Issue 14, 2020

Self-thermophoresis at the nanoscale using light induced solvation dynamics

Abstract

Downsizing microswimmers to the nanoscale, and using light as an externally controlled fuel, are two important goals within the field of active matter. Here we demonstrate using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations that solvation relaxation, the solvent dynamics induced after visible light electronic excitation of a fluorophore, can be used to propel nanoparticles immersed in polar solvents. We show that fullerenes functionalized with fluorophore molecules in liquid water exhibit substantial enhanced mobility under external excitation, with a propulsion speed proportional to the power dissipated into the system. We show that the propulsion mechanism is quantitatively consistent with a molecular scale instance of self-thermophoresis. Strategies to direct the motion of functionalized fullerenes in a given direction using confined environments are also discussed.

Graphical abstract: Self-thermophoresis at the nanoscale using light induced solvation dynamics

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
10 Feb 2020
Accepted
20 Mar 2020
First published
30 Mar 2020

Nanoscale, 2020,12, 7557-7562

Author version available

Self-thermophoresis at the nanoscale using light induced solvation dynamics

C. Calero, E. L. Sibert III and R. Rey, Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 7557 DOI: 10.1039/D0NR01169J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements