Symmetry-breaking induced piezocatalysis of Bi2S3 nanorods and boosted by alternating magnetic field

In this work, the centrosymmetry of Bi 2 S 3 nanorods is broken due to the introduction of large quantities of S i defects in the crystal lattice, which then endows the Bi 2 S 3 nanorods with the ability to efficiently reduce Cr(VI) by piezocatalysis. Most importantly, the piezocatalytic reduction could be significantly boosted by applying an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The AMF coupled piezocatalysis is achieved by H 2 O 2 and·O 2 - . AMF is found to facilitate the separation of electrons and holes due to the magnetoresistance effect of Bi 2 S 3 nanorods, thus remarkably enhancing the piezocatalysis by largely increasing the generation of H 2 O 2 . This work paves a new way for inducing the piezoelectricity of centrosymmetric materials by introducing defects and improving their catalytic activity through AMF, which has a great application potential in energy and environment fields. • Bi 2 S 3 nanorods were endowed with piezocatalytic performance due to the symmetry breaking effect. • Cr(VI) is highly efficient reduced to Cr(III) of the piezocatalysis. • The piezocatalysis is greatly boosted by applying an alternating magnetic field. • H 2 O 2 and·O 2 - were found to be generated and reduce Cr(VI) while pieozcatalysis.