Direct realization of an Operando Systems Chemistry Algorithm (OSCAL) for powering nanomotors

Abstract

Systems chemistry focuses on emergent properties in a complex matter. To design and demonstrate such emergent properties like autonomous motion in nanomotors as an output of an Operando Systems Chemistry Algorithm (OSCAL), we employ a 2-component system comprising porous organic frameworks (POFs) and soft-oxometalates (SOMs). The OSCAL governs the motion of the nanocarpets by the coding and reading of information in an assembly/disassembly cascade switched on by a chemical stimulus. Assembly algorithm docks SOMs into the pores of the POFs of the nanocarpet leading to the encoding of supramolecular structural information in the SOM–POF hybrid nanocarpet. Input of a chemical fuel to the system induces a catalytic reaction producing propellant gases and switches on the disassembly of SOMs that are concomitantly released from the pores of the SOM–POF nanocarpets producing a ballast in the system as a read-out of the coded information acquired in the supramolecular assembly. The OSCAL governs the motion of the nanocarpets in steps. The assembly/disassembly of SOM–POFs, releasing SOMs from the pores of SOM–POFs induced by a catalytic reaction triggered by a chemical stimulus coupled with the evolution of gas are the input. The output is the autonomous linear motion of the SOM–POF nanocarpets resulting from the read-out of the input information. This work thus manifests the operation of a designed Systems Chemistry algorithm which sets supramolecularly assembled SOM–POF nanocarpets into autonomous ballistic motion.