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An electric molecular motor

Author

Listed:
  • Long Zhang

    (Northwestern University)

  • Yunyan Qiu

    (Northwestern University)

  • Wei-Guang Liu

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Hongliang Chen

    (Northwestern University
    Zhejiang University
    ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center)

  • Dengke Shen

    (Northwestern University
    Anhui University)

  • Bo Song

    (Northwestern University)

  • Kang Cai

    (Northwestern University
    Nankai University)

  • Huang Wu

    (Northwestern University)

  • Yang Jiao

    (Northwestern University)

  • Yuanning Feng

    (Northwestern University)

  • James S. W. Seale

    (Northwestern University)

  • Cristian Pezzato

    (Northwestern University
    École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    University of Padova)

  • Jia Tian

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yu Tan

    (Northwestern University
    Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Xiao-Yang Chen

    (Northwestern University)

  • Qing-Hui Guo

    (Northwestern University
    Zhejiang University
    ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center)

  • Charlotte L. Stern

    (Northwestern University)

  • Douglas Philp

    (Northwestern University
    University of St Andrews, North Haugh)

  • R. Dean Astumian

    (University of Maine)

  • William A. Goddard

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • J. Fraser Stoddart

    (Northwestern University
    Zhejiang University
    ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center
    University of New South Wales)

Abstract

Macroscopic electric motors continue to have a large impact on almost every aspect of modern society. Consequently, the effort towards developing molecular motors1–3 that can be driven by electricity could not be more timely. Here we describe an electric molecular motor based on a [3]catenane4,5, in which two cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene)6 (CBPQT4+) rings are powered by electricity in solution to circumrotate unidirectionally around a 50-membered loop. The constitution of the loop ensures that both rings undergo highly (85%) unidirectional movement under the guidance of a flashing energy ratchet7,8, whereas the interactions between the two rings give rise to a two-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) similar to that shown by FOF1 ATP synthase9. The unidirectionality is powered by an oscillating10 voltage11,12 or external modulation of the redox potential13. Initially, we focused our attention on the homologous [2]catenane, only to find that the kinetic asymmetry was insufficient to support unidirectional movement of the sole ring. Accordingly, we incorporated a second CBPQT4+ ring to provide further symmetry breaking by interactions between the two mobile rings. This demonstration of electrically driven continual circumrotatory motion of two rings around a loop in a [3]catenane is free from the production of waste products and represents an important step towards surface-bound14 electric molecular motors.

Suggested Citation

  • Long Zhang & Yunyan Qiu & Wei-Guang Liu & Hongliang Chen & Dengke Shen & Bo Song & Kang Cai & Huang Wu & Yang Jiao & Yuanning Feng & James S. W. Seale & Cristian Pezzato & Jia Tian & Yu Tan & Xiao-Yan, 2023. "An electric molecular motor," Nature, Nature, vol. 613(7943), pages 280-286, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:613:y:2023:i:7943:d:10.1038_s41586-022-05421-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05421-6
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Amirifard, Masoumeh & Sinton, Ronald A. & Kurtz, Sarah, 2024. "How demand-side management can shape electricity generation capacity planning," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    2. Grace C. Thaggard & Kyoung Chul Park & Jaewoong Lim & Buddhima K. P. Maldeni Kankanamalage & Johanna Haimerl & Gina R. Wilson & Margaret K. McBride & Kelly L. Forrester & Esther R. Adelson & Virginia , 2023. "Breaking the photoswitch speed limit," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Akter, Hosne Ara & Masum, Farhad Hossain & Dwivedi, Puneet, 2024. "Life cycle emissions and unit production cost of sustainable aviation fuel from logging residues in Georgia, United States," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    4. Jiaqi Liang & Shuai Lu & Yang Yang & Yun-Jia Shen & Jin-Ku Bai & Xin Sun & Xu-Lang Chen & Jie Cui & Ai-Jiao Guan & Jun-Feng Xiang & Xiaopeng Li & Heng Wang & Yu-Dong Yang & Han-Yuan Gong, 2023. "Thermally-induced atropisomerism promotes metal-organic cage construction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Güngör, Osman & Tozlu, Alperen & Arslantürk, Cihat & Özahi, Emrah, 2024. "District heating based on exhaust gas produced from end-of-life tires in Erzincan: Thermoeconomic analysis and optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    6. Qing Li Zhu & Weixuan Liu & Olena Khoruzhenko & Josef Breu & Wei Hong & Qiang Zheng & Zi Liang Wu, 2024. "Animating hydrogel knotbots with topology-invoked self-regulation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    7. Xin Sun & Jin-Ku Bai & Yu-Dong Yang & Ke-Lin Zhu & Jia-Qi Liang & Xin-Yue Wang & Jun-Feng Xiang & Xiang Hao & Tong-Ling Liang & Ai-Jiao Guan & Ning-Ning Wu & Han-Yuan Gong, 2024. "Controlled interconversion of macrocyclic atropisomers via defined intermediates," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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