Multifunctional Silver-Exchanged Zeolite Micromotors for Catalytic Detoxification of Chemical and Biological Threats

Multifunctional reactive-zeolite-based micromotors have been developed and characterized toward effective and rapid elimination of chemical and biological threats. The incorporation of silver ions (Ag+) into aluminosilicate zeolite framework imparts several attractive functions, including strong binding to chemical warfare agents (CWA) followed by effective degradation, and enhanced antibacterial activity. The new zeolite-micromotors protocol thus combines the remarkable adsorption capacity of zeolites and the efficient catalytic properties of the reactive Ag+ ions with the autonomous movement of the zeolite micromotors for an accelerated detoxification of CWA. Furthermore, the high antibacterial activity of Ag+ along with the rapid micromotor movement enhances the contact between bacteria and reactive Ag+, leading to a powerful on-the-fly bacteria killing capacity. These attractive adsorptive/catalytic features of the self-propelled zeolite micromotors eliminate secondary environmental contamination compared to adsorptive micromotors. The distinct cubic geometry of the zeolite micromotors leads to enhanced bubble generation and faster movement, in unique movement trajectories, which increases the fluid convection and highly efficient detoxification of CWA and killing of bacteria. The attractive capabilities of these zeolite micromotors will pave the way for their diverse applications in defense, environmental and biomedical applications in more economical and sustainable manner.