Asymmetry controlled dynamic behavior of autonomous chemiluminescent Janus microswimmers.

Asymmetrically modified Janus microparticles are presented as autonomous light emitting swimmers. The localized dissolution of hybrid magnesium/polymer objects allows combining chemiluminescence with the spontaneous production of H bubbles, and thus generating directed motion. These light-emitting microswimmers are synthesized by using a straightforward methodology based on bipolar electromilling, followed by indirect bipolar electrodeposition of an electrophoretic paint. An optimization of the experimental parameters enables in the first step the formation of well-defined isotropic or anisotropic Mg microparticles. Subsequently, they are asymmetrically modified by wireless deposition of an anodic paint. The degree of asymmetry of the resulting Janus particles can be fine-tuned, leading to a controlled directional motion due to anisotropic gas formation. This autonomous motion is coupled with the emission of bright orange light when Ru(bpy) and SO are present in the solution as chemiluminescent reagents. The light emission is based on an original process of interfacial redox-induced chemiluminescence, thus allowing an easy visualization of the swimmer trajectories.