Single-Metal Hybrid Micromotor

• Published in: Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology Vol. 10; p. 844328
• Main Authors: Li, Dajian, Zheng, Yuhong, Zhang, Zhanxiang, Zhang, Qi, Huang, Xiaoying, Dong, Renfeng, Cai, Yuepeng, Wang, Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 14.02.2022
• Subjects: Bioengineering and Biotechnology; catalysis; group motion; hybrid; micromotor; ultrasound; catalysis; group motion; hybrid; micromotor; ultrasound
• ISSN: 2296-4185; 2296-4185
• DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.844328

Multimode stimuli-regulated propulsions are extremely useful for artificial micro-/nanomotors in performing specialized tasks in different microscopic environments. However, it is still a great challenge to develop a simple and efficient micro/nanosystem which can operate in complicated environments, either with fuel or without fuel. Here, we report a novel hybrid micromotor which only needs one metal with a special structure: micro-spherical shell with a hole. Since we attractively combine the inherently catalytic properties of Pt for chemical propulsion with a designed concave structure for acoustic propulsion, the micromotors can not only move rapidly in H O fueled environment due to the chemical reaction between Pt and H O but also can exhibit excellent acoustic propulsion in a fuel-free environment due to the non-uniform stress caused by ultrasound. In addition, the attractive group motion behavior of the motors, including aggregation, group migration, and dispersion, is easily realized by acoustic field regulation. The brand-new single-metal hybrid micromotors with a dual driving mode, flexible propulsion regulation, and efficient group motion regulation, which are essential for making micro-/nanomotors compatible with different surrounding environments, are expected to advance the field of artificial nanomachines.