Self-propelled nano and micromotors that exhibit motion in response to physical stimuli (electromagnetic fields, thermal gradients etc.) or chemical fuels (via gas generation) have steadily garnered research interest and have been applied for varied purposes such as microscale fluid pumping, targeted drug delivery, and degradation of environmental pollutants. The catalytic conversion of chemical fuels into mechanical motion for driving these motors is widely explored. Efficient functionalization of surfaces with catalysts or stimuli-responsive species is key in determining efficacy of these motors.<br/>This presentation covers our work on developing a system for patterned chemical functionalization of microscale surfaces to generate self-propelled micromotors with directional motion. A novel, visible-light driven technique for patterning solid surfaces is explored and applied for solid polymer resin surface functionalization. We also investigate the compatibility of this patterning technique with catalytic systems previously unexplored for self-propelling micromotors.

Patterned chemical surface functionalization for self-propelled micromotors

ACS Spring 2022

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