2D Active Nanobots Based on Soft Nanoarchitectonics Powered by an Ultralow Fuel Concentration

Enzyme catalysis to power micro/nanomotors has received tremendous attention because of the vast potential in applications ranging from biomedicine to environmental remediation. However, the current design is mainly based on a complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture, with limited accessible surface areas for the catalytic sites, and thus requires a higher fuel concentration to achieve active motion. Herein we report for the first time an enzyme-powered 2D nanobot, which was designed by a facile strategy based on soft nanoarchitectonics for active motion at an ultralow fuel concentration (0.003 % H2O2). The 2D nanobots exhibited efficient positive chemotactic behavior and the ability to swim against gravity by virtue of solutal buoyancy. As a proof-of-concept, the 2D nanobots showed an excellent capability for on-the-fly removal of methylene blue (MB) dye with an efficiency of 85 %.

Automated summary

This article introduces an enzyme-powered 2D nanobot that achieves active motion at low fuel concentrations and demonstrates excellent chemical behavior and dye removal capabilities.