URSO, M., M. USSIA and M. PUMERA. Breaking Polymer Chains with Self-Propelled Light-Controlled Navigable Hematite Microrobots. Advanced Functional Materials. Wrinheim: Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2021, vol. 31, No 28, p. 2101510-2101519. ISSN 1616-301X. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202101510.
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Basic information
Original name Breaking Polymer Chains with Self-Propelled Light-Controlled Navigable Hematite Microrobots
Authors URSO, M., M. USSIA and M. PUMERA.
Edition Advanced Functional Materials, Wrinheim, Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2021, 1616-301X.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Article in a journal
Field of Study 10400 1.4 Chemical sciences
Country of publisher Germany
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
WWW URL
Impact factor Impact factor: 19.924
RIV identification code RIV/00216224:14740/21:00124434
Organization unit Central European Institute of Technology
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202101510
UT WoS 000645561700001
Keywords in English iron oxides; micromotors; photocatalysis; plastics; pollutants; polymers; water purification
Tags CF PROT, ne MU, rivok
Tags International impact, Reviewed
Changed by Changed by: Mgr. Pavla Foltynová, Ph.D., učo 106624. Changed: 23/3/2022 09:55.
Abstract
The increasing use of polymers has led to an uncontrollable accumulation of polymer waste in the environment, evidencing the urgent need for effective and definitive strategies to degrade them. Here, self-propelled light-powered magnetic field-navigable hematite/metal Janus microrobots that can actively move, capture, and degrade polymers are presented. Janus microrobots are fabricated by asymmetrically depositing different metals on hematite microspheres prepared by low-cost and large-scale chemical synthesis. All microrobots exhibit fuel-free motion capability, with light-controlled on/off switching of motion and magnetic field-controlled directionality. Higher speeds are observed for bimetallic coatings with respect to single metals. This is due to their larger mixed potential difference with hematite as indicated by Tafel measurements. As a model for polymers, the total degradation of high molecular weight polyethylene glycol is demonstrated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. This result is attributed to the active motion of microrobots, enhanced electrostatic capture of polymer chains, improved charge separation at the hematite/metal interface, and catalyzed photo-Fenton reaction. This work opens the route toward the degradation of polymers and plastics in water using light.
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