Self‐Immolative Polymers to Initiate Locomotion in Motors

Abstract Nanomotors that use polymers to gain locomotion is an upcoming concept. Here, we made use of self‐immolative polymers (SIP), i. e., polymers that disintegrate in a domino‐like fashion, to initiate motion in 500 nm silica particles. We selected a BSA‐triggered SIP and assessed its degradation both in solution and when deposited onto the silica particles. A 1.5‐fold increase of monomer was found in the solution compared to the controls, suggesting the SIP disintegration. The locomotion of the SIP‐coated motors was shown to have an average velocity of up to ∼3 μm s⁻¹ when incubated with BSA. These proof of concept findings illustrate an alternative polymer‐powered motor design, which benefits from modern polymer chemistry concepts.