# Nanoengineered Photoactive Micromotors for Targeted Pollutant Capture, Degradation, and SERS-Based Detection

## TL;DR

Scientists created tiny micromotors that can capture, break down, and detect pollutants in water using light and advanced sensing.

## Contribution

The development of a multifunctional micromotor system combining pollutant capture, degradation, and real-time SERS-based detection.

## Key findings

- Gold-nanostar-decorated micromotors enable real-time pollutant tracking via SERS.
- Micromotors show autonomous propulsion under visible light and selective pollutant degradation.
- Molecular imprinting enhances both photocatalytic and sensing performance.

## Abstract

Achieving both selective pollutant degradation and real-time detection within a single micromotor system remains challenging for environmental monitoring. To address this limitation, we engineered gold-nanostar-decorated, molecularly imprinted BiVO4 micromotors that combine simultaneous capture, photocatalytic degradation, and in situ detection of pollutants via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Plasmonic gold nanostars provide strong SERS enhancement for real-time tracking of pollutant degradation, while micromotors maintain autonomous propulsion under visible light irradiation. Surface molecular imprinting ensures selective recognition of rhodamine 6G and synergistically improves both photocatalytic and sensing performance. This multifunctional design establishes an all-in-one micromotor platform that bridges environmental remediation and on-board monitoring, opening opportunities for advanced water treatment technologies.