Self-Propelled Micro-/Nanomotors as "On-the-Move" Platforms: Cleaners, Sensors, and Reactors

Artificial micro-/nanomotors (MNMs) are tiny apparatuses that can autonomously navigate and perform specific tasks at micro-/nanoscale. The continuous movement characteristics of MNMs and related motion-induced micromixing effect enable these devices to act as "on-the-move" cleaners, sensors, and reactors to facilitate corresponding chemical/physical processes. With reasonable design and specific surface functionalization, MNMs show great promise in environmental, sensing, and chemical applications. This review conveys the current propulsion strategies of MNMs, with specific focus on their capabilities of accelerating chemical/physical processes. Representative applications of MNMs in environmental remediation, detection, and chemical conversion are discussed, emphasizing and highlighting the role of these moving MNMs in chemical aspects. Finally, the main challenges and existing limitations to translating the potential of MNMs into real-world applications are discussed, along with the future opportunities of this field.