Self-Propelled Nanotools

Alexander A. Solovev†, Wang Xi†, David H. Gracias†‡, Stefan M. Harazim†, Christoph Deneke†§, Samuel Sanchez†*, and Oliver G. Schmidt†

^† Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, IFW Dresden, Helmholtzstrasse 20, D-01069 Dresden, Germany

^‡ Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States

^§ Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia, Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, Brazil

 Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, Reichenhainer Strasse 70, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany

ACS Nano, Article ASAP

DOI: 10.1021/nn204762w

Publication Date (Web): January 10, 2012

Copyright © 2012 American Chemical Society

Abstract:

We describe nanoscale tools in the form of autonomous and remotely guided catalytically self-propelled InGaAs/GaAs/(Cr)Pt tubes. These rolled-up tubes with diameters in the range of 280–600 nm move in hydrogen peroxide solutions with speeds as high as 180 μm s^–1. The effective transfer of chemical energy to translational motion has allowed these tubes to perform useful tasks such as transport of cargo. Furthermore, we observed that, while cylindrically rolled-up tubes move in a straight line, asymmetrically rolled-up tubes move in a corkscrew-like trajectory, allowing these tubes to drill and embed themselves into biomaterials. Our observations suggest that shape and asymmetry can be utilized to direct the motion of catalytic nanotubes and enable mechanized functions at the nanoscale.