Autonomous Motions of Catalytic Particles in Water

Abstract

Over the past decade, fabrication of nano/micro motors driven by chemical reactions （e.g., hydrogen peroxide decomposition） has been a hot and challenging topic. Several research groups have attempted to prepare micromotors with sophisticated design such as composite microrods and Janus particles. Whereas, we have investigated the behavior of simple particles solely made of Pt in solutions containing chemical reactants because the system is easily reproducible in laboratories. We have arrived at the following conclusions :
（1）　Pt particles show regulated motions （such as translation, spin, and rotation） depending on the shape in hydrogen peroxide water.
（2）　The particles also exhibit regulated motions in water containing alcohols. This oxidative mechanism mirrors comparable biological systems. Interestingly, motile direction is reversed by replacing alcohols with hydrogen peroxide.