Abstract A general approach for the easy functionalization of bare silica and glass surfaces with a synthetic manganese catalyst is reported. Decomposition of H 2 O 2 by this dinuclear metallic center into H 2 O and O 2 induced autonomous movement of silica microparticles and glass micro-sized fibers. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to rationalise movement of particles driven by H 2 O 2 decomposition to O 2 and water (recoil ...
