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Light-powered autonomous and directional molecular motion of a dissipative self-assembling system

Nature Nanotechnology volume 10, pages 70–75 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Biomolecular motors convert energy into directed motion and operate away from thermal equilibrium. The development of dynamic chemical systems that exploit dissipative (non-equilibrium) processes is a challenge in supramolecular chemistry and a premise for the realization of artificial nanoscale motors. Here, we report the relative unidirectional transit of a non-symmetric molecular axle through a macrocycle powered solely by light. The molecular machine rectifies Brownian fluctuations by energy and information ratchet mechanisms and can repeat its working cycle under photostationary conditions. The system epitomizes the conceptual and practical elements forming the basis of autonomous light-powered directed motion with a minimalist molecular design.

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Figure 1: Design and operation of the system.
Figure 2: Kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of the self-assembly process.
Figure 3: Square cycle of chemical and photochemical reactions representing operation of the system.
Figure 4: Observation of photostationary cycling of the system away from equilibrium.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (PRIN 2010CX2TLM) and the University of Bologna (FARB SLaMM project). The authors thank F. Zerbetto and D. Astumian for discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica “G. Ciamician”, Photochemical Nanosciences Laboratory, Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy

    Giulio Ragazzon, Massimo Baroncini, Serena Silvi, Margherita Venturi & Alberto Credi

Authors
  1. Giulio Ragazzon
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  2. Massimo Baroncini
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  3. Serena Silvi
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  4. Margherita Venturi
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  5. Alberto Credi
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Contributions

M.B. synthesized the compounds. G.R., S.S. and M.B. performed the physico-chemical experiments. G.R. carried out numerical simulations. A.C. conceived the project and wrote the paper. M.V. discussed the results and commented on the manuscript, together with all authors.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alberto Credi.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Ragazzon, G., Baroncini, M., Silvi, S. et al. Light-powered autonomous and directional molecular motion of a dissipative self-assembling system. Nature Nanotech 10, 70–75 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2014.260

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