Open AccessPhotocatalytic BiVO 4 Microswimmers with Bimodal Swimming Strategies
Author(s) -
Heckel Sandra,
Simmchen Juliane
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced intelligent systems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2640-4567
DOI - 10.1002/aisy.201900093
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , nanotechnology , materials science , simple (philosophy) , chemical engineering , computer science , chemistry , catalysis , engineering , organic chemistry , philosophy , epistemology
Photocatalytic micromotors are developing rapidly and environmental applications seem very promising and within reach. However, the complex synthesis strategies, jointly with the large band gaps of most efficient swimmers inhibit both, applications and upscaling. Herein, a simple solvothermal synthesis of well defined, catalytically active BiVO 4 microparticles, which can propel efficiently without asymmetrization is presented. Those microparticles respond to blue and UV light and are able to switch between different motion strategies, similar to bacterial microswimmers. These behavioral changes are controlled by changing the pH value of the environment.