Bubble‐Enabled Underwater Motion of a Light‐Driven Motor

• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201804959
• Publication Date: 2019-02-21T11:57:32Z
• Authors: Tian Luan; Fanchen Meng; Peng Tao; Wen Shang; Jianbo Wu; Chengyi Song; Tao Deng
• Keywords: Polydimethylsiloxane; Motor oil; Photothermal effect

Abstract This work reports the photothermally driven horizontal motion of a motor as well suspending and vertical movements underwater. A is designed by attaching two polydimethylsiloxane‐coated oxidized copper foams (POCF) to opposite sides an foam (OCF). When hydrophobic POCF immersed in water, it serves both air bubble trapper light‐to‐heat conversion center. As bubbles grow under photothermal heating, they provide lifting force result revolving motor. With removal light illumination, are cooled surrounding water shrink, buoyance lowered. The resultant gravitational force, buoyance, fluid resistance drives move forward horizontally. Furthermore, motors utilized oil collectors oil/water separation achieved successfully. To effectively control motion, polydimethylsiloxane doped with carbon black (C‐foam) principle. It maintained at certain position underwater controlling on/off light. also studied generate electricity. expected that different types will open up new opportunities for various applications including drug delivery, collection heavy underwater, electricity generation.