Turn‐Number‐Dependent Motion Behavior of Catalytic Helical Carbon Micro/Nanomotors

Helical micro/nanomotors (MNMs) can be propelled by external fields to swim through highly viscous fluids like complex biological environments, which promises miniaturized robotic tools to perform assigned tasks at small scales. However, the catalytic propulsion method, most widely adopted to drive MNMs, is seldom studied to actuate helical MNMs. Herein, we report catalytic helical carbon MNMs (CHCM) by sputtering Pt onto helical carbon nano‐coils (HCNC) that are in bulk prepared by a thermal chemical vapor deposition method. The Pt‐triggered H₂O₂ decomposition can drive the MNMs by an electrokinetic mechanism. The MNMs demonstrate versatile motion behaviors including both directional propulsion and rotation depending on the turn number of the carbon helix. Besides, due to the ease of surface functionalization on carbon and other properties such as biocompatibility and photothermal effect, the helical carbon MNMs promise multifunctional applications for biomedical or environmental applications.     

Chemically Powered Micro‐ and Nanomotors

Chemically powered micro‐ and nanomotors are small devices that are self‐propelled by catalytic reactions in fluids. Taking inspiration from biomotors, scientists are aiming to find the best architecture for self‐propulsion, understand the mechanisms of motion, and develop accurate control over the motion. Remotely guided nanomotors can transport cargo to desired targets, drill into biomaterials, sense their environment, mix or pump fluids, and clean polluted water. This Review summarizes the major advances in the growing field of catalytic nanomotors, which started ten years ago.     

Experiments with active and driven synthetic colloids in complex fluids

In this review, we focus on recent experimental research involving active colloidal particles of non-biological origin evolving in non-Newtonian fluids. This includes self-propelling active particles and particles driven by external fields. We present different propulsion strategies that are either enabled, or strongly modified, by the presence of a complex medium. This paves the way for novel mechanisms of active transport in biofluids or in other non-Newnotian fluids. When considering the medium, we differentiate between disordered complex fluids, such as diluted polymer solutions, and liquid crystals. While the latter are also viscoelastic fluids, the ability to control their molecular orientation results in distinct colloidal driving and steering mechanisms, and enables new types of active soft matter in the form of active quasi-particles.     

Chemical/Light‐Powered Hybrid Micromotors with “On‐the‐Fly” Optical Brakes

Hybrid micromotors capable of both chemically powered propulsion and fuel‐free light‐driven actuation and offering built‐in optical brakes for chemical propulsion are described. The new hybrid micromotors are designed by combining photocatalytic TiO₂ and catalytic Pt surfaces into a Janus microparticle. The chemical reactions on the different surfaces of the Janus particle hybrid micromotor can be tailored by using chemical or light stimuli that generate counteracting propulsion forces on the catalytic Pt and photocatalytic TiO₂ sides. Such modulation of the surface chemistry on a single micromotor leads to switchable propulsion modes and reversal of the direction of motion that reflect the tuning of the local ion concentration and hence the dominant propulsion force. An intermediate Au layer (under the Pt surface) plays an important role in determining the propulsion mechanism and operation of the hybrid motor. The built‐in optical braking system allows “on‐the‐fly” control of the chemical propulsion through a photocatalytic reaction on the TiO₂ side to counterbalance the chemical propulsion force generated on the Pt side. The adaptive dual operation of these chemical/light hybrid micromotors, associated with such control of the surface chemistry, holds considerable promise for designing smart nanomachines that autonomously reconfigure their propulsion mode for various on‐demand operations.     

