Confined tri-functional FeOx@MnO2@SiO2 flask micromotors for long-lasting motion and catalytic reactions

Authors

Yangyang Yang
Lei Shi
Jingkai Lin
Panpan Zhang
Kunsheng Hu
Shuang Meng
Peng Zhou
Xiaoguang Duan
Hongqi Sun, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Shaobin Wang

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Small

Publisher

Wiley

School

School of Science

RAS ID

56479

Funders

Australian Research Council

Grant Number

ARC Number : DP190103548

Grant Link

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP190103548

Comments

Yang, Y., Shi, L., Lin, J., Zhang, P., Hu, K., Meng, S., . . . Wang, S. (2023). Confined tri-functional FeOx@MnO2@SiO2 flask micromotors for long-lasting motion and catalytic reactions. Small, 19(23), article 2207666.

https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202207666

Abstract

H2O₂-fueled micromotors are state-of-the-art mobile microreactors in environmental remediation. In this work, a magnetic FeO_x@MnO₂@SiO₂ micromotor with multi-functions is designed and demonstrated its catalytic performance in H₂O₂/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for simultaneously sustained motion and organic degradation. Moreover, this work reveals the correlations between catalytic efficiency and motion behavior/mechanism. The inner magnetic FeO_x nanoellipsoids primarily trigger radical species (OH and O₂−) to attack organics via Fenton-like reactions. The coated MnO₂ layers on FeO_x surface are responsible for decomposing H₂O₂ into O₂ bubbles to provide a propelling torque in the solution and generating SO₄− and OH for organic degradation. The outer SiO₂ microcapsules with a hollow head and tail result in an asymmetrical Janus structure for the motion, driven by O₂ bubbles ejecting from the inner cavity via the opening tail. Intriguingly, PMS adjusts the local environment to control over-violent O₂ formation from H₂O₂ decomposition by occupying the Mn sites via inter-sphere interactions and enhances organic removal due to the strengthened contacts and Fenton-like reactions between inner FeO_x and peroxides within the microreactor. The findings will advance the design of functional micromotors and the knowledge of micromotor-based remediation with controlled motion and high-efficiency oxidation using multiple peroxides.

DOI

10.1002/smll.202207666

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.