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Nanorods Based on Mesoporous Silica Containing Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Catalytic Nanomotors: Study of Motion Dynamics
Author(s) -
Mestre Rafael,
Cadefau Núria,
Hortelão Ana C.,
Grzelak Jan,
Gich Martí,
Roig Anna,
Sánchez Samuel
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemnanomat
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 32
ISSN - 2199-692X
DOI - 10.1002/cnma.202000557
Subject(s) - nanorod , mesoporous silica , mesoporous material , nanotechnology , materials science , nanoparticle , fabrication , catalysis , porosity , chemical engineering , chemistry , composite material , medicine , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology , engineering
Self‐propelled particles and, in particular, those based on mesoporous silica, have raised considerable interest due to their potential applications in the environmental and biomedical fields thanks to their biocompatibility, tunable surface chemistry and large porosity. Although spherical particles have been widely used to fabricate nano‐ and micromotors, not much attention has been paid to other geometries, such as nanorods. Here, we report the fabrication of self‐propelled mesoporous silica nanorods (MSNRs) that move by the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by a sputtered Pt layer, Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles grown within the mesopores, or the synergistic combination of both. We show that motion can occur in two distinct sub‐populations characterized by two different motion dynamics, namely enhanced diffusion or directional propulsion, especially when both catalysts are used. These results open up the possibility of using MSNRs as chassis for the fabrication of self‐propelled particles for the environmental or biomedical fields.