Induction of Helical Structure by Sesamin,and Production of Oriented Helical Polymer with Liquid Crystal Magneto‐Electrochemical Polymerization

Sesamin was employed as a chiral dopant for preparing cholesteric liquid crystals with right‐handed helical architecture. Helical twisting power of sesamin is to be 13.4 μm^?1. Electrochemical polymerizations were carried out with sesamin‐induced cholesteric liquid crystal electrolyte solution for obtaining conjugated polymer films with helical structure. The film was transcribed the helical order from the liquid crystal electrolyte solution with helical structure produced by sesamin during the polymerization process. The helical axes of the macromolecular superstructure of the polymer films were oriented in a magnetic field of 4.5 T. This results demonstrated liquid crystal magneto‐electrochemical polymerization with helical structure induced by sesamin as a natural chiral compound. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 1894–1899     

Acoustic Propulsion of Nanorod Motors Inside Living Cells

The ultrasonic propulsion of rod‐shaped nanomotors inside living HeLa cells is demonstrated. These nanomotors (gold rods about 300 nm in diameter and about 3 μm long) attach strongly to the external surface of the cells, and are readily internalized by incubation with the cells for periods longer than 24 h. Once inside the cells, the nanorod motors can be activated by resonant ultrasound operating at 4 MHz, and show axial propulsion as well as spinning. The intracellular propulsion does not involve chemical fuels or high‐power ultrasound and the HeLa cells remain viable. Ultrasonic propulsion of nanomotors may thus provide a new tool for probing the response of living cells to internal mechanical excitation, for controllably manipulating intracellular organelles, and for biomedical applications.     

Core@Satellite Janus Nanomotors with pH‐Responsive Multi‐phoretic Propulsion

We report core@satellite Janus mesoporous silica‐Pt@Au (JMPA) nanomotors with pH‐responsive multi‐phoretic propulsion. The JMPA nanomotors first undergo self‐diffusiophoretic propulsion in 3.0 % H₂O₂ due to the isolation of the Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) from the PtNPs layer. Then the weak acidity of H₂O₂ can trigger the disassembly and reassembly of the AuNPs, resulting in the Janus distribution of large AuNPs aggregates. Such reconstruction of JMPA leads to the contact between PtNPs and AuNPs aggregates, thus changing the propulsion mechanism to self‐electrophoresis. The asymmetric and aggregated AuNPs also enable the generation of a thermal gradient under laser irradiation, which propels the JMPA nanomotors by self‐thermophoresis. Such multi‐phoretic propulsion offers considerable promise for developing advanced nanomachines with a stimuli‐responsive switch of propulsion modes in biomedical applications.     

Synthesis,physico‐chemical and biological study of trialkylsiloxyalkyl amine coated iron oxide/oleic acid magnetic nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer

New original water‐soluble magnetic nanoparticles based on natural components, magnetite–oleic acid–biologically active silyl modified alkanolamine, were synthesized. Physico‐chemical characterization, i.e. magnetic properties, concentration of magnetite, size of iron oxide core, of the nanoparticles synthesized and the corresponding magnetic fluids obtained, was carried out. Magnetic fluids were screened for in vitro cytotoxicity concerning human fibrosarcoma (HT‐1080), mouse hepatoma (MG‐22A) monolayer tumour cell lines and normal mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3). They possess low or moderate cytotoxic effects, are non‐toxic, exhibit high NO‐induction ability and strongly change tumour cell morphology. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ionic Liquid Propellants: Future Fuels for Space Propulsion

Use of green propellants is a trend for future space propulsion. Hypergolic ionic liquid propellants, which are environmentally‐benign while exhibiting energetic performances comparable to hydrazine, have shown great potential to meet the requirements of developing nontoxic high‐performance propellant formulations for space propulsion applications. This Concept article presents a review of recent advances in the field of ionic liquid propellants.     

Noncontinuous Super‐Diffusive Dynamics of a Light‐Activated Nanobottle Motor

We report a carbonaceous nanobottle (CNB) motor for near infrared (NIR) light‐driven jet propulsion. The bottle structure of the CNB motor is fabricated by soft‐template‐based polymerization. Upon illumination with NIR light, the photothermal effect of the CNB motor carbon shell causes a rapid increase in the temperature of the water inside the nanobottle and thus the ejection of the heated fluid from the open neck, which propels the CNB motor. The occurrence of an explosion, the on/off motion, and the swing behavior of the CNB motor can be modulated by adjusting the NIR light source. Moreover, we simulated the physical field distribution (temperature, fluid velocity, and pressure) of the CNB motor to demonstrate the mechanism of NIR light‐driven jet propulsion. This NIR light‐powered CNB motor exhibits fuel‐free propulsion and control of the swimming velocity by external light and has great potential for future biomedical applications.     

