Kai Feng, Jiang Gong*, Jinping Qu, Ran Niu*

Dual-mode driven micromotor based on foam-like carbon nitride and Fe₃O₄ with improved manipulation and photocatalytic performance

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2022) (IF2022 = 10.383)

Micro/nanomotors have emerged as a vibrant research topic in biomedical and environmental fields due to the attractive self-propulsion as well as small-scale functionalities. However, single actuated micro/nanomotors are not adaptive in facing intricate natural and industrial environments. Herein we propose a new dual-mode driven micromotor based on foam-like carbon nitride (f-C₃N₄) with precipitated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, namely Fe₃O₄/f-C₃N₄, powered by chemical/magnetic stimuli for rapid reduction of organic pollutants. Fe₃O₄/f-C₃N₄ motor composed of a 3D porous “foam-like” structure and precipitated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (ca. 50 nm) not only exhibits efficient photocatalytic performance under visible light, but also shows versatile and programmable motion behavior under the control of external magnetic fields. The aggregation of micromotor under external rotating magnetic field further enhances the catalytic activity by the increased local catalyst concentration. Furthermore, the magnetic property endows the micromotor with easy recyclability. This study provides a novel dual mode driven micromotor for antibiotics removal with magnetic field and light-enhanced performance in industrial wastewater treatment at a low cost.