From Passive Inorganic Oxides to Active Matters of Micro/Nanomotors

Controllable actuation and coordinating motion of artificial self-propelled micro/nanomotors to mimic the motile natural microorganism systems are of great significance for constructing intelligent nanoscale machines. In particular, inorganic oxide particles have shown considerable promise in implementation of synthetic micro/nanomotors, due to their unique features and active response to environmental stimuli. This work critically reviews the recent progress in inorganic oxide-based micro/nanomotors and focuses on their propulsion response to chemical and physical stimuli, especially emphasizing and discussing operating principles in the single engine, adaptive navigation under composite-driven powers, and intriguing collective behaviors. The impact of oxide structure, multiple fields in motion controllability, and interaction between grouped micro/nanomotors are explored. Practical applications of individual and assembled micro/nanomotors in environmental and biomedical fields are demonstrated, including the removal of pollutants, drug delivery, cancer therapy, and in vivo imaging. Finally, current challenges for the development of novel micro/nanomotors and possible constraints toward the defined structure and accumulated toxicity are discussed along with future opportunities and directions. Owing to their facile synthesis, impressive physicochemical performances, high biocompatibility, and versatile actuations, it is expected that the association of inorganic oxides with micro/nanomotors will bring new and unique capabilities to the field of active matter.