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Catalytic microrotor driven by geometrical asymmetry.
- Source :
-
The Journal of chemical physics [J Chem Phys] 2015 Feb 07; Vol. 142 (5), pp. 054902. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- An asymmetric gear with homogeneous surface properties is, here, presented as a prototype to fabricate catalytic microrotors. The driving torque arises from the diffusiophoretic effect induced by the concentration gradients generated by catalytic chemical reactions at the gear surface. This torque produces a spontaneous and unidirectional rotation of the asymmetric gear. By means of mesoscopic simulations, we prove and characterize this scenario. The gear rotational velocity is determined by the gear-solvent interactions, the gear geometry, the solvent viscosity, and the catalytic reaction ratio. Our work presents a simple way to design self-propelled microrotors, alternative to existing catalytic bi-component, or thermophoretic ones.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1089-7690
- Volume :
- 142
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of chemical physics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25662663
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4906823