Breaking Polymer Chains with Self-Propelled Light-Controlled
Navigable Hematite Microrobots

J 2021

Breaking Polymer Chains with Self-Propelled Light-Controlled Navigable Hematite Microrobots

URSO, M., M. USSIA and M. PUMERA

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

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10400 1.4 Chemical sciences

Country of publisher

Germany

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

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

Abstract

V originále

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.

Links

90127, large research infrastructures

Name: CIISB II

Citovat

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.

@article{1842562,
   author = {Urso, M. and Ussia, M. and Pumera, M.},
   article_location = {Wrinheim},
   article_number = {28},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202101510},
   keywords = {iron oxides; micromotors; photocatalysis; plastics; pollutants; polymers; water purification},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {1616-301X},
   journal = {Advanced Functional Materials},
   title = {Breaking Polymer Chains with Self-Propelled Light-Controlled Navigable Hematite Microrobots},
   url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202101510},
   volume = {31},
   year = {2021}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 1842562
AU  - Urso, M. - Ussia, M. - Pumera, M.
PY  - 2021
TI  - Breaking Polymer Chains with Self-Propelled Light-Controlled Navigable Hematite Microrobots
JF  - Advanced Functional Materials
VL  - 31
IS  - 28
SP  - 2101510
EP  - 2101510
PB  - Wiley-VCH Verlag
SN  - 1616301X
KW  - iron oxides
KW  - micromotors
KW  - photocatalysis
KW  - plastics
KW  - pollutants
KW  - polymers
KW  - water purification
UR  - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202101510
N2  - 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.
ER  -

URSO, M., M. USSIA and M. PUMERA. Breaking Polymer Chains with Self-Propelled Light-Controlled Navigable Hematite Microrobots. \textit{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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