New study sheds light on molecular motion

Date:
October 11, 2021
Source:
University of Nottingham
Summary:
New research has shown how a synthetic self-made fibers can guide
molecular movement that can be fueled by light over long distances,
a discovery that could pave the way for new ways to use light as
a source of sustainable energy.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
New research has shown how a synthetic self-made fibres can guide
molecular movement that can be fuelled by light over long distances, a discovery that could pave the way for new ways to use light as a source
of sustainable energy.


========================================================================== Researchers from the University of Nottingham have for the first time
used a path of assembled molecules liquids that travelling molecules can
be propelled along by light. The research 'Light-controlled micron-scale molecular motion' has been published today in Nature Chemistry.

Professor David Amabilino from the School of Chemistry at the University
of Nottingham is one of the lead researchers, he explains: "In living organisms, molecular motors travel along specific molecular paths, it
is an essential part of cell function. We have shown that a synthetic
self-made molecular fibre in a liquid behaves like a path for the movement
of a molecular traveller over a distance 10,000 times its length. Light
acts as the fuel to encourage the motion, while a molecular switch mixed
into the system apparently propels the traveller on its way.

The system emulates, for the first time, movement of the kind taking
place along fibres in cells. This is a very exciting discovery as If we
can find ways to make use of the light's potential in this process then
it could pave the way for use in light activated medicines, new ways to
harness light energy as a source of power and to create new sustainable
ways to carry out chemical tasks." The team used interactions between oppositely charged chemical groups and created motion to this static
system by introducing a switching molecule, that flaps back and forth
quite quickly, into the fibres. Shining a light onto this weakens the
traveller molecules interaction with the path as they move along it,
which can be at some distance. If the molecule were our size, they would
move the equivalent of 10 km.

Heat is released when the switching molecules are irradiated, and that
heat has a local effect that helps the traveller move, so the mechanical movement of the switch, and the heat that is released when it does,
are important for making the system work.

The technique the team used to observe these effects is a special optical microscope that allowed the simultaneous exciting of the molecules --
making them move -- and observation of them as they give light back out
(the travelling molecules are fluorescent).

Co-author on the study Mario Samperi adds: "The system we have prepared
is very sensitive to the solvent in which the fibres are formed. In a
liquid about the strength of strong whisky, the travelling molecules
move along the fibres to another location, whereas when the liquid is
the strength of weaker limoncello, rings of rearranged fibres are formed
where the travellers have moved along and incorporated into the newly
formed circular track.

We want to be able to transport other molecules from one place to another
in a controlled way, so that the travelling molecules can carry a package
from one place to another, emulating nature, but using light as energy." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Nottingham. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Mario Samperi, Bilel Bdiri, Charlotte D. Sleet, Robert Markus,
Ajith R.

Mallia, Llui"sa Pe'rez-Garci'a, David B. Amabilino. Light-controlled
micron-scale molecular motion. Nature Chemistry, 2021; DOI:
10.1038/ s41557-021-00791-2 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211011110832.htm

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