Carbon nitride-based light-driven microswimmers with intrinsic photocharging ability
Varun Sridhar, Filip Podjaski, Julia Kröger, Alberto Jiménez‐Solano, Byung‐Wook Park, Bettina V. Lotsch, Metin Sitti
Abstract
-based systems, rather than the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is generally invoked as the source of propulsion under ambient conditions with alcohols as fuels. Making use of the intrinsic solar energy storage ability of PHI, we establish the concept of photocapacitive Janus microswimmers that can be charged by solar energy, thus enabling persistent light-induced propulsion even in the absence of illumination-a process we call "solar battery swimming"-lasting half an hour and possibly beyond. We anticipate that this propulsion scheme significantly extends the capabilities in targeted cargo/drug delivery, environmental remediation, and other potential applications of micro/nanomachines, where the use of versatile earth-abundant materials is a key prerequisite.