Autonomous movement induced in chemically powered active soft-oxometalates using dithionite as fuel

Abstract

Synthesis of autonomously moving nano or micromotors is an immediate challenge in current nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this work we report a system based on soft-oxometalates (SOMs) which is very easy to synthesize and moves autonomously in response to chemical stimuli like that of a reducing agent-dithionite. The redox active MoVI sites of SOMs are used for oxidizing dithionite to generate SO2 to propel the micromotors. We explain this motion qualitatively and also show how surface interaction and adsorption isotherm of the evolved gas influence the power conversion efficiency of these micromotors.