A Dissipative Reaction Network Drives Transient Solid‐Liquid and Liquid‐Liquid Phase Cycling of Nanoparticles

Transient states maintained by energy dissipation are an essential feature of dynamic systems where structures and functions regulated fluxes matter through chemical reaction networks. Perfected in biology, chemically fueled dissipative networks incorporating nanoscale components allow the unique properties nanomaterials to be bestowed with spatiotemporal adaptability responsiveness. We report transient dispersion gold nanoparticles water, powered a fuel. A dispersed state that is generated under non-equilibrium conditions permits fully reversible solid–liquid or liquid–liquid phase transfer. The molecular basis out-of-equilibrium process covalent modification nanoparticle-bound ligands simple inorganic activator. Activator consumption coupled network leads autonomous cycling between phases. lifetime tunable adjusting pH value, reproducible over several cycles.