Highlights
Enhanced active matter photocatalysis via Gold Nanoclusters
October 17, 2025

Research Summary

  • For the first time, atomically precise gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are used as motility catalysts for active matter microswimmers.

  • We leverage nanoscale precision and controlled optical activity of AuNCs, achieving a nearly fivefold increase in MSD under UV light compared to prototypical TiO, microswimmers alone.

  • This study establishes a route to create microswimmers with new functionalities, leveraging the breadth of NC attributes.

a) Schematic of AuNC-TiO, Microswimmers and photocatalytic activity resulting in directional motility; b) TEM/EDS of AuNC-TiO, microswimmers indicating janus-like adherence of AuNC to TiO2 microswimmers; c) 4.5 fold enhancement of AuNC-TiO, catalytic activity; Motility of d) AuNC-TiO, and e) TiO, alone showing increased motility as a function of AuNC.
a) Schematic of AuNC-TiO, Microswimmers and photocatalytic activity resulting in directional motility; b) TEM/EDS of AuNC-TiO, microswimmers indicating janus-like adherence of AuNC to TiO2 microswimmers; c) 4.5 fold enhancement of AuNC-TiO, catalytic activity; Motility of d) AuNC-TiO, and e) TiO, alone showing increased motility as a function of AuNC.
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Atomically Precise Nanoclusters as Co‐Catalysts for Light‐Activated Microswimmer Motility

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Materials Interfaces Research and Access (MIRA-PREM)

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