Lanthanoid-doped BiVO₄ microswimmers with built-in photon upconversion and light-driven motion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Developing advanced microswimmers requires integrating multiple functionalities.
• Photon upconversion and photocatalytic propulsion are key for advanced applications.
• Current methods often involve complex multi-component assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a one-step synthesis of lanthanoid-doped BiVO₄ microswimmers.
• To integrate photon upconversion and light-driven propulsion into a single particle.
• To explore novel multifunctional photoactive microswimmers.

Main Methods:

• One-step synthesis of lanthanoid-doped BiVO₄.
• Utilizing Ytterbium (Yb³⁺) and Erbium (Er³⁺) for doping.
• Characterizing the upconversion and propulsion properties.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized single-component BiVO₄ microswimmers.
• Achieved near-infrared-to-visible photon upconversion via Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ doping.
• Demonstrated light-driven photocatalytic propulsion.

Conclusions:

• A straightforward strategy for creating multifunctional microswimmers was established.
• The developed microswimmers possess intrinsic luminescence and propulsion capabilities.
• Opens opportunities for environmental and biomedical applications.