A number of examples of nanoscale motors exist; however, their ability to enhance diffusion motion in single molecules in the solution phase has received little attention. Here we report the synthesis of Unimolecular Submersible Nanomachines (USN) and the characterization of their locomotion at the single molecule level using photoluminescence quenching measurements. Excitation of the molecule using UV light results in the rapid unidirectional rotation of the central rotor moiety, which results in a 30% increase in the collisional constant indicating that the rotary motor can indeed promote locomotion of USN. In addition to enhanced diffusion, the excited UNS mediate the desorption of molecules from surfaces, demonstrating the ability to do work.

Synthesis and study of unimolecular submersible nanomachines (UNS)

247th National Meeting (2014)

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