Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation Performance by Fluid-Induced Piezoelectric Field

Abstract

The introduction of a piezoelectric field has been proven a promising method to enhance photocatalytic activity by preventing photoelectron-hole recombination. However, the formation of a piezoelectric field requires additional mechanical force or high-frequency ultrasonic baths, which limits its potential application on industrial scale. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to design the catalyst that can harvest the discrete energy such as the fluid mechanical energy to form the electric field. Herein, PZT/TiO catalyst with a core-shell configuration was prepared by a simple coating method. By collecting the mechanical energy of water, an internal piezoelectric field was induced. Under 800 rpm stirring, transient photocurrent measured on PZT/TiO electrode is about 1.7 times higher than that of 400 rpm. Correspondingly, the photocatalytic degradation rate and mineralization efficiency of RhB, BPA, phenol, p-chlorophenol much improved, showing the promoting effect of piezoelectric field generated directly from harvesting the discrete fluid mechanical energy.

Piezocatalysis and Piezo‐Photocatalysis: Catalysts Classification and Modification Strategy, Reaction Mechanism, and Practical Application

“…the degradation rate of Rhodamine B (RhB) over spherical lead zirconate titanate (PZT) was improved ( Figure 3c,d), [66] and the monitored reactive oxygen species (ROS) indicated that the shearing force during the stirring process was well utilized by catalysts. [19] Piezocatalytic materials with hierarchical structure will be more efficient for capturing the fluid mechanical energy.…”

Polyaniline-TiO2 composite photocatalysts for light-driven hexavalent chromium ions reduction

“…Photocatalytic technology has attracted increasing attention not only for its simplicity and convenience, but also for its direct uti-lization of sunlight recently [18][19][20][21]. Research on photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) is becoming much more extensive [22,23], among which TiO 2 is the most commonly used photocatalyst [24].…”

Sized dependence and microstructural defects on highly photocatalytic activity based on multisized CdTe quantum dots sensitized TiO2

“…Compared with various traditional techniques, photocatalytic degradation can be carried out under ambient conditions, with complete degradation of organic pollutants into CO 2 and H 2 O . Among all the photocatalysts, TiO 2 has received the increasing attention since photocatalytic water splitting was studied, because of its low cost, nontoxicity, wide band gap, and chemical and light stability . However, TiO 2 has a wide band gap of 3.2 eV, which can only absorb UV light ( λ < 387 nm) and restricted the full absorption of sunlight (only 3%‐5%) …”