Exploring MOF-based Micromotors as SERS Sensors

Active matter, such as Janus micromotors have been used for applications such as self-assembly, pollution mitigation, and drug delivery. Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based Janus micromotors have been recently explored as a method to increase the rate of decontamination for chemical warfare agents in solution due to favorable MOF-chemical interactions. To achieve active-matter decontamination, SiO2@UiO66@Ag MOF-based Janus micromotors were synthesized. In addition to decontamination, the MOF-based micromotors have favorable surface topography for maintaining a localized surface plasmon. This work explores the plasmonic capabilities of Ag@MOF Janus micromotors by systematically changing the amount of Ag, the size of the microparticle that is being used for the plasmonic sensing, and the underlying MOF structure. By changing these parameters, MOF-based micromotors may be able to be used as sensors by utilizing techniques such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).