Solution‐Synthesized Multifunctional Janus Nanotree Microswimmer

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 31; no. 48
• Main Authors: Dai, Jia, Cheng, Xiang, Li, Xiaofeng, Wang, Zhisheng, Wang, Yufeng, Zheng, Jing, Liu, Jun, Chen, Jiawei, Wu, Changjin, Tang, Jinyao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Decontamination; Electric fields; Electrophoresis; gold‐loaded titania‐silica nanotrees; Materials science; microswimmer; Near infrared radiation; Radiation; Silicon dioxide; solution synthesis; Synthesis; Thermodynamic equilibrium; Thermophoresis; Water purification
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202106204

Synthetic active matters are perfect model systems for non‐equilibrium thermodynamics and of great potential for novel biomedical and environmental applications. However, most applications are limited by the complicated and low‐yield preparation, while a scalable synthesis for highly functional microswimmers is highly desired. In this paper, an all‐solution synthesis method is developed where the gold‐loaded titania‐silica nanotree can be produced as a multi‐functional self‐propulsion microswimmer. By applying light, heat, and electric field, the Janus nanotree demonstrated multi‐mode self‐propulsion, including photochemical self‐electrophoresis by UV and visible light radiation, thermophoresis by near‐infrared light radiation, and induced‐charge electrophoresis under AC electric field. Due to the scalable synthesis, the Janus nanotree is further demonstrated as a high‐efficiency, low‐cost, active adsorbent for water decontamination, where the toxic mercury ions can be reclaimed with enhanced efficiency. Colloid synthesis can be adopted to synthesize the multicomposition gold‐loaded titania‐silica nanotree with a high yield. Demonstration of the nanotree multifunctionality under photoelectrophoresis by UV and visible light radiation, thermophoresis by near‐infrared radiation, and AC electric field with induced‐charge electrophoresis is achieved. The nanotree could be applied as a regenerable decontamination vehicle to effectively remove and reclaim mercury ions for water treatment.