NMR and MRI of blood-dissolved hyperpolarized Xe-129 in different hollow-fiber membranes

Magnetic resonance of hyperpolarized (129)Xe has found a wide field of applications in the analysis of biologically relevant fluids. Recently, it has been shown that the dissolution of hyperpolarized gas into the fluid via hollow-fiber membranes leads to bubble-free (129)Xe augmentation, and thus to an enhanced signal. In addition, hollow-fiber membranes permit a continuous operation mode. Herein, a quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy analysis of a customized hollow-fiber membrane module is presented. Different commercial hollow-fiber membrane types are compared with regard to their (129)Xe dissolution efficiency into porcine blood, its constituents, and other fluids. The presented study gives new insight into the suitability of these hollow-fiber membrane types for hyperpolarized gas dissolution setups.     

Multi‐Light‐Responsive Quantum Dot Sensitized Hybrid Micromotors with Dual‐Mode Propulsion

CdS quantum dots/C₆₀ tubular micromotors with chemical/multi‐light‐controlled propulsion and “on‐the‐fly” acceleration capabilities are described. In situ growth of CdS quantum dots on the outer fullerene layer imparts this layer with light‐responsive properties in connection to inner Pt, Pd or MnO₂ layers. This is the first time that visible light is used to drive bubble‐propelled tubular micromotors. The micromotors exhibit a broad absorption range from 320 to 670 nm and can be wirelessly controlled by modulating light intensity and peroxide concentration. The built‐in accelerating optical system allows for the control of the velocity over the entire UV/Vis light spectra by modulating the catalyst surface chemistry. The light‐responsive properties have been also exploited to accelerate the chemical dealloying and propulsion of micromotors containing a Cu/Pd layer. Such dual operated hybrid micromotors hold considerable promise for designing smart micromachines for on‐demand operations, motion‐based sensing, and enhanced cargo transportation.     

Stimuli‐Responsive Microjets with Reconfigurable Shape

Flexible thermoresponsive polymeric microjets are formed by the self‐folding of polymeric layers containing a thin Pt film used as catalyst for self‐propulsion in solutions containing hydrogen peroxide. The flexible microjets can reversibly fold and unfold in an accurate manner by applying changes in temperature to the solution in which they are immersed. This effect allows microjets to rapidly start and stop multiple times by controlling the radius of curvature of the microjet. This work opens many possibilities in the field of artificial nanodevices, for fundamental studies on self‐propulsion at the microscale, and also for biorelated applications.     

Self‐assembly of supramolecular polymers into tunable helical structures

There is growing interest in the design of synthetic molecules that are able to self‐assemble into a polymeric chain with compact helical conformations, which is analogous to the folded state of natural proteins. Herein, we highlight supramolecular approach to the formation of helical architectures and their conformational changes driven by external stimuli. Helical organization in synthetic self‐assembling systems can be achieved by the various types of noncovalent interactions, which include hydrogen bonding, solvophobic effects, and metal‐ligand interactions. Since the external environment can have a large influence on the strength and configuration of noncovalent interactions between the individual components, stimulus‐induced alterations in the intramolecular noncovalent interactions can result in dynamic conformational change of the supramolecular helical structure thus, driving significant changes in the properties of the materials. Therefore, these supramolecular helices hold great promise as stimuli‐responsive materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1925–1935, 2008     

Macromolecular architecture of group 10 metal‐poly(yne)s: dendritic,hyperbranched, and helical macromolecules

Novel two‐ and three‐dimensional organometallic polymers of palladium and platinum have been prepared by choice of some acetylene linkages with characteristic structures. When o‐diethynylbenzene was used for a bridging ligand, a macrocyclic complex was selectively produced. Helical poly(yne) polymers were prepared from the reaction with chiral 1,1′‐bi(6‐ethynyl‐2‐naphthol). Platinum acetylide dendrimers, in which platinum atoms are linked by 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene derivatives, have been prepared by a convergent method up to the third generation.     

