Catalytic iridium-based Janus micromotors powered by ultralow levels of chemical fuels

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Feb 12;136(6):2276-9. doi: 10.1021/ja413002e. Epub 2014 Feb 3.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels*
  • Catalysis
  • Hydrazines / chemistry
  • Iridium / chemistry*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / chemistry
  • Nanospheres / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Silicon / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Hydrazines
  • Molecular Motor Proteins
  • hydrazine
  • Iridium
  • Silicon