Nanolocomotion: Nanolocomotion—Catalytic Nanomotors and Nanorotors Small 2/2010

Do the nanolocomotion with me: while it is well known that solution-phase chemistry provides a powerful means to synthesize nanostructures with controlled size and shape it is only very recently that chemistry has been used as a power source to make these nanostructures move in solution well beyond the Brownian limit. The cover illustration depicts two types of motion observed for bimetallic Au–Pt nanorod motors, chemically powered by the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide fuel to water and oxygen at the platinum segment. The motility modes include straight motion with stochastically occurring turns, rotation with one end tethered to the substrate, orbiting, spinning around its center of mass, and cooperative rotational mobility of two nanorods. For more information please read the Concept “Nanolocomotion–Catalytic Nanomotors and Nanorotors” by N. S. Zacharia, G. A. Ozin, et al., beginning on page 159.