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Ferreira VRA, Azenha MA. Recent Advances in Light-Driven Semiconductor-Based Micro/Nanomotors: Optimization Strategies and Emerging Applications. Molecules 2024; 29:1154. [PMID: 38474666 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Micro/nanomotors represent a burgeoning field of research featuring small devices capable of autonomous movement in liquid environments through catalytic reactions and/or external stimuli. This review delves into recent advancements in light-driven semiconductor-based micro/nanomotors (LDSM), focusing on optimized syntheses, enhanced motion mechanisms, and emerging applications in the environmental and biomedical domains. The survey commences with a theoretical introduction to micromotors and their propulsion mechanisms, followed by an exploration of commonly studied LDSM, emphasizing their advantages. Critical properties affecting propulsion, such as surface features, morphology, and size, are presented alongside discussions on external conditions related to light sources and intensity, which are crucial for optimizing the propulsion speed. Each property is accompanied by a theoretical background and conclusions drawn up to 2018. The review further investigates recent adaptations of LDSM, uncovering underlying mechanisms and associated benefits. A brief discussion is included on potential synergistic effects between different external conditions, aiming to enhance efficiency-a relatively underexplored topic. In conclusion, the review outlines emerging applications in biomedicine and environmental monitoring/remediation resulting from recent LDSM research, highlighting the growing significance of this field. The comprehensive exploration of LDSM advancements provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to leverage these innovative micro/nanomotors in diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa R A Ferreira
- CIQUP-Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel A Azenha
- CIQUP-Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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Keller S, Teora SP, Keskin A, Daris LJC, Samuels NAPE, Boujemaa M, Wilson DA. Spatial Control over Catalyst Positioning for Increased Micromotor Efficiency. Gels 2023; 9:gels9020164. [PMID: 36826334 PMCID: PMC9957166 DOI: 10.3390/gels9020164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Motion is influenced by many different aspects of a micromotor's design, such as shape, roughness and the type of materials used. When designing a motor, asymmetry is the main requirement to take into account, either in shape or in catalyst distribution. It influences both speed and directionality since it dictates the location of propulsion force. Here, we combine asymmetry in shape and asymmetry in catalyst distribution to study the motion of soft micromotors. A microfluidic method is utilized to generate aqueous double emulsions, which upon UV-exposure form asymmetric microgels. Taking advantage of the flexibility of this method, we fabricated micromotors with homogeneous catalyst distribution throughout the microbead and micromotors with different degrees of catalyst localization within the active site. Spatial control over catalyst positioning is advantageous since less enzyme is needed for the same propulsion speed as the homogeneous system and it provides further confinement and compartmentalization of the catalyst. This proof-of-concept of our new design will make the use of enzymes as driving forces for motors more accessible, as well as providing a new route for compartmentalizing enzymes at interfaces without the need for catalyst-specific functionalization.
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Arun J, Nachiappan S, Rangarajan G, Alagappan RP, Gopinath KP, Lichtfouse E. Synthesis and application of titanium dioxide photocatalysis for energy, decontamination and viral disinfection: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS 2023; 21:339-362. [PMID: 36060494 PMCID: PMC9419126 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-022-01503-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Global pollution is calling for advanced methods to remove contaminants from water and wastewater, such as TiO2-assisted photocatalysis. The environmental applications of titanium dioxide have started after the initial TiO2 application for water splitting by Fujishima and Honda in 1972. TiO2 is now used for self-cleaning surfaces, air and water purification systems, microbial inactivation and selective organic conversion. The synthesis of titanium dioxide nanomaterials with high photocatalytic activity is actually a major challenge. Here we review titanium dioxide photocatalysis with focus on mechanims, synthesis, and applications. Synthetic methods include sol-gel, sonochemical, microwave, oxidation, deposition, hydro/solvothermal, and biological techniques. Applications comprise the production of energy, petroleum recovery, and the removal of microplastics, pharmaceuticals, metals, dyes, pesticides, and of viruses such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayaseelan Arun
- Centre for Waste Management-International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Jeppiaar Nagar (OMR), Tamil Nadu, Chennai, 6030119 India
| | - S. Nachiappan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Goutham Rangarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, M5S3E5 Canada
| | - Ram Prasath Alagappan
- Department of Water Supply, Sanitation and Environmental Engineering, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2601 DA Delft, The Netherlands
| | - K. P. Gopinath
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam (OMR), Tamil Nadu, Chennai, 603110 India
| | - Eric Lichtfouse
- European Centre for Research and Education in Geosciences (CEREGE), Aix Marseille University, 13007 Marseille, France
