Piezoelectric potential enhanced photocatalytic performance based on ZnO with different nanostructures

Abstract

In this paper, two novel nanostructures with ZnO nanowire and nanosheet arrays vertically growing on the FTO and Al foil have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method, which exhibit both the piezoelectric and photocatalytic properties. These nanostructures have typical wurtzite structures based on the XRD results. From the SEM results, the average diameter and length of nanowire have been measured to be about 150 nm and 4.5 μm, the thickness of ZnO nanosheet is about 50 nm and the width is about 5 μm. In the photocatalytic test, the photodegradation of RhB under 365 nm illumination for nanowire and nanosheet is about 25% and 37% in 80 min reaction. With stirring, the degradation rate is increased to 61% and 85%. Finally, the photocurrent test and finite element method were used to analyze the piezo-photodegradation mechanism.

An Effective Self-Powered Piezoelectric Sensor for Monitoring Basketball Skills

“…When the deformation occurs, the dipole direction is changed, and the built-in electric field is reduced, releasing the surface bound charges. The output signal can be detected in the external circuit [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Finally, when the deformation disappears, the dipoles return to the original state and the released charges are rebounded to the surface again.…”

“…Due to the flexibility, these devices can be portably and harmless to be attached on human skin. More importantly, these devices can realize real-time transmission and analysis of motion without external battery, and the device size can be easily designed according to actual demand [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Due to mechanical flexibility, lightweight, high piezoelectric output and environmental protection, PVDF is always regarded as a candidate for Nanogenerators [ 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

FEM Analysis of Various Multilayer Structures for CMOS Compatible Wearable Acousto-Optic Devices

“…Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films exhibit good piezoelectric characteristics with high k 2 , sensitivity, reliability and attractive optical properties. [ 28 , 29 ]. On account of promising optical, electro-optic, piezoelectric, photoelastic, photorefractive and elastic properties [ 30 ], ferroelectric lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ) is also broadly utilised in guided-wave optics.…”

“…Notwithstanding that, another component tends to be developed on various substrates, incorporating silicon (Si). Additionally, aluminium nitride (AlN)-based layered SAW has attracted significant interest [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. It is mainly popular among other piezoelectric materials because of its high acoustic velocity (5760 ms −1 ).…”

Remarkably enhanced piezo-photocatalytic performance in BaTiO3/CuO heterostructures for organic pollutant degradation

“…Recently, it has attracted increasing attention to introduce the piezoelectric effect into the photocatalysis to improve catalytic activity [20][21][22][23]. In this process, a built-in electric field is established by piezoelectric effect to promote the separation of photo-generated electrons and holes.…”