Precision Engineering of Nanorobots: Toward Single Atom Decoration and Defect Control for Enhanced Microplastic Capture

Abstract Nanorobots are being received with a great attention for their move‐sense‐and‐act capabilities that often originate from catalytic decomposition of fuels. In the past decade, single‐atom engineering has demonstrated exceptional efficiency in catalysis, energy‐related technologies, and medicine. Here, a novel approach involving point defect engineering and the incorporation of platinum (Pt) single atoms and atomic level species onto the surface of titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO₂‐NT)‐based nanorobots is presented and its impact on the propulsion capabilities of the resulting nanorobots is investigated. The achievement of point defect engineering is realized through the annealing of TiO₂‐NT in a hydrogen atmosphere yielding to the point‐defect decorated nanotube (TiO₂‐HNT) nanorobots. Subsequently, the atomic level Pt species decorated TiO₂ nanotube (TiO₂‐SA‐NT) nanorobots are achieved through a wet‐chemical deposition process. Whereas TiO₂‐SA‐NT nanorobots showed the highest negative photogravitaxis when irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light, TiO₂‐HNT nanorobots reached the highest velocity calculated in 2D. Both TiO₂‐HNT and TiO₂‐SA‐NT nanorobots demonstrated a pronounced affinity for microplastics, exhibiting the capability to irreversibly capture them. This pioneering approach utilizing point‐defect and atomic level Pt species nanorobotics is anticipated to pave the way for highly efficient solutions in the remediation of nano‐ and microplastics and related environmental technologies.