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Yang Y, Hu K, Zhang P, Zhou P, Duan X, Sun H, Wang S. Manganese-Based Micro/Nanomotors: Synthesis, Motion, and Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2100927. [PMID: 34318613 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202100927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As emerging micro/nano-scale devices, micro/nanomotors have been innovatively applied in the environmental and biomedical applications. In this paper, the recent advances of Mn-based micro/nanomotors (Mn-micro/nanomotors) in catalytic oxidation of organic contaminants and the mechanisms in decomposition of H2 O2 (e.g., the generation of O2 bubbles and reactive oxygen species) are reviewed. The intrinsic characteristics and synthetic strategies of Mn-based materials are discussed, aiming to gain comprehensive understandings on the asymmetric design of micro/nanomotors. Mn-micro/nanomotors have many advantages such as flexible structures, biocompatibility, powerful motion, long lifetime, and low-cost as compared to noble-metal micro/nanomotors. These merits fulfil Mn-micro/nanomotors great promises from proof-of-concept studies to realistic applications, including pollutant decomposition, trace detection of heavy metal ions, oil removal, drug delivery, isolation of biological targets, and killing bacteria and cancer cells. The great flexibility in fabrication enables diverse and innovative strategies to address challenges for Mn-micro/nanomotors, including high consumption of H2 O2 and non-directional motion. Meanwhile, a perspective of Mn-micro/nanomotors in water remediation by coupling the motors with other Fenton/Fenton-like systems to enhance the catalytic activity and to yield more reactive oxygen species is presented. Directions to the design of on-demand H2 O2 -fueled Mn-micro/nanomotors for advanced purification of organic contaminants in aquatic systems are also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Kunsheng Hu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Panpan Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Peng Zhou
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xiaoguang Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Hongqi Sun
- School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Shaobin Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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Mena-Giraldo P, Orozco J. Polymeric Micro/Nanocarriers and Motors for Cargo Transport and Phototriggered Delivery. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:3920. [PMID: 34833219 PMCID: PMC8621231 DOI: 10.3390/polym13223920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Smart polymer-based micro/nanoassemblies have emerged as a promising alternative for transporting and delivering a myriad of cargo. Cargo encapsulation into (or linked to) polymeric micro/nanocarrier (PC) strategies may help to conserve cargo activity and functionality when interacting with its surroundings in its journey to the target. PCs for cargo phototriggering allow for excellent spatiotemporal control via irradiation as an external stimulus, thus regulating the delivery kinetics of cargo and potentially increasing its therapeutic effect. Micromotors based on PCs offer an accelerated cargo-medium interaction for biomedical, environmental, and many other applications. This review collects the recent achievements in PC development based on nanomicelles, nanospheres, and nanopolymersomes, among others, with enhanced properties to increase cargo protection and cargo release efficiency triggered by ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, including light-stimulated polymeric micromotors for propulsion, cargo transport, biosensing, and photo-thermal therapy. We emphasize the challenges of positioning PCs as drug delivery systems, as well as the outstanding opportunities of light-stimulated polymeric micromotors for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jahir Orozco
- Max Planck Tandem Group in Nanobioengineering, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Antioquia, Complejo Ruta N, Calle 67 # 52-20, Medellin 050010, Colombia;
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Naeem S, Naeem F, Mujtaba J, Shukla AK, Mitra S, Huang G, Gulina L, Rudakovskaya P, Cui J, Tolstoy V, Gorin D, Mei Y, Solovev AA, Dey KK. Oxygen Generation Using Catalytic Nano/Micromotors. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1251. [PMID: 34683302 PMCID: PMC8541545 DOI: 10.3390/mi12101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gaseous oxygen plays a vital role in driving the metabolism of living organisms and has multiple agricultural, medical, and technological applications. Different methods have been discovered to produce oxygen, including plants, oxygen concentrators and catalytic reactions. However, many such approaches are relatively expensive, involve challenges, complexities in post-production processes or generate undesired reaction products. Catalytic oxygen generation using hydrogen peroxide is one of the simplest and cleanest methods to produce oxygen in the required quantities. Chemically powered micro/nanomotors, capable of self-propulsion in liquid media, offer convenient and economic platforms for on-the-fly generation of gaseous oxygen on demand. Micromotors have opened up opportunities for controlled oxygen generation and transport under complex conditions, critical medical diagnostics and therapy. Mobile oxygen micro-carriers help better understand the energy transduction efficiencies of micro/nanoscopic active matter by careful selection of catalytic materials, fuel compositions and concentrations, catalyst surface curvatures and catalytic particle size, which opens avenues for controllable oxygen release on the level of a single catalytic microreactor. This review discusses various micro/nanomotor systems capable of functioning as mobile oxygen generators while highlighting their features, efficiencies and application potentials in different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumayyah Naeem
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Farah Naeem
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Jawayria Mujtaba
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Ashish Kumar Shukla
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj 382355, Gujarat, India; (A.K.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Shirsendu Mitra
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj 382355, Gujarat, India; (A.K.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Gaoshan Huang
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Larisa Gulina
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii Prospect, Petergof, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia; (L.G.); (V.T.)
