Programmable Photocontrolled Nanomotor Swarming and Patterning for Targeted Microplastic Capture

The pervasive accumulation of microplastics in aquatic environments presents escalating ecological challenges, yet their small size and dispersibility hinder efficient removal using conventional technologies. Here, we report a programmable, light-responsive nanomotor based on 9-(methylaminomethyl)anthracene (9-MMA) functionalized, cobalt-doped ZIF-90. The nanomotors exhibit autonomous propulsion in dilute hydrogen peroxide and undergo reversible, light-controlled swarming and deswarming behavior under alternating 365 and 265 nm irradation, driven by 9-MMA photodimerization and photodissociation. UV laser-guided photopatterning further enables spatially programmable swarming, allowing precise control over dynamic aggregation zones and macroscale pattern formation. Upon 365 nm exposure, the swarming nanomotors efficiently bind and coaggregate dispersed polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics into visible flocs, enabling enhanced collection. This study presents a new microplastic enrichment strategy that integrates nanomotor propulsion, dynamic swarming, and multifunctionality, offering new insights for environmental nanotechnology.