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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
08:40
Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging
Published on: March 13, 2019
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Photo- and Redox-Driven Artificial Molecular Motors
Massimo Baroncini1,2, Serena Silvi1,3, Alberto Credi1,2
1CLAN-Center for Light Activated Nanostructures , Istituto ISOF-CNR , via Gobetti 101 , 40129 Bologna , Italy.
Chemical Reviews
|August 16, 2019
Summary
Chemists create artificial molecular motors mimicking nature for nanoscale motion. These devices use light (photonic) or chemical (redox) stimuli for controlled movement, advancing nanotechnological applications.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Nature utilizes chemically driven motor proteins for directed nanoscale motion.
- Artificial molecular motors are synthetic constructs inspired by biological counterparts.
- Photonic and redox stimuli offer promising activation methods for artificial motors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the recent advancements in photo- and redox-driven artificial molecular motors.
- To analyze the principles governing molecular-scale directed movement.
- To discuss the functions, limitations, and future prospects of these synthetic devices.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of work published in the past 5 years.
- Analysis of fundamental photochemical and redox processes.
- Classification and illustration of main classes of light- and redox-driven molecular motors.
Main Results:
- Detailed overview of recent designs in artificial molecular motors.
- Description of various functions achieved by these motors.
- Critical discussion of the current state of the field.
Conclusions:
- Artificial molecular motors driven by light or redox stimuli represent a rapidly evolving field.
- These synthetic nanodevices hold significant potential for technological applications.
- Further research is needed to overcome current limitations and explore future possibilities.
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