| | - Polina Rudakovskaya
- Center of Photonics & Quantum Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 3 Nobelya Str., 121205 Moscow, Russia; (P.R.); (D.G.)
| | - Jizhai Cui
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Valeri Tolstoy
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii Prospect, Petergof, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia; (L.G.); (V.T.)
| | - Dmitry Gorin
- Center of Photonics & Quantum Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 3 Nobelya Str., 121205 Moscow, Russia; (P.R.); (D.G.)
| | - Yongfeng Mei
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Alexander A. Solovev
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Krishna Kanti Dey
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj 382355, Gujarat, India; (A.K.S.); (S.M.)
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Tezel G, Timur SS, Kuralay F, Gürsoy RN, Ulubayram K, Öner L, Eroğlu H. Current status of micro/nanomotors in drug delivery. J Drug Target 2020; 29:29-45. [PMID: 32672079 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1797052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are novel, self-propelled nano or microscale devices that are widely used in drug transport, cell stimulation and isolation, bio-imaging, diagnostic and monitoring, sensing, photocatalysis and environmental remediation. Various preparation methods and propulsion mechanisms make MNMs "tailormade" nanosystems for the intended purpose or use. As the one of the newest members of nano carriers, MNMs open a new perspective especially for rapid drug transport and gene delivery. Although there exists limited number of in-vivo studies for drug delivery purposes, existence of in-vitro supportive data strongly encourages researchers to move on in this field and benefit from the manoeuvre capability of these novel systems. In this article, we reviewed the preparation and propulsion mechanisms of nanomotors in various fields with special attention to drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Tezel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selin Seda Timur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Filiz Kuralay
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - R Neslihan Gürsoy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kezban Ulubayram
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Levent Öner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hakan Eroğlu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Abstract
Suspensions of chemically powered self-propelled colloidal particles are examples of active matter systems with interesting properties. While simple spherical Janus particles are often studied, it is known that geometry is important and recent experiments have shown that chemically active torus-shaped colloids behave differently from spherical colloids. In this paper, coarse-grained microscopic simulations of the dynamics of self-diffusiophoretic torus colloids are carried out in bulk solution in order to study how torus geometric factors influence their active motion. The concentration and velocity fields are key ingredients in self-diffusiophoretic propulsion, and the forms that these fields take in the colloid vicinity are shown to be strong functions of torus geometric parameters such as the torus hole size and thickness of the torus tube. This work utilizes a method where self-diffusiophoretic torus colloids with various geometric and dynamical characteristics can be built and studied in fluid media that include chemical reactions and fluid flows. The model can be used to investigate the collective properties of these colloids and their dynamics in confined systems, topics that are of general importance for applications that use colloidal motors with complex geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Wang
- School of Electrical and Control Engineering, Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150022, People's Republic of China
| | - Mu-Jie Huang
- Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Raymond Kapral
- Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
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Volokh M, Mokari T. Metal/semiconductor interfaces in nanoscale objects: synthesis, emerging properties and applications of hybrid nanostructures. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2020; 2:930-961. [PMID: 36133041 PMCID: PMC9418511 DOI: 10.1039/c9na00729f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid nanostructures, composed of multi-component crystals of various shapes, sizes and compositions are much sought-after functional materials. Pairing the ability to tune each material separately and controllably combine two (or more) domains with defined spatial orientation results in new properties. In this review, we discuss the various synthetic mechanisms for the formation of hybrid nanostructures of various complexities containing at least one metal/semiconductor interface, with a focus on colloidal chemistry. Different synthetic approaches, alongside the underlying kinetic and thermodynamic principles are discussed, and future advancement prospects are evaluated. Furthermore, the proved unique properties are reviewed with emphasis on the connection between the synthetic method and the resulting physical, chemical and optical properties with applications in fields such as photocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry, Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Taleb Mokari
- Department of Chemistry, Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
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