Enhanced piezo-photocatalytic performance of Ag@Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 composites

The coupling of piezoelectric and plasmonic effects is an effective strategy to enhance the photocatalytic performances. Here we prepared the new piezoelectric composites composed of Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 nanoplates coated with Ag particles, which exhibited excellent piezo-photocatalytic performances. The plasmonic effect of Ag nanoparticles widened the catalysts’ spectral absorption range, and the electric field from the deformation of Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 piezoelectric nanoplates can largely enhance the separation and migration efficiencies of photo-generated charge carriers in Ag@Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 composites. With full-spectrum lights and ultrasonic excitation simultaneously, the piezo-photocatalytic activity of Ag@Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 degraded 98.8% RhB in 30 min, and the corresponding rate constant k value reached as high as 0.146 min −1 , 7.6 times that of pure Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 photocatalysis. This work suggests a novel method to design and develop efficient piezoelectric photocatalysts. • Ag nanoparticles are uniformly grown on the highly crystalline Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 nanoplates. • Piezo-photocatalysis of Ag@Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 fast degrades RhB with the k value of 0.146 min −1 . • Synergy of piezoelectric and plasmonic effects promotes migration of photo-generated carriers.