磁流变液组分对其沉降性影响的研究进展

磁流变液是一种形态和性能受外加磁场控制的新型智能材料。在汽车、建筑、医疗、航空航天多种领域具有重要的应用价值,但磁流变液沉降性问题一直是影响其广泛应用的难题。因此,首先从载液、磁性颗粒和添加剂三方面出发,简要回顾了近几年在磁流变液沉降性方面的研究,指出了影响磁流变液沉降性的因素主要有：载液的粘度、磁性颗粒的形状和尺寸、磁性颗粒与载液之间的密度差、添加剂的种类与添加量等。并给出了有效提高磁流变液沉降性的可行策略,最后从磁流变液的沉降现象与应用方面对沉降性研究进行了展望。     

Supramolecular Diblock Copolymers Featuring Well‐defined Telechelic Building Blocks

We report supramolecular AB diblock copolymers comprised of well‐defined telechelic building blocks. Helical motifs, formed via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) or anionic polymerization, are assembled with coil‐forming and sheet‐featuring blocks obtained via atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) or ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Interpolymer hydrogen bonding or metal‐coordination achieves dynamic diblock architectures featuring hybrid topologies of coils, helices, and/or π‐stacked sheets that, on a basic level, mimic protein structural motifs in fully synthetic systems. The intrinsic properties of each block (e.g., circular dichroism and fluorescence) remain unaffected in the wake of self‐assembly. This strategy to develop complex synthetic polymer scaffolds from functional building blocks is significant in a field striving to produce architectures reminiscent of biosynthesis, yet fully synthetic in nature. This is the first plug‐and‐play approach to fabricate hybrid π‐sheet/helix, π‐sheet/coil, and helix/coil architectures via directional self‐assembly.     

Air stable Fe and Fe?Co magnetic fluids—synthesis and characterization

Thermolysis of Fe(CO)₅ and Co₂(CO)₈, dissolved in tetrahydronaphthalene, in the presence of aluminum trialkyl leads to uniform‐sized Fe or Fe? Co nanoparticles, respectively. Subsequent treatment with very dilute oxygen forms a shell which protects the metallic or alloyed core of the particles against further oxidation. With the help of surfactants, for instance oleic acid or cashew nut shell liquid, the particles can be peptized in organic solvents like toluene or kerosene, resulting in magnetic fluids with extraordinary magnetic properties. The saturation of magnetization, M_s, of the fluids was determined by specific magnetization. The sizes and structure of the particles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, and Moessbauer analysis showed that the core of the particles was metallic or alloyed, respectively. The particle surface termination was studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal‐ and collision‐induced dissociation studies of functionalized imidazolium‐based ionic liquid cations

Ionic liquids are now used in applications ranging from chemical synthesis to spacecraft propulsion. With this comes the need to characterize new syntheses, identify environmental contamination, and determine eventual fate in terrestrial and space environments. This work investigates the effects of source conditions, particularly capillary temperature, on the observed mass spectrum and determines the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) patterns of imidazolium‐based ionic liquid cations as a function of their substituent types. Experiments were carried out on a Thermo LTQ‐XL ion‐trap mass spectrometer and a Bruker microTOF‐Q II mass spectrometer. Dissociation of the imidazolium cations occurred predominantly via substituent losses, except in benzyl‐substituted systems, for which the neutral loss of the imidazole was exclusively observed. Several of these dissociation pathways were studied in greater depth using complementary quantum chemical calculations. The nature of the neutral losses from the substituents was found to be highly dependent upon the nature of the substituent, as would be expected, establishing bases for characterization.     

Motility of catalytic nanoparticles through self-generated forces

Small-scale synthetic motors capable of generating their own motive forces by exploiting the chemical free energy of their environment represent an important step in developing practical nanomachines. Catalytic particles are capable of generating concentration and other gradients that can be used to self-propel small objects. However, the autonomous movement of catalytic nanoparticles by self-generated forces is a relatively unexplored area in colloid and interfacial chemistry. This paper explores the potential of catalytically self-generated forces for propulsion of small objects through fluids.