Piezoelectrically Enhanced Photocatalysis with BiFeO3 Nanostructures for Efficient Water Remediation

Abstract

SummaryDesigning new catalysts that can efficiently utilize multiple energy sources can contribute to solving the current challenges of environmental remediation and increasing energy demands. In this work, we fabricated single-crystalline BiFeO3 (BFO) nanosheets and nanowires that can successfully harness visible light and mechanical vibrations and utilize them for degradation of organic pollutants. Under visible light both BFO nanostructures displayed a relatively slow reaction rate. However, under piezocatalysis both nanosheets and nanowires exhibited higher reaction rates in comparison with photocatalytic degradation. When both solar light and mechanical vibrations were used simultaneously, the reaction rates were elevated even further, with the BFO nanowires degrading 97% of RhB dye within 1 hr (k-value 0.058 min−1). The enhanced degradation under mechanical vibrations can be attributed to the promotion of charge separation caused by the internal piezoelectric field of BFO. BFO nanowires also exhibited good reusability and versatility toward degrading four different organic pollutants.

Structure, Performance, and Application of BiFeO3 Nanomaterials

“…Adapted with permission from Refs. [31][32][33][34][36][37][38][39] and nanowires [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. The morphologies and size of BFO nanostructures largely affect the properties.…”

Piezo-catalysis for nondestructive tooth whitening

“…The effects are similar to photocatalysis, which is based on photo-induced charges rather than mechanically-induced charges. Some classical piezoelectric materials, such as ZnO 29 , BaTiO 3 30,31 , and BiFeO 3 32 , have been demonstrated as effecient piezo-catalysts.…”

On-the-fly catalytic degradation of organic pollutants using magneto-photoresponsive bacteria-templated microcleaners

“…where C o is the initial RhB concentration, and C is the RhB concentration at time t. This calculation is based on the assumption that the kinetics of the RhB degradation reaction catalyzed by the microstructures are (pseudo)-rst-order reactions. 20,26 These results are presented in Fig. 3d, where Fig.…”

“…This approach allows the utilization of a broader solar spectrum and dramatically reduces the electron-hole recombination rate by promoting their separation and, thus, increasing their lifetime. 20,[24][25][26] In order to develop photocatalysts for practical applications it is important to utilize cost-effective materials that can be easily employed in a simple batch-fabrication process. In addition, it is important to design photocatalysts with a high surface area to enhance the surface-driven catalytic reactions.…”