Autonomous movement of silica and glass micro-objects based on a catalytic molecular propulsion system.
A general approach for the easy functionalization of bare silica and glass surfaces with a synthetic manganese catalyst is reported. Decomposition of H(2)O(2) by this dinuclear metallic center into H(2)O and O(2) induced autonomous movement of silica microparticles and glass micro-sized fibers. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to rationalise movement of particles driven by H(2)O(2) decomposition to O(2) and water (recoil from O(2) bubbles, ([36,45]) interfacial tension gradient([37-42]), it is apparent in the present system that ballistic movement is due to the growth of O(2) bubbles.
Stock
Christoph
C
Organic Chemistry Laboratories, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry & Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
Heureux
Nicolas
N
Browne
Wesley R
WR
Feringa
Ben L
BL
D002384:Catalysis; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D008345:Manganese / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009038:Motion; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D014867:Water; D008345:Manganese; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010100:Oxygen