Catalytic Self-Propulsion of Supramolecular Capsules Powered by Polyoxometalate Cargos

Multicompartment, spherical microcontainers were engineered through a layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte deposition around a fluorescent core while integrating a ruthenium polyoxometalate (Ru4POM), as molecular motor, vis-a-vis its oxygenic, propeller effect, fuelled upon H2O2 decomposition. The resulting chemomechanical system, with average speeds of up to 25 mu ms(-1), is amenable for integration into a microfluidic set-up for mixing and displacement of liquids, whereby the propulsion force and the resulting velocity regime can be modulated upon H2O2-controlled addition.