journal article·2026-04Open access

Silver‐enhanced Photoresponsive g‐C 3 N 4 /Ag Janus Microrobots With Negative Photogravitaxis Efficient Antibiotic Degradation

Yunhuan Yuan, Vinicius Tadeu Santana, Stanisław Wacławek, Michal Mazur, Martin Pumera

Small· Volume 22· Issue 24

Abstract

ABSTRACT Water pollution remains a serious global challenge; hence, the efficient, low‐cost, and environmentally friendly removal of pollutants from water has become a research hotspot. Photocatalytic microrobots can achieve autonomous movement and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), presenting a great opportunity for water purification. Despite the excellent properties of g‐C 3 N 4 , such as high photocatalytic activity, high surface area, tunable bandgap, and low cost, only a few studies have focused on g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based microrobots. Herein, we developed g‐C 3 N 4 /Ag Janus microrobots that display negative photogravitaxis and efficient photocatalytic activity. Silver modification promotes the generation and separation of charge carriers while suppressing their recombination, enabling the microrobots to move upward. This three‐dimensional movement enhances mass transfer between pollutants and microrobots. We utilized the microrobots to degrade tetracycline with an efficiency of 88%, which is attributed to ROS generation and light‐driven propulsion. This work not only demonstrates negative photogravitaxis in g‐C 3 N 4 /Ag‐based microrobots but also reveals their motion‐enhanced photocatalytic mechanism for antibiotic degradation. These findings are expected to significantly advance the development of microrobotic systems for water purification and broader environmental remediation applications.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Micro and Nano Robotics · Advanced Materials and Mechanics · Spacecraft Dynamics and Control

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory Central European Institute of Technology Brno University of Technology Brno Czech Republic

Central European Institute of Technology Brno University of Technology Brno Czech Republic

Institute For Nanomaterials Advanced Technology and Innovation Technical University of Liberec Liberec Czech Republic

Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Department of Medical Research China Medical University Hospital China Medical University Taichung Taiwan

Advanced Nanorobots & Multiscale Robotics Laboratory Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science VSB – Technical University of Ostrava Ostrava Czech Republic

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Yonsei University Seoul South Korea

Funding

Grantová Agentura České Republiky

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