Graphitic Carbon Nitride‐Based Microrobots: Progress and Prospects in Environmental and Biomedical Applications

ABSTRACT Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) is a metal‐free semiconductor responsive to visible light that has attracted considerable interest as a photocatalyst in environmental and biomedical applications. Constructing photocatalysts as light‐driven microrobots allows simultaneous propulsion and catalytic activity, both driven by photoinduced charge separation. In addition, light‐driven systems can perform remote control of micro/nanorobots (MNRs) and reduce their reliance on external chemical fuels. Thus, g‐C 3 N 4 has been investigated as a functional material for microrobots, owing to its low cost, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. This review presents an overview of g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based microrobots, including their fabrication strategies for different morphologies, such as tubular, sheet‐like, and spherical structures. It also discusses their propulsion mechanisms, including self‐diffusiophoresis, self‐electrophoresis, and bubble propulsion. Their applications in water purification, including the degradation of organic pollutants and the removal of heavy metals, are discussed, followed by biomedical uses such as antibacterial therapy and drug delivery. Finally, current challenges and prospects for the development of efficient and sustainable g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based microrobots are outlined.

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Journal
Small
Published
2026-10-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.75905
Primary Topic
Micro and Nano Robotics
Type
article
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article

Graphitic Carbon Nitride‐Based Microrobots: Progress and Prospects in Environmental and Biomedical Applications

Martin Pumera, Yunhuan Yuan
Small
Micro and Nano Robotics
article

Graphitic Carbon Nitride‐Based Microrobots: Progress and Prospects in Environmental and Biomedical Applications

Martin Pumera, Yunhuan Yuan
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) is a metal‐free semiconductor responsive to visible light that has attracted considerable interest as a photocatalyst in environmental and biomedical applications. Constructing photocatalysts as light‐driven microrobots allows simultaneous propulsion and catalytic activity, both driven by photoinduced charge separation. In addition, light‐driven systems can perform remote control of micro/nanorobots (MNRs) and reduce their reliance on external chemical fuels. Thus, g‐C 3 N 4 has been investigated as a functional material for microrobots, owing to its low cost, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. This review presents an overview of g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based microrobots, including their fabrication strategies for different morphologies, such as tubular, sheet‐like, and spherical structures. It also discusses their propulsion mechanisms, including self‐diffusiophoresis, self‐electrophoresis, and bubble propulsion. Their applications in water purification, including the degradation of organic pollutants and the removal of heavy metals, are discussed, followed by biomedical uses such as antibacterial therapy and drug delivery. Finally, current challenges and prospects for the development of efficient and sustainable g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based microrobots are outlined.

Small
Central European Institute of Technology (CZ), VSB - Technical University of Ostrava (CZ), Asia University (TW), China Medical University (TW), Yonsei University (KR), Central European Institute of Technology (AT), China Medical University Hospital (TW), Brno University of Technology (CZ)
Openalex Percentile: Top 21%
Micro and Nano Robotics
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