Self-organized multiconstituent catalytic nanomotors

Self-organized catalytic nanomotors consisting of more than one individual component are presented. Tadpole-like catalytic nanomotors fabricated by dynamic shadowing growth (DSG) self-organize randomly to form two-nanomotor clusters (≈1-3% yield) that spin as opposed to circular motion exhibited by the individual structures. By introducing magnetic materials to another system, self-assembled "helicopter" nanomotors consisting of a V-shaped nanomotor and a microbead are formed with ≈25% yield, showing a significantly higher yield than the control (0%). A flexible swimmer system that performs complex swimming, such as maneuvering around stationary objects, is also presented. These nanomotor systems are inherently more complex than those previously studied and may be the next step towards building sophisticated multifunctional nanomachinery systems.