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Succulent-like light-driven micromotor for dynamic fluorescence detection and photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

多肉状微马达用于动态检测和降解四环素

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Abstract

Tetracycline (TC), a widely used antibiotic, poses environmental persistence and contributes substantially to the formation of drug-resistant bacteria, warranting urgent actions for effective detection and degradation. Recent progress in micro/nanomotor technology has opened a compelling avenue, enabling active maneuverability in aqueous environments while improving interaction efficacy and functionality. In this study, a succulent-like ZnO/metal-organic framework (MOF)/Fe3O4 hybrid micromotor designed for dynamic fluorescence detection and efficient photocatalytic degradation of TC is proposed. By leveraging micro- and nano-fabrication approaches and the seeded growth method, the fabrication of ZnO micromotors with succulent-like structures is realized. Notably, chemical modifications are employed to manipulate the surface potential and precisely control the motion direction of the micromotor. Further incorporation of fluorescent MOF nanoparticles renders the micromotors capable of dynamic TC detection. Furthermore, under ultraviolet irradiation, the micromotors exhibit dynamic TC degradation and can be conveniently recovered and reused by magnetic separation. The rational design of functional micromotors may offer promising platforms for various applications such as dynamic detection and environmental remediation.

摘要

四环素是一种广泛使用的抗生素, 但它在环境中难以降解, 而且 会促使耐药细菌的出现. 因此, 迫切需要采取有效的措施对其进行检测 和分解. 在此背景下, 我们设计了一种多肉状的ZnO/MOF/Fe3O4混合微 型马达, 用于动态检测和光催化降解四环素. 我们使用微纳米加工和种 子生长方法成功制备了具有多肉植物状结构的ZnO微型马达. 在氧化 锌马达阵列上, 通过表面修饰, 比如改变其表面电位、负载响应性检测 功能MOF、磁性纳米颗粒和催化剂, 最终得到了可用于动态荧光检测 和高效降解的自驱动可控微马达. 这种功能性微马达在环境检测和治 理等方面具有很好发展前景.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22275073, 22005119, 21731002, 21975104 and 22150004), Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Research (2019B030302009), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2020A1515110404), Guangzhou Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (202102020444), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (21622409).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China

    Li Fang  (方利), Xinyi Liu  (刘心怡), Yuxin Gao  (高宇昕), Yiyi Lin  (林奕宜), Kun Wu  (吴坤), Jizhuang Wang  (王吉壮), Weigang Lu  (陆伟刚) & Dan Li  (李丹)

  2. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China

    Li Fang  (方利), Xinyi Liu  (刘心怡), Yuxin Gao  (高宇昕), Yiyi Lin  (林奕宜), Kun Wu  (吴坤), Jizhuang Wang  (王吉壮), Weigang Lu  (陆伟刚) & Dan Li  (李丹)

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  1. Li Fang  (方利)
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  2. Xinyi Liu  (刘心怡)
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  3. Yuxin Gao  (高宇昕)
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  5. Kun Wu  (吴坤)
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  6. Jizhuang Wang  (王吉壮)
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  7. Weigang Lu  (陆伟刚)
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  8. Dan Li  (李丹)
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Contributions

Author contributions Fang L and Wang J conceived the idea. Wang J and Fang L designed the experiment. Fang L, Liu X, Gao Y, Lin Y and Wu K synthesized the materials and performed the sample characterization. Wang J, Gao Y and Fang L performed the simulation. Wang J, Fang L, Lin Y, Gao Y, Liu X, Lu W and Li D analyzed the data. Fang L, Wang J, Lu W and Li D wrote the manuscript with input from all the authors.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jizhuang Wang  (王吉壮) or Dan Li  (李丹).

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Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Supplementary information Experimental details and supporting data are available in the online version of the paper.

Li Fang is pursuing her Master’s degree at the College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University. She is working under the supervision of associate professor Jizhuang Wang. Her research is focused on the design, mechanisms, and applications of micro/nanomotors.

Jizhuang Wang is currently an associate professor at the College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University. He received his PhD degree at the Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong under the supervision of Prof. Jinyao Tang in 2018. His current research interests are focused on the design, mechanism study and related applications of micro/nanomotors.

Dan Li received his BSc from Sun Yat-Sen University in 1984 and then worked at Shantou University. He pursued his PhD at The University of Hong Kong with Professor Chi-Ming Che during 1988–1993. Then he returned to Shantou University and became a professor in 2001. He moved to Jinan University in Guangzhou in 2016. His research interest is the design and fabrication of supra-molecular coordination assemblies and their functions, including photoluminescence, porosity and chirality.

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Succulent-like light-driven micromotor for dynamic fluorescence detection and photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

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Fang, L., Liu, X., Gao, Y. et al. Succulent-like light-driven micromotor for dynamic fluorescence detection and photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline. Sci. China Mater. 67, 179–187 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-023-2681-7

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