Recent Advances in One-Dimensional Micro/Nanomotors: Fabrication, Propulsion and Application

Abstract

Due to their tiny size, autonomous motion and functionalize modifications, micro/nanomotors have shown great potential for environmental remediation, biomedicine and micro/nano-engineering. One-dimensional (1D) micro/nanomotors combine the characteristics of anisotropy and large aspect ratio of 1D materials with the advantages of functionalization and autonomous motion of micro/nanomotors for revolutionary applications. In this review, we discuss current research progress on 1D micro/nanomotors, including the fabrication methods, driving mechanisms, and recent advances in environmental remediation and biomedical applications, as well as discuss current challenges and possible solutions. With continuous attention and innovation, the advancement of 1D micro/nanomotors will pave the way for the continued development of the micro/nanomotor field.

Keywords: 1D micro/nanomotors; Applications; Driving mechanisms; Fabrication methods.

Fig. 1

Schematic diagram of common structures, drive principles and applications of 1D micro/nanomotors. Single-segmented micro/nanorods: reprinted with permission from Ref. [20]. Copyright (2014) American Chemical Society. Two-segmented micro/nanorods: reprinted with permission from Ref. [4]. Copyright (2004) American Chemical Society. Multi-segmented micro/nanorods: reproduced with permission from Ref. [21]. Copyright (2017) John Wiley & Sons. Core–shell micro/nanorods: reprinted with permission from Ref. [22]. Copyright (2016) American Chemical Society. Micro/nanotubes: reproduced with permission from Ref. [23]. Copyright (2017) Royal Society of Chemical. Flexible micro/nanowires: reproduced with permission from Ref. [24]. Copyright (2012) John Wiley & Sons

Fig. 2

Methods commonly used to prepare 1D micro/nanomotors. a Electrochemical deposition technique. b Vapor-phase deposition technique c Rolled-up nanotechnology. d Hydrothermal synthesis technique. e Direct laser writing. f Atomic layer deposition

Fig. 3

a Single-segmented nanorods driven in ultrasonic fields and electric fields. b Driving mechanism of the gold nanorod motors in the acoustic field. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [20]. Copyright (2014) American Chemical Society c Driving mechanism of the Cu nanorod motors in the electric field

Fig. 4

a Two-segment nanorods driven in ultrasonic fields, chemical fuels, electric field and light. b Motion of Au/Ru Janus nanomotors in the ultrasound field. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [113]. Copyright (2016) American Chemical Society. c Pt/Ag Janus nanomotors generated from electrophoretic propulsion motors under illumination while regenerating the fuel. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [116]. Copyright (2016) American Chemical Society. d Driving mechanism of Fe₂O₃/Au Janus nanomotors in hydrogen peroxide environment. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [124]. Copyright (2017) Royal Society of Chemical

Fig. 5

a Multi-segment nanorods driven in ultrasonic fields, chemical fuels, electric field and magnetic fields. b Motion of Au/Ni/Au nanomotors in the ultrasonic field. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [159]. Copyright (2013) American Chemical Society. c Schematic illustration of the driving of the Au/Fe/Ni alloy nanomotor in a mixed fuel composed of hydrogen peroxide and hydrazine. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [127]. Copyright (2011) Royal Society of Chemical. d Schematic diagram of the magnetic response of the (Au/Ni) ₈ nanomotor. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [21]. Copyright (2017) John Wiley & Sons

Fig. 6

a Schematic diagram of a core–shell structured nanorods driven under light. b Schematic diagram of photochemically induced electrophoresis-driven Zn_XCd_1−XSe/Cu₂Se core–shell nanomotor. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [60]. Copyright (2019) Wiley–VCH. c Schematic illustration of the driving of the Au/Ru core–shell nanomotor in a hydrogen peroxide environment. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [130]. Copyright (2016) American Chemical Society. d Schematic diagram of the photocatalytic decomposition of BQ and driving the motor by the Sb₂Se₃/ZnO core–shell nanomotor. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [59]. Copyright (2019) Wiley–VCH

Fig. 7

a Schematic diagram of bubble driven tubular micro/nanomotors. b ZnO/Pt tubular micromotor driven in a chemical environment. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [23]. Copyright (2017) Royal Society of Chemical. c PANI/Zn tubular micrometer motor driven in a strong acid environment. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [41]. Copyright (2012) American Chemical Society. d Driving of a g-C₃N₄ tubular micrometer motor in a light field. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [79]. Copyright (2018) American Chemical Society

Fig. 8

a Schematic diagram of a flexible nanowire driven in a magnetic field. b Schematic diagram of the motion of the Au/Ag/Ni flexible nanomotor in a rotating magnetic field. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [43]. Copyright (2010) American Chemical Society. c Schematic diagram of the motion of the Au/Ag/Ni/Ag/Au flexible nanomotor in an oscillating magnetic field generated by a pair of electromagnets. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [137]. Copyright (2021) American Chemical Society. d Schematic illustration of the Ni/Ag flexible nanomotor moving and drug loading in a rotating magnetic field. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [162]. Copyright (2012) John Wiley & Sons

Fig. 9

Applications of 1D micro/nanomotors in different fields. a Au nanorod motor loaded with CASP-3 into cells and released into cells, leading to rapid cell apoptosis. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [39]. Copyright (2017) American Chemical Society. b Detection of cancer biomarker microRNA-21 with Au/Ni nanowires. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [125]. Copyright (2021) American Chemical Society. c Magnetic mesoporous CoNi@Pt nanorod degradation contaminants. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [171]. Copyright (2017) American Chemical Society. d E. coli captured by Au/Ni/Au micromotor modified concanavalin A. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [146]. Copyright (2017) Royal Society of Chemical