Nanobattery and nanomotor together (jacs article will cool videos)

Autonomous Nanomotor Based on Copper–Platinum Segmented Nanobattery

Ran Liu and Ayusman Sen*

Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States

J. Am. Chem. Soc., Article ASAP

DOI: 10.1021/ja2082735

Publication Date (Web): September 30, 2011

We describe an efficient, bubble-free nanoscale motor consisting of a copper–platinum (Cu–Pt) segmented rod that operates as a nanobattery in dilute aqueous Br₂ or I₂ solutions. The motion of the rod is powered by self-electrophoresis caused by redox reactions occurring on the two different metal segments. Asymmetric ratchet-shaped pure copper nanorods were also found to rotate and tumble in aqueous Br₂ solution because of the ion gradient arising from asymmetric dissolution of copper.