Disintegrating polymer multilayers to jump-start colloidal micromotors. Issue 2 (19th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernández-Medina, Marina; Qian, Xiaomin; Hovorka, Ondrej; Städler, Brigitte
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 11:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 733
• Page End: 741
• Publication Date: 2018-12-19
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c8nr08071b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Colloidal systems with autonomous mobility are attractive alternatives to static particles for diverse applications. Abstract : Colloidal systems with autonomous mobility are attractive alternatives to static particles for diverse applications. We present a complementary approach using pH-triggered disintegrating polymer multilayers for self-propulsion of swimmers. It is illustrated both experimentally and theoretically that homogenously coated swimmers exhibit higher velocity in comparison to their Janus-shaped counterparts. These swimmers show directional and random motion in microfluidic channels with a steep and shallow pH gradient, respectively. Further, a higher number of deposited polymer multilayers, steeper pH gradients and lower mass of the swimmers result in higher self-propulsion velocities. This new self-propulsion mechanism opens up unique opportunities to design, for instance, fast and yet biocompatible swimmers using the diverse tools of polymer chemistry to custom-synthesise the polymeric building blocks to assemble multilayers.