Large scale synthesis of self-assembled shuttlecock-shaped silica nanoparticles with minimized drag as advanced catalytic nanomotors

The catalytic performance of nanomotors is highly dependent on their interaction with substrates, for which the motion dynamics of the nanomotors needs to be carefully manipulated via materials design. Herein, we report a facile one-step self-assembly strategy for hundred-gram scale synthesis of shuttlecock-shaped silica nanoparticles as advanced catalytic nanomotors. These asymmetric nanoparticles have a streamline conical morphology with ultra-large opening in one side. The shuttlecock-mimetic morphology endows the nanoparticles with minimized drag force during fluid motion and consequently high diffusibility, while the large open cavity ensures efficient encapsulation of lipase (a model enzyme) to provide propulsive force. These unique features collectively result in superior diffusibility, leading to significantly improved catalytic performance compared with conventional large pore mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a spherical morphology. This research provides a new conceptual design and synthetic strategy to develop high-performance nanomotors.