RESUMEN
With the increasing demand for effective methods to address environmental pollution, piezocatalysis has emerged as a promising approach for pollutant degradation under mechanical energy. However, the development of highly efficient piezocatalytic materials remains a challenge. This study aimed to increase the piezocatalytic activity of bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12) by modifying it with zinc stannate (ZnSnO3) nanocubes. The composite catalysts were synthesized using a straightforward deposition and calcination process. The calcination process ensured the tight adhesion of ZnSnO3 nanocubes to the Bi4Ti3O12 surface, while facilitating strong interactions between ZnSnO3 and Bi4Ti3O12, which enhanced electron transfer and heterojunction structure formation. Band structure analysis indicated that Bi4Ti3O12 has higher conduction band and valence band potentials than ZnSnO3, forming a type-II heterojunction. Bi4Ti3O12 possesses a higher Fermi level than ZnSnO3, resulting in interfacial electron drift and formation of a built-in electric field, which further promotes the directional transfer and separation efficiency of charge carriers within the composite catalyst. This hypothesis was confirmed by surface photovoltage spectroscopy, piezoelectric current response, and electrochemical analysis. Consequently, the ZnSnO3/Bi4Ti3O12 composite exhibited significantly improved piezocatalytic performance in RhB degradation, achieving a degradation efficiency of 80 % within 90 min under ultrasonic vibration. The degradation rate of the optimal sample was 8.2 times that of Bi4Ti3O12 and 6.3 times that of ZnSnO3. Additionally, experiments to detect reactive species were conducted to elucidate the mechanism behind the piezocatalytic RhB degradation. Holes and hydroxyl radicals were the main reactive species. This study may offer new insights into the design of efficient piezocatalytic materials.
RESUMEN
The fabrication of an S-scheme heterojunction demonstrates as an efficient strategy for achieving efficient charge separation and enhancing catalytic activity of piezocatalysts. In this study, a new S-scheme heterojunction was fabricated on the PbBiO2Br surface through the photo-deposition of NiO nanoparticles. It was then employed in the piezoelectric catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The results demonstrate that the NiO/PbBiO2Br composite exhibits efficient performance in piezocatalytic RhB degradation. The optimal sample is the NiO/PbBiO2Br synthesized after 2 h of irradiation, achieving a RhB degradation rate of 3.11 h-1, which is 12.4 times higher than that of pure PbBiO2Br. Simultaneous exposure to visible light and ultrasound further increases in the RhB degradation rate, reaching 4.60 h-1, highlighting the synergistic effect of light and piezoelectricity in the NiO/PbBiO2Br composite. A comprehensive exploration of the charge migration mechanism at the NiO/PbBiO2Br heterojunction was undertaken through electrochemical analyses, theoretical calculations, and in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The outcomes reveal that p-type semiconductor NiO and n-type semiconductor PbBiO2Br possess matching band structures, establishing an S-scheme heterojunction structure at their interface. Under the combined effects of band bending, interface electric fields, and Coulomb attraction, electrons and holes migrate and accumulate on the conduction band of PbBiO2Br and valence band of NiO, respectively, thereby achieving effective spatial separation of charge carriers. The catalyst's synergistic photo-piezoelectric catalysis effect can be ascribed to its role in promoting the generation and separation of charge carriers under both light irradiation and the piezoelectric field. The results of this investigation offer valuable insights into the development and production of catalytic materials that exhibit outstanding performance through the synergy of piezocatalysis and photocatalysis.