The article published in ChemNanoMat is based on a collaboration between researchers from the Smart NaNo-Bio Devices group at IBEC (Institute of Bioengineering of Catalunya): Rafael Mestre, Núria Cadefau, Ana C. Horteläo, and Samuel Sánchez; and researchers from the Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites (NN) group at ICMAB: Jan Grzelak, Martí Gich, and Anna Roig.
The cover represents the "race" of rod-shaped nanomotors featured in the article. In the paper, mesoporous silica nanorods (MSNRs) are presented as interesting new chassis for the development of catalytic nanomotors due to their longitudinal pores, their rod‐like structure and versatile material.
Three types of MSNR nanomotors, based on Pt catalysis, Fenton‐like reactions of embedded Fe2O3 nanoparticles inside the mesopores, and their synergistic combination, are demonstrated to self‐propel upon addition of hydrogen peroxide. Two sub‐populations of motors moving by either enhanced diffusion or ballistic propulsion are shown to coexist in this system. The motion of three different types of nanomotors is compared, hence the competition between them that can be seen on the journal cover.
Jan Grzelak, author of the cover explains "Making the cover illustration for a journal was a new and exciting experience. When I learned about the possibility of making a cover, I did not know if I was able to do it but I was sure that I wanted to give it a try. While preparing the cover, I learned a lot about using Blender software, which is a very powerful (and free!) tool for making 3D graphics. I think that this knowledge will also be useful for my future papers and presentations".
Find the article and cover below:
Nanorods Based on Mesoporous Silica Containing Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Catalytic Nanomotors: Study of Motion Dynamics
Rafael Mestre, Núria Cadefau, Ana C. Hortelão, Jan Grzelak, Martí Gich, Anna Roig, and Samuel Sánchez
ChemNanoMat 2020, 6, 1–8
DOI: 10.1002/cnma.202000557
Link to the Cover page
