Light-controlled propulsion, aggregation and separation of water-fuelled TiO2/Pt Janus submicromotors and their “on-the-fly” photocatalytic activities

Abstract

In this work, water-fuelled TiO₂/Pt Janus submicromotors with light-controlled motions have been developed by utilizing the asymmetrical photocatalytic water redox reaction over TiO₂/Pt Janus submicrospheres under UV irradiation. The motion state, speed, aggregation and separation behaviors of the TiO₂/Pt Janus submicromotor can be reversibly, wirelessly and remotely controlled at will by regulating the “on/off” switch, intensity and pulsed/continuous irradiation mode of UV light. The motion of the water-fuelled TiO₂/Pt Janus submicromotor is governed by light-induced self-electrophoresis under the local electrical field generated by the asymmetrical water oxidation and reduction reactions on its surface. The TiO₂/Pt Janus submicromotors can interact with each other through the light-switchable electrostatic forces, and hence continuous and pulsed UV irradiation can make the TiO₂/Pt Janus submicromotors aggregate and separate at will, respectively. Because of the enhanced mass exchange between the environment and active submicromotors, the separated TiO₂/Pt Janus submicromotors powered by the pulsed UV irradiation show a much higher activity for the photocatalytic degradation of the organic dye than the aggregated TiO₂/Pt submicromotors. The water-fuelled TiO₂/Pt Janus submicromotors developed here have some outstanding advantages as “swimming” photocatalysts for organic pollutant remediation in the macro or microenvironment (microchannels and microwells in microchips) because of their small size, long-term stability, wirelessly controllable motion behaviors and long life span.