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Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Preparation and 3D Tracking of Catalytic Swimming Devices
Published on: July 1, 2016
Ultrafast Bubble-Propelled and Magnetic-Field-Navigated Porous Catalytic Janus Micromotor
Fengyu Wu1, Dongchao Yang1, Xiufeng Huang1
1Research Institute for Magnetoelectronics & Weak Magnetic-Field Detection, College of Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China.
Abstract:
In this study, a bubble-propelled catalytic Janus micromotor is demonstrated. This micromotor is magnetically controllable and is capable of both organics absorption and delivery. The motor is fabricated by a low-cost and eco-friendly physical method free from chemical reactions. Such a micromotor is effectively propelled by bubbles generated from hydrogen peroxide decomposition. Applied with a controlled magnetic field, the motor can travel along designed trajectories. An ultrafast travelling speed of up to 3.3 mm/s (∼320 body length) was reached in 6.3% (wt%) H₂O₂ solution. Additionally, Rodamine B was chosen as a target organic to proof the collection and transportation performance. The collection and release cycle of target organic is repeated for more than 25 times. This result reveals that the motor is efficient in organic absorption and transportation, indicating that the micromotor is promising in water decontamination and targeted drug delivery.
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