Photoactivated micromachines are at the forefront of the micro- and nanomotors field, as light is the main power source of many biological systems. Currently, this rapidly developing field is based on metal-containing segments, typically TiO₂ and precious metals. Herein, we present metal-free tubular micromotors solely based on graphitic carbon nitride, as highly scalable and low-cost micromachines that can be actuated by turning on/off the light source. These micromotors are able to move by a photocatalytic-induced bubble-propelled mechanism under visible light irradiation, without any metal-containing part or biochemical molecule on their structure. Furthermore, they exhibit interesting properties, such as a translucent tubular structure that allows the optical visualization of the O₂ bubble formation and migration inside the microtubes, as well as inherent fluorescence and adsorptive capability. Such properties were exploited for the removal of a heavy metal from contaminated water with the concomitant optical monitoring of its adsorption by fluorescence quenching. This multifunctional approach contributes to the development of metal-free bubble-propelled tubular micromotors actuated under visible light irradiation for environmental applications.

中文翻译：

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具有固有荧光和开/关功能的无金属可见光光活化C ₃ N ₄气泡驱动管状微电机

由于光是许多生物系统的主要动力，因此光活化微机处于微电机和纳米电机领域的最前沿。当前，这个快速发展的领域是基于含金属的链段，通常是TiO ₂和贵金属。本文中，我们介绍了仅基于石墨碳氮化物的无金属管状微型电机，它们是可通过打开/关闭光源来致动的高度可扩展且低成本的微型电机。这些微马达能够在可见光照射下通过光催化诱导的气泡推进机制运动，而在它们的结构上没有任何含金属的部分或生化分子。此外，它们还表现出令人感兴趣的特性，例如半透明的管状结构，可以对O _2进行光学可视化。气泡在微管内的形成和迁移，以及固有的荧光和吸附能力。利用这样的性质从污染的水中去除重金属，同时通过荧光猝灭对其光学吸附进行光学监控。这种多功能方法有助于开发在环境光下在可见光照射下致动的无金属气泡推进管状微电机。