AbstractFabrications of nanomotors (NMs) are at the forefront of exploring the true potential of nanotechnology. Tubular nanomotors (TNMs) have been attracting huge interest recently. NMs based on 2D-hexagonal mesoporous silica (SBA-15) have been prepared through the surfactant-assisted sol–gel method. Copper and/or iron oxide nanoparticles have been impregnated in SBA-15 to form catalytic tubular nanomotors. Characterization has been investigated by XPS, XRD, HR-TEM, SEM–EDS, and BET. The electrochemical measurements were used to confirm the motion of the nanomotors. By increasing the loading of metal oxide nanoparticles, the motion decreases; this could be observed from the current loss. The anti-cancer potential of synthesized nanomotors against two cell lines (A549 and H460) of human lung carcinoma has been tested. Among all tested NMs, high-metal oxide-loaded materials containing CuO only as well as CuO and Fe2O3 are potent and significant in apoptotic cell death for lung cancer treatment. Graphical abstract