Photo-driven Molecular Wankel Engine B$_{13}^+$

TL;DR

This paper introduces a molecular Wankel engine based on B13+ that achieves unidirectional rotation driven by circularly polarized infrared radiation, demonstrating a rotational frequency around 300 MHz.

Contribution

The study presents the first experimental realization of a circularly-polarized IR-driven molecular Wankel motor with controlled unidirectional rotation.

Findings

Achieved guided unidirectional rotation of B13+ outer ring

Rotational frequency of approximately 300 MHz

Demonstrated feasibility of IR-driven molecular motors

Abstract

We report a molecular Wankel motor, the dual-ring structure B13+, driven by circularly-polarized infrared electromagnetic radiation, under which a guided uni-directional rotation of the outer ring is achieved with rotational frequency of the order of 300 MHz.