Jianhong Wang1,Hanglong Wu1,Jingxin Shao1,Jan Van Hest1
Eindhoven University of Technology1
Jianhong Wang1,Hanglong Wu1,Jingxin Shao1,Jan Van Hest1
Eindhoven University of Technology1
Synthetic micro/nanomotors have been extensively exploited to achieve active transportation over the past decade. This interest is a result of their broad range of potential applications, from environmental remediation to nanomedicine. Nevertheless, it still remains a challenge to build a fast-moving biodegradable polymeric nanomotor. Here we present a light-propelled nanomotor by introducing gold nanoparticles (Au NP) onto biodegradable bowl-shaped polymersomes (stomatocytes) via electrostatic interactions. These biodegradable nanomotors show controllable motion and a very high velocity of up to 125 μm s<sup>-1</sup>. This unique behavior was explained via a thorough three-dimensional characterization of the nanomotor, particularly the size and the spatial distribution of Au NP, with cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography. Our in-depth quantitative 3D analysis revealed that the motile features of these nanomotors were caused by the nonuniform distribution of Au NPs along the axial direction of the polymersome. This study could offers a new perspective for designing robust biodegradable soft nanomotors, thereby facilitating their applications in a bio-friendly manner.