Autonomous movement using a molecular/silica hybrid approach
PhD ceremony: Mr. R. Roswanda, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Proefschrift: Autonomous movement using a molecular/silica hybrid approach
Promotor(s): prof. B.L. Feringa
Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences
One of the most fascinating challenges in nanotechnology is powering and controlling motors. The aim of the research described in this thesis is trying to answer that challenge by creating autonomously moving micro/nano objects that are powered by molecular catalytic propulsion.
The molecular catalytic propulsion is fueled by hydrogen peroxide which is decomposed into water and oxygen by a dinuclear manganese catalyst which is attached the particles. The particles of choice are silica and zeolite L.
The study reveals the size limits at which the force generated by catalytic propulsion will result in autonomous movement before the Brownian motion is overwhelming the system. It is shown that at the submicron size range, the molecular catalytic system attached to silica A (231 ± 35 nm) showed, unexpectedly, a slower diffusion not faster in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
Further studies are needed to understand the effect of the catalytic reaction of hydrogen peroxide decomposition by the manganese complex on the particle’s movement in this size range.
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.00 a.m. |
More news
-
17 June 2025
ERC Advanced grants for three UG researchers
The European Research Council has awarded ERC Advanced grants to Prof. Inga Kamp, Prof. Wouter Roos and Prof. Syuzanna Harutyunyan.
-
13 June 2025
Team 'Lord of the Roads' second at RDW Self Driving Challenge
The University of the North team 'Lord of the Roads', in which students from educational institutions Noorderpoort, Hanzehogeschool and the University of Groningen collaborated, came second in the RDW Self Driving Challenge (SDC). The team competed...
-
12 June 2025
Those most affected by modern agriculture
Farmers only grow a limited number of crops these days, which has significant consequences for the animals that live there. Raymond Klaassen researches what adjustments farmers could make to improve the conditions for the species most affected by...