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

Abstract

Piezoelectric-based catalysis that relies on the charge energy or separation efficiency of charge carriers has attracted significant attention. The piezo-potential induced by strain or stress can induce a giant electric field, which has been demonstrated to be an effective means for charge energy shifting or transferring electrons and holes. In recent years, intense efforts have been made in this subject, and the research has mainly focussed on two aspects: i) Alteration of surface charge energy by piezo-potential in piezocatalysis; ii) the separation of photo-generated charge carriers and the catalytic activity enhancement of an integrated piezoelectric semiconductor or coupled system composed of piezoelectrics and semiconductors. Systematically summarizing the advances of the above two aspects is helpful in the context of deepening understanding of the relevant issues and developing new ideas for piezoelectric-based catalysis. In this review, a comprehensive summary on piezocatalysis and piezo-photocatalysis is provided. The charge transfer behaviors and catalytic mechanisms over a large variety of piezocatalysts and piezo-photocatalysts are systematically analyzed. In addition, the types of mechanical energy, strategies for enhancing piezocatalysis, and the advanced applications of piezocatalysis and piezophotocatalysis are discussed. Finally, the promising development directions of piezocatalysis and piezo-photocatalysis, such as materials, assembly forms, and applications in the future are proposed.

Photodeposition of CoOx nanoparticles on BiFeO3 nanodisk for efficiently piezocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B by utilizing ultrasonic vibration energy

“…The piezocatalytic reaction process can be described as follows: the piezoelectric material deforms under external mechanical stress, causing the misalignment of the centers of positive and negative charges, thereby generating piezoelectric potential. Driven by the piezoelectric field, the thermal-excited free charges in the piezoelectric material are enriched in the opposite direction of the crystal surface, which then triggers the surface electrochemical reaction to achieve dye degradation, CO 2 reduction, water decomposition, etc [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] . The piezoelectric property is the key factor that affects the piezocatalytic behavior of the piezocatalysts.…”

A reduced graphene oxide/bismuth vanadate composite as an efficient piezocatalyst for degradation of organic dye

“…The free electrons and holes within BiVO 4 get attracted, move in opposite direction towards the opposite polarity of the internal electric field. In this way, the recombination of free electrons and holes are inhibited, which results in more transportation of these free charge carriers to the BiVO 4 surface [46][47][48], which further participate in piezocatalytic surface reactions. Moreover, the piezoelectric polarization field also provides further band bending, which further assists in the easy transfer of free carriers to adsorbed pollutants undergoing piezocatalytic reactions [4,46,49].…”

Surface plasmon resonance‐induced Ag‐BaTiO3 composites for catalytic performance

“…It has been also noticed that the embedded metal nanoparticles can also enhance piezocatalysis process associated with piezoelectric materials. There are few reports which support the above‐mentioned statements 27,47,48 . However, there is a requirement for a study to explore the SPR effect on ferroelectric materials in view of piezocatalysis, photocatalysis, and pyrocatalysis.…”