Engineering of Photo-rechargeable Nanoswimmers using Multicomponent Heterojunctions

Introduction

The realization of smart nanoswimmers capable of moving and performing desired tasks in an aqueous environment is a technological challenge due to the viscous and thermal forces exerted upon them.

Motivation for Light Activation

While various types of external stimuli can be used to activate their autonomous motion, light is the easiest to operate and most flexible. This is due to the opportunities that it offers for motion modulation through intensity, wavelength, and direction. However, such optical control is affected by the properties of the aqueous media, limiting the applicability of light-driven nanoswimmers to non-scattering environments.

Project Overview

The novel approach of this project (PhotoSwim) is the design of hybrid nanoswimmers that consist not only of photocatalytic but also persistent luminescent materials. This design aims to provide triple light-responsive, light-storage, and light-emissive properties at the material level.

Objectives

This project will explore the potential of these innovative photoactivated swimmers to:

1. Store and emit sufficient light energy to maintain motion in the absence of external irradiation.
2. Exhibit long-term luminescence for tracking purposes.
3. Move and interact with their surroundings at high speeds due to efficient charge pair separation.
4. Achieve major control over their motion by wavelength tunability.

Application and Testing

The knowledge obtained will then be used to expand the applicability of these hybrid nanoswimmers in scenarios of limited light penetrability. Specifically, their capabilities to:

• Maintain their photoactivity in the presence of chemical and biological interferences.
• Perform real-time monitoring of their location by the emitted luminescence.

Conclusion

In this way, the potential of advanced multi-functioning nanoswimmers to keep moving and interacting with the surroundings in scenarios where the light supply is not fully available will be demonstrated.