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Shape-directed rotation of homogeneous micromotors via catalytic self-electrophoresis

Author

Listed:
  • Allan M. Brooks

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Mykola Tasinkevych

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Syeda Sabrina

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Darrell Velegol

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Ayusman Sen

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Kyle J. M. Bishop

    (Columbia University)

Abstract

The pursuit of chemically-powered colloidal machines requires individual components that perform different motions within a common environment. Such motions can be tailored by controlling the shape and/or composition of catalytic microparticles; however, the ability to design particle motions remains limited by incomplete understanding of the relevant propulsion mechanism(s). Here, we demonstrate that platinum microparticles move spontaneously in solutions of hydrogen peroxide and that their motions can be rationally designed by controlling particle shape. Nanofabricated particles with n-fold rotational symmetry rotate steadily with speed and direction specified by the type and extent of shape asymmetry. The observed relationships between particle shape and motion provide evidence for a self-electrophoretic propulsion mechanism, whereby anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction occur at different rates at different locations on the particle surface. We develop a mathematical model that explains how particle shape impacts the relevant electrocatalytic reactions and the resulting electrokinetic flows that drive particle motion.

Suggested Citation

  • Allan M. Brooks & Mykola Tasinkevych & Syeda Sabrina & Darrell Velegol & Ayusman Sen & Kyle J. M. Bishop, 2019. "Shape-directed rotation of homogeneous micromotors via catalytic self-electrophoresis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-08423-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08423-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Bradley D. Frank & Saveh Djalali & Agata W. Baryzewska & Paolo Giusto & Peter H. Seeberger & Lukas Zeininger, 2022. "Reversible morphology-resolved chemotactic actuation and motion of Janus emulsion droplets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Jing Fan Yang & Thomas A. Berrueta & Allan M. Brooks & Albert Tianxiang Liu & Ge Zhang & David Gonzalez-Medrano & Sungyun Yang & Volodymyr B. Koman & Pavel Chvykov & Lexy N. LeMar & Marc Z. Miskin & T, 2022. "Emergent microrobotic oscillators via asymmetry-induced order," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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