Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of chemically-powered synthetic nanomotors

TL;DR

This paper explores the thermodynamic and statistical mechanics principles underlying chemically-powered synthetic nanomotors, revealing how surface reactions drive motion and how motion can influence chemical reactions.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework connecting nonequilibrium thermodynamics with nanomotor propulsion, highlighting the role of microreversibility in coupling motion and chemical reactions.

Findings

Propulsion by fuel consumption can induce fuel synthesis.

Interfacial properties are described by nonequilibrium thermodynamics.

Microreversibility plays a fundamental role in motion-reaction coupling.

Abstract

Colloidal motors without moving parts can be propelled by self-diffusiophoresis, coupling molecular concentration gradients generated by surface chemical reactions to the velocity slip between solid Janus particles and the surrounding fluid solution. The interfacial properties involved in this propulsion mechanism can be described by nonequilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, disclosing the fundamental role of microreversibility in the coupling between motion and reaction. Among other phenomena, the approach predicts that propulsion by fuel consumption has the reciprocal effect of fuel synthesis by mechanical action.