What is it about?
This paper presents a novel NIR-driven nanomotor system based on Ag–Ag₂S–TiO₂ hybrid nanoparticles that move through a photothermal mechanism without fuel or chemical additives. Upon exposure to 700 nm NIR light, the Ag–Ag₂S domain generates a local temperature gradient, enabling rapid and directional motion via thermophoresis. The system is among the fastest reported NIR nanomotors, reaching speeds up to 23 µm/s. Advanced spectroscopy confirmed that propulsion is not photocatalytic but thermally induced. The study highlights potential applications in drug delivery, environmental sensing, and microfluidics, offering a sustainable and biocompatible nanotechnology solution.
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Why is it important?
It introduces a fuel-free, light-powered nanomotor system that overcomes limitations of conventional nanoscale propulsion, such as the need for chemical fuels. By relying solely on NIR light, which is safe, non-invasive, and capable of penetrating biological tissues and fluids, these nanomotors offer a biocompatible and sustainable solution for a range of applications.
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: High-speed NIR light-driven nanomotors prepared via hybridization of TiO
2 and Janus Ag-Ag
2S nanoparticles, Nano Research, June 2024, Tsinghua University Press,
DOI: 10.26599/nr.2025.94907505.
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