Kirigami Photopiezo Catalysts for Self-Sustainable Environment Remediation

Abstract

Photo(electro)-piezo catalysis has emerged as one of the most effective strategies for sustainable environmental remediation. While various (nano)materials have been investigated for enhancing the intrinsic properties related to the interfacial band structure, increasing the efficiency by integration of materials with rational design for stress–strain applications has not yet been considered. Herein, we introduce kirigami strain engineering to photopiezo catalysts for enhancing efficiency by increasing the magnitude of applied strain and density of bends. Macroscale stretching motion is converted into localized bending by a pliable kirigami structure using similar or even lower input energy, which can be easily modulated by natural waves. The kirigami structure leads to a significant enhancement (∼250%) in the degradation of dyes, and we discovered the significant contribution of the oxygen reduction pathway in the charge-transfer mechanism, which corresponds to the observed enhancement. The photopiezo catalytic effects of kirigami were further highlighted by the small water reservoir test, showing its feasibility in nature for self-sustainable environmental remediation that can be modulated using motions of winds, waves, and life vibrations.

Chiral Kirigami for Bend‐Tolerant Reconfigurable Hologram with Continuously Variable Chirality Measures

“…The kirigami sheets with simple rectangular slit patterns (Figure 1a,b) display reversible deformations [28,29] converting transverse strain into rotational motion. [28,30,31] Consequently, a flat achiral surface becomes an array of chiral scattering elements. A repeating unit cell for the entire kirigami here consists of four domains -two convex and two concave -alternating in both the horizontal and vertical directions.…”

A Robust Pyro-phototronic Route to Markedly Enhanced Photocatalytic Disinfection

“…Pathogenic bacteria have the potential to initiate severe afflictions on public health, leading to widespread infectious diseases and even fatalities. − Therefore, it is paramount to develop viable technologies to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria and mitigate their harm to human beings. Various disinfection methods have been explored in this context, including antibiotics, chlorination, ozonation, ultraviolet light illumination, and microbial degradation. − Despite relentless efforts, attaining effective disinfection continues to be a formidable challenge, compounded by the emergence of increasingly pathogenic or resistant bacterial strains, the production of environmentally detrimental byproducts, substantial energy demands, and prohibitive costs of equipment. , Thus, there is an urgent need to develop environmentally friendly, feasible, and robust disinfection approaches.…”