Magnetically-actuated hydrogel-based achiral planar microswimmers for SERS detection: In situ coprecipitation for continuous loading of iron oxide nanoparticles

Xiong, Junfeng1,2; Zhang, Junkai2; Zhong, Yukun2; Song, Xiaoxia2; Wang, Haoying2; Cheang, U. Kei2,3,4

2023-03-07

10.3389/fbioe.2023.1086106

FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY   Impact Factor & Quartile

2296-4185

Ultraviolet lithography is a very promising technology used for the batch fabrication of biomedical microswimmers. However, creating microswimmers that can swim at low Reynolds number using biocompatible materials while retaining strong magnetic properties and excellent biomedical functionality is a great challenge. Most of the previously reported biomedical microswimmers possess either strong magnetic properties by using non-biocompatible nickel coating or good biocompatibility by using iron oxide particle-embedded hydrogel with weak magnetism, but not both. Alternatively, iron oxide nanoparticles can be coated on the surface of microswimmers to improve magnetic properties; however, this method limited the usability of the microswimmers' surfaces. To address these shortcomings, this work utilized an in situ synthesis technique to generate high magnetic content inside hydrogel-based achiral planar microswimmers while leaving their surfaces free to be functionalized for SERS detection. The hydrogel matrices of the magnetically actuated hydrogel-based microswimmers were first prepared by ultraviolet lithography. Then, the high concentration of iron oxide was achieved through multiple continuous in situ coprecipitation cycles. Finally, the SERS detection capability of magnetically actuated hydrogel-based microswimmers was enabled by uniformly growing silver nanoparticles on the surface of the microswimmers. In the motion control tests, the microswimmers showed a high swimming efficiency, high step-out frequency, and consistent synchronized motion. Furthermore, the magnetically actuated hydrogel-based microswimmers were able to improve the detection efficiency of analytes under magnetic guidance.

SERS detection in situ coprecipitation ultraviolet lithography achiral planar microswimmers magnetic control

SCI

English

Corresponding

Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation["2023A1515012229","2021A1515110212"] ; Department of Education of Guangdong[2021ZDZX2037] ; Science and Technology Innovation Committee Foundation of Shenzhen["20200925155648005","RCYX20210609103644015","ZDSYS20200811143601004"] ; Shenzhen municipal government (Peacock Plan)[20181119590C]

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology ; Science & Technology - Other Topics

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology ; Multidisciplinary Sciences

WOS:000956456600001

FRONTIERS MEDIA SA

Web of Science

1.Harbin Inst Technol, Sch Mechatron Engn, Harbin, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Energy Engn, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Shenzhen Key Lab Biomimet Robot & Intelligent Syst, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
4.Rehabil Robot Univ, Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Human Augmentat, Shenzhen, Peoples R China

Xiong, Junfeng,Zhang, Junkai,Zhong, Yukun,et al. Magnetically-actuated hydrogel-based achiral planar microswimmers for SERS detection: In situ coprecipitation for continuous loading of iron oxide nanoparticles[J]. FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY,2023,11.

Xiong, Junfeng,Zhang, Junkai,Zhong, Yukun,Song, Xiaoxia,Wang, Haoying,&Cheang, U. Kei.(2023).Magnetically-actuated hydrogel-based achiral planar microswimmers for SERS detection: In situ coprecipitation for continuous loading of iron oxide nanoparticles.FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY,11.

Xiong, Junfeng,et al."Magnetically-actuated hydrogel-based achiral planar microswimmers for SERS detection: In situ coprecipitation for continuous loading of iron oxide nanoparticles".FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 11(2023).