Electrocatalytic reaction driven flow

Bimetallic Pt-Au nanorods in form of microswimmers within an aqueous solution exhibit self-propulsion that is powered by self-electrophoresis. This bimetallic Pt-Au system can be immobilized to generate convective fluid flow thereby acting as a micropump. In this work, a combined experimental and numerical approach was used to investigate the key elements, including the self-induced electric field, the proton gradients, and the reaction kinetics that impact the chemomechanical actuation of the Pt-Au electrocatalytic system. The findings contribute towards the fundamental understanding of fluid flow powered by an electrocatalytic micropump that applies to mass transport enhancement in systems.