Facile Fabrication of Bubble-Propelled Micromotors Carrying Nanocatalysts for Water Remediation

A facile and flexible approach is developed to fabricate bubble-propelled mesoporous micromotors carrying nanocatalysts for efficient water remediation. The micromotors are prepared by simply coating the hemispherical surface of Fe₃O₄-nanoparticle-containing mesoporous SiO₂ microparticles with a polydopamine layer for decorating Ag nanoparticles, based on the versatile adhesion and reduction properties of polydopamine. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles can produce OH radicals from H₂O₂ for pollutant degradation via Fenton reaction, whereas the mesoporous SiO₂ matrix provides large surface area with anchored Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for improved degradation performance. Moreover, the Ag nanoparticles can decompose H₂O₂ into oxygen bubbles for powering the movement of micromotors to further enhance the pollutant degradation. The micromotors that synergistically integrate these functions enable efficient degradation of pollutants, such as methylene blue demonstrated in this work, for water remediation. This approach offers a simple and versatile strategy for creating micromotors with flexible compositions and structures for applications in water remediation, drug delivery, and cargo transport

Facile Fabrication of Bubble-Propelled Micromotors Carrying Nanocatalysts for Water Remediation

A facile and flexible approach is developed to fabricate bubble-propelled mesoporous micromotors carrying nanocatalysts for efficient water remediation. The micromotors are prepared by simply coating the hemispherical surface of Fe₃O₄-nanoparticle-containing mesoporous SiO₂ microparticles with a polydopamine layer for decorating Ag nanoparticles, based on the versatile adhesion and reduction properties of polydopamine. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles can produce OH radicals from H₂O₂ for pollutant degradation via Fenton reaction, whereas the mesoporous SiO₂ matrix provides large surface area with anchored Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for improved degradation performance. Moreover, the Ag nanoparticles can decompose H₂O₂ into oxygen bubbles for powering the movement of micromotors to further enhance the pollutant degradation. The micromotors that synergistically integrate these functions enable efficient degradation of pollutants, such as methylene blue demonstrated in this work, for water remediation. This approach offers a simple and versatile strategy for creating micromotors with flexible compositions and structures for applications in water remediation, drug delivery, and cargo transport

Controllable Microfluidic Fabrication of Magnetic Hybrid Microswimmers with Hollow Helical Structures

Controllable magnetic hybrid microswimmers with hollow helical structures are fabricated, by a facile strategy based on microfluidic template synthesis and biosilicification, to achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion for cargo transport. The magnetic hybrid microswimmers are fabricated by first synthesizing Fe₃O₄-nanoparticles-containing helical Ca-alginate microfibers from microfluidics, followed with biosilicification and controllable dicing to engineer their rigid hollow helical structures. The microswimmers show hollow helical structures consisting of a rigid, biocompatible alginate/protamine/silica shell embedded with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Their helical structures can be engineered into open tubular structures or closed compartmental structures by using microfibers or diced microfibers as templates for biosilicification. Powered by a simple rotating magnet, the microswimmers can achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion and provide good mechanical strength for supporting cargo for transportation. This work provides a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating controllable magnetic hybrid microswimmers with hollow helical structures to achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion for cargo transport, encapsulation, and delivery

Controllable Microfluidic Fabrication of Magnetic Hybrid Microswimmers with Hollow Helical Structures

Controllable magnetic hybrid microswimmers with hollow helical structures are fabricated, by a facile strategy based on microfluidic template synthesis and biosilicification, to achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion for cargo transport. The magnetic hybrid microswimmers are fabricated by first synthesizing Fe₃O₄-nanoparticles-containing helical Ca-alginate microfibers from microfluidics, followed with biosilicification and controllable dicing to engineer their rigid hollow helical structures. The microswimmers show hollow helical structures consisting of a rigid, biocompatible alginate/protamine/silica shell embedded with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Their helical structures can be engineered into open tubular structures or closed compartmental structures by using microfibers or diced microfibers as templates for biosilicification. Powered by a simple rotating magnet, the microswimmers can achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion and provide good mechanical strength for supporting cargo for transportation. This work provides a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating controllable magnetic hybrid microswimmers with hollow helical structures to achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion for cargo transport, encapsulation, and delivery

Controllable Microfluidic Fabrication of Magnetic Hybrid Microswimmers with Hollow Helical Structures

Controllable magnetic hybrid microswimmers with hollow helical structures are fabricated, by a facile strategy based on microfluidic template synthesis and biosilicification, to achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion for cargo transport. The magnetic hybrid microswimmers are fabricated by first synthesizing Fe₃O₄-nanoparticles-containing helical Ca-alginate microfibers from microfluidics, followed with biosilicification and controllable dicing to engineer their rigid hollow helical structures. The microswimmers show hollow helical structures consisting of a rigid, biocompatible alginate/protamine/silica shell embedded with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Their helical structures can be engineered into open tubular structures or closed compartmental structures by using microfibers or diced microfibers as templates for biosilicification. Powered by a simple rotating magnet, the microswimmers can achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion and provide good mechanical strength for supporting cargo for transportation. This work provides a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating controllable magnetic hybrid microswimmers with hollow helical structures to achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion for cargo transport, encapsulation, and delivery