Autonomous Catalytic Nanomotors Based on 2D Magnetic Nanoplates

Engineering the shape of nanoparticles has emerged as an effective approach for optimizing their physical/chemical properties. In particular, two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures with their high surface area/volume ratio have opened up exciting opportunities for developing advanced anisotropic materials and facilitating chemical processes that demand high levels of surface interactions. Although the great potential of low-dimensional 2D nanoswimmers has been suggested by theoretical works, very little experimental study has been undertaken thus far. Here we fabricated a low-dimensional magnetic nanomotor based on discotic barium ferrite nanoplates. We demonstrated that the “fuel-to-motion” behavior and the enhanced diffusion of nanoswimmers are not limited to just 0D nanospheres or 1D nanorods but are also applicable to 2D nanoplates. In addition, the 2D nanoswimmers showed excellent catalytic performance in removing molecular and particle stains on cloth likely due to their catalytic activity as well as active locomotion that enhanced microconvection of solution. This study validated a new self-powered nanomachine for cleaning application without any requirement of surfactants or external mechanical energy.