Visible-light-driven cuprous oxide nanomotors with surface-heterojunction-induced propulsion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Intelligent nanovehicles require controllable synthesis and customized design.
• Light-driven micro/nanomotors typically rely on asymmetrical structures or geometry-dependent propulsion.
• Exploiting inherent crystal-structure differences within single colloidal motors remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel surface-heterojunction-induced propulsion methodology for cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanomotors.
• To tailor Cu2O crystalloid morphology into truncated octahedrons, preserving specific crystal facets ({100} and {111}).
• To investigate the impact of crystal facet heterojunctions on nanomotor performance.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanomotors with truncated octahedral morphology.
• Utilized density functional theory (DFT) calculations to confirm enhanced electron-hole separation.
• Tested nanomotor propulsion in biocompatible fuels under visible light.

Main Results:

• A surface heterojunction formed between {100} and {111} crystal facets of Cu2O nanomotors.
• Enhanced electron-hole separation was confirmed, leading to autonomous and vigorous movement.
• Propulsion speed in water exceeded twice that of polycrystalline spherical motors.

Conclusions:

• The surface-heterojunction-induced propulsion is a viable strategy for designing efficient light-driven nanomotors.
• Tailoring crystal morphology and facets significantly enhances nanomotor performance.
• These Cu2O nanomotors show promise for applications in biocompatible environments.