Self-Propelled Multifunctional Microrobots Harboring Chiral Supramolecular Selectors for Enantiorecognition-on-the-Fly

Herein, a general procedure for the synthesis of multifunctional MRs, which simultaneously exhibit i) chiral, ii) magnetic, and iii) fluorescent properties in combination with iv) self-propulsion, is reported. Self-propelled Ni@Pt superparamagnetic microrockets have been functionalized with fluorescent CdS quantum dots carrying a chiral host biomolecule as beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The on-the-fly chiral recognition potential of MRs has been interrogated by taking advantage of the beta-CD affinity to supramolecularly accommodate different chiral biomolecules (i.e., amino acids). As a proofof-concept, tryptophan enantiomers have been discriminated with a dual-mode (optical and electrochemical) readout. This approach paves the way to devise intelligent cargo micromachines with built-in chiral supramolecular recognition capabilities to elucidate the concept of enantiorecognition-on-the-fly, which might be facilely customized by tailoring the supramolecular host-guest encapsulation.

Automated summary

A general procedure for synthesizing multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles with chiral, magnetic, and fluorescent properties, as well as self-propulsion, is reported here. The researchers functionalized self-propelled Ni@Pt superparamagnetic microrockets with fluorescent CdS quantum dots, which carried a chiral host biomolecule. The on-the-fly chiral recognition potential of these nanoparticles was demonstrated by their ability to selectively accommodate different chiral biomolecules. The study opens up possibilities for designing intelligent cargo micromachines with built-in chiral supramolecular recognition capabilities.