Magnetically boosted 1D photoactive microswarm for COVID-19 face mask disruption

Jeonghyo Kim, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez and Martin Pumera ()
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Jeonghyo Kim: University of Chemistry and Technology Prague
Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez: University of Chemistry and Technology Prague
Martin Pumera: University of Chemistry and Technology Prague

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the massive discard of pandemic-related plastic wastes, causing serious ecological harm and a high societal burden. Most single-use face masks are made of synthetic plastics, thus their careless disposal poses a direct threat to wildlife as well as potential ecotoxicological effects in the form of microplastics. Here, we introduce a 1D magnetic photoactive microswarm capable of actively navigating, adhering to, and accelerating the degradation of the polypropylene microfiber of COVID-19 face masks. 1D microrobots comprise an anisotropic magnetic core (Fe3O4) and photocatalytic shell (Bi2O3/Ag), which enable wireless magnetic maneuvering and visible-light photocatalysis. The actuation of a programmed rotating magnetic field triggers a fish schooling-like 1D microswarm that allows active interfacial interactions with the microfiber network. The follow-up light illumination accelerates the disruption of the polypropylene microfiber through the photo-oxidative process as corroborated by morphological, compositional, and structural analyses. The active magnetic photocatalyst microswarm suggests an intriguing microrobotic solution to treat various plastic wastes and other environmental pollutants.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36650-6

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