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Response of chemically active dimer motor in phase-separating binary fluid mixture: Motility regulation and
Surabhi Jaiswal1, Snigdha Thakur1
1Department of Physics, <a href="https://ror.org/02rb21j89">Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal</a>, Madhya Pradesh 462066, India.
Physical Review. E
|December 18, 2024
Summary
Chemically powered nanomotors exhibit altered propulsion in phase-separating fluids. Their velocity can reverse due to fluid flow, leading to self-assembled structures.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Synthetic nanomotors are typically designed with miscible fuel and product components.
- The behavior of nanomotors in phase-separating fluids remains less explored.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for advanced nanomotor design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamical properties of a dimer nanomotor in a phase-separating binary mixture.
- To analyze how phase separation affects nanomotor propulsion velocity and collective behavior.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of a dimer nanomotor model.
- Simulation of motor dynamics in a binary fluid with varying phase separation strengths.
- Examination of fluid flow generation around the nanomotor.
Main Results:
- Nanomotor propulsion velocity is dependent on phase separation strength and dimer activity.
- Velocity can decrease or reverse direction, linked to generated fluid flow.
- Collective motor dynamics lead to the formation of self-assembled structures.
Conclusions:
- Phase separation significantly impacts nanomotor performance, offering new control mechanisms.
- Velocity reversal presents a novel propulsion strategy driven by fluid dynamics.
- Self-assembly of nanomotors in phase-separating fluids opens possibilities for novel material design.
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