Halogen–copper redox chemistry as a driving force for spherical Janus microswimmers

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Henze, Kelly and Xiao, Zuyao and Mohamed, Khalifa and Simmchen, Juliane (2025) Halogen–copper redox chemistry as a driving force for spherical Janus microswimmers. Chemical Communications. ISSN 1364-548X (https://doi.org/10.1039/d5cc00405e)

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Abstract

Most Janus particle microswimmers use catalytic reaction mechanisms, including hydrogen peroxide or hydrazine degradation, to generate gradients for self-propulsion. However, several alternative reaction mechanisms can also lead to activity, including the redox reactions of noble metals, enzymes and glucose, often using spherical Cu@SiO2 Janus particles. Copper, as a very versatile metal, is involved in reactions, as an oxidant or as an electrode, for example in dilute halogen solutions. This so-called nanobattery system works well for rod-shaped bimetallic and shape-asymmetric rods. To allow comparability with simulations, we present the adaptation of this propulsion reaction for Janus colloids. Altogether, this study provides an overview of the chemical process and swimming behaviour of spherical Cu@SiO2 Janus particles in dilute halogen solutions. We combine an experimental approach that includes the determination of the effect of particle size and cap thickness, supported by simulations of these systems.

ORCID iDs

Henze, Kelly, Xiao, Zuyao, Mohamed, Khalifa and Simmchen, Juliane ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9073-9770;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:92512
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    21 March 2025
    Published
    21 March 2025
    Published Online
    20 March 2025
    Accepted
    24 January 2025
    Submitted
    Subjects:Science > Chemistry
    Department:Faculty of Science > Pure and Applied Chemistry
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:02 Apr 2025 08:44
    Last modified:03 Apr 2025 00:21
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/92512
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