Micromotors powered by hydrogen peroxide could soon give warfighters a quicker and more effective way of getting rid of pollutants and contaminants.
Work managed by DTRA CB/JSTO’s Dr. Brian Pate and revealed by a team of researchers, including Dr. Joseph Wang from the University of California, San Diego, found that self-propelled, dual-function biocatalytic motors, consisting of unmodified natural tissue and capable of in-motion bioremediation of phenol, provided for a new “on-the-fly” remediation process.
This cost-effective measure eliminates the need for expensive isolated enzymes and relies on environmental-friendly plant tissues.
These micromotors have a wide spectrum of potential applications in the remediation of industrial aromatic pollutants that might result from chemical manufacturing or from chemical agents and munition components such as detonation cord and fuses.
Dual-function plant (radish-based) biomotors, with the catalase-driven propulsion and peroxidase-based decontamination capability. Hydrogen peroxide fueled biocatalytic tissue motors move continuously through the contaminated sample to dynamically remove phenolic pollutants. (Courtesy Dr. Joseph Wang, University of California, San Diego/Released)
In the RCS Advances article, “Dual-enzyme natural motors incorporating decontamination and propulsion capabilities,” the researchers explain how these enzyme-rich tissue motors rely on the catalase and peroxidase activities of their Raphanus sativus radish body for their propulsion and remediation actions, respectively.
The continuous movement of the biocatalytic tissue motors through the contaminated sample facilitates the dynamic removal of phenolic pollutants, including explosive or energetic materials such as 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP), also known as picric acid, and diazodinitrophenol (DDNP), which is found in some detonators, as a component in ecrasite.
Hydrogen peroxide plays a dual role in the propulsion and decontamination processes, as the motor fuel and as co-substrate for the phenol transformation, respectively.
Localized fluid transport and mixing, associated with the movement of the radish motors and corresponding generation of microbubbles, greatly improve the remediation efficiency resulting in maximal removal of pollutants within three minutes.
The research team continues to focus efforts on advancing the fundamental understanding of interactions between functionalized nanomotors to develop new motor capabilities and functionalities that will enhance the separation power offered by these self-propelled artificial microtransporters.
The recent discovery, which has now been validated through external peer review and published, is an important contribution toward the program milestone focused on development of multifunctional (separate/ remediate) nanomotors.
Future applications for this work could include demilitarization and contaminated environment site remediation, such as former explosive weapons stockpiles.
Story and information provided by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency
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