiO2/Au/Mg microspheres that propel autonomously in natural water and obviate the need for external fuel, decontaminating reagent, or mechanical agitation. The activated TiO2/Au/Mg micromotors generate highly reactive oxygen species responsible for the efficient destruction of the cell membranes of the anthrax simulant Bacillus globigii spore, as well as rapid and complete in situ mineralization of the highly persistent organophosphate nerve agents into nonharmful products. The water-driven propulsion of the TiO2/Au/Mg micromotors facilitates efficient fluid transport and dispersion of the photogenerated reactive oxidative species and their interaction with the CBWA. Coupling of the photocatalytic surface of the micromotors and their autonomous water-driven propulsion thus leads to a reagent-free operation which holds a considerable promise for diverse “green” defense and environmental applications.
ISSN:1936-0851
1936-086X
DOI:10.1021/nn505029k