Visible-Light-Driven Asymmetric TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Micromotor Hybridized with a Conjugated Polyelectrolyte and Glucose Oxidase

We fabricated a TiO2-based micromotor that was asymmetrically decorated with a water-soluble conjugated polymer (WSP) on one hemisphere and glucose oxidase (GO(x)) on the opposite hemisphere. The WSP, which had photocatalytic activity for H2O2 decomposition, enabled motion of the micromotor under visible light. The GO(x) on the other hemisphere of the micromotor decomposed glucose to produce H2O2 and enabled motion of the micromotor without light irradiation. In addition, WSP and GO(x) were attached to TiO2 by chemical bonds, providing stability during use. As a result, the micromotor could move by self-generating H2O2 for its own fuel by consuming glucose even without photoirradiation. The micromotor could move faster than without visible light irradiation through the synergistic decomposition of glucose and H2O2 under visible light by the diffusiophoretic mechanism with a speed of 7.49 mu m/s.