Supramolecular Engineering of Polymeric Semiconductor Nanomotors with Phototactic Motion and Antimicrobial Function

Abstract The development of high-performance photocatalysts is essential for advancing light-driven micro/nanomotors. However, the limited morphological tunability and inefficient charge transport of most polymeric semiconductors significantly restrict their photocatalytic activity and propulsion performance. Herein, dendritic mesoporous m-aminophenol-formaldehyde (MAPF) resin semiconductors with tunable pore structures and particle sizes are synthesized via a micelle-mediated self-assembly strategy. By integrating metal–phenolic supramolecular coordination networks with MAPF nanospheres, followed by asymmetric Au deposition, a hybrid nanomotor system is constructed. The metal–phenolic network facilitates interfacial charge transfer and optimizes charge-carrier dynamics between the photoactive MAPF core and the Au layer, thereby enhancing propulsion performance. The resulting nanomotors exhibit multiwavelength-controllable motion and phototactic collective behaviors. Meanwhile, the metal–phenolic components endow the system with intrinsic antibacterial activity and pH-responsive degradability, enabling controllable antimicrobial effects. As a proof of concept, the nanomotors demonstrate synergistic photodynamic and chemical antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Karenia mikimotoi. This work presents the demonstration of supramolecular interfacial engineering for enhancing the performance of polymeric semiconductor-based micro/nanomotors, highlighting its potential for constructing multifunctional, high-performance light-driven micro/nanomotor systems.