  Active diffusiophoresis - swimming through interaction with a self-generated,
neutral, solute gradient - is a paradigm for autonomous motion at the
micrometer scale. We study this propulsion mechanism within a linear response
theory. Firstly, we consider several aspects relating to the dynamics of the
swimming particle. We extend established analytical formulae to describe small
swimmers, which interact with their environment on a finite lengthscale. Solute
convection is also taken into account. Modeling of the chemical reaction
reveals a coupling between the angular distribution of reactivity on the
swimmer and the concentration field. This effect, which we term "reaction
induced concentration distortion", strongly influences the particle speed.
Building on these insights, we employ irreversible, linear thermodynamics to
formulate an energy balance. This approach highlights the importance of solute
convection for a consistent treatment of the energetics. The efficiency of
swimming is calculated numerically and approximated analytically. Finally, we
define an efficiency of transport for swimmers which are moving in random
directions. It is shown that this efficiency scales as the inverse of the
macroscopic distance over which transport is to occur.
