Catalytically induced movement of metal nanoparticles

COLL 466

Ayusman Sen, Walter F. Paxton, and Thomas E. Mallouk. Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, 152 Davey Lab, University Park, PA 16802
Nanoscale moving systems are currently the subject of intense interest due, in part, to their potential applications in nanomachinery. We have discovered that nano-objects with spatially defined catalytic zones exhibit directed non-Brownian, movement when placed in an aqueous “fuel” solution. Specifically, nanorods and gears incorporating catalytic segments exhibit linear and rotational motions, respectively, Our results clearly show that it is possible to build nanomotors based on catalytic reactions that serve to maintain gradient-based forces. The motors are autonomous in that they do not require external electric, magnetic, gravitational, or optical fields to provide propulsion. Instead, the input energy is supplied locally and chemically.