Cocatalyst Engineering in Piezocatalysis: A Promising Strategy for Boosting Hydrogen Evolution

Piezoelectric semiconductor-based piezocatalysis has emerged as a promising approach for converting mechanical energy into chemical energy for renewable hydrogen generation and wastewater treatment under the action of mechanical vibration. Similar to photocatalysis, piezocatalysis is triggered by the separation, transfer, and consumption of piezo-generated electrons and holes. Inspired by this, herein, we report that the cocatalyst, which is widely used in photocatalysis, can also improve the semiconductor-based piezocatalytic properties. In the proof-of-concept design, well-defined Pd as a model cocatalyst has been deposited on the surface of piezoelectric BiFeO₃ nanosheets, which not only facilitates the separation of charge carriers by accepting the piezoelectrons from BiFeO₃ but also lowers the activation energy/overpotential through supplying highly active sites for the proton reduction reaction. Consequently, the as-obtained hybrid piezocatalyst delivers a high H₂ evolution rate of 11.4 μmol h^-1 (10 mg of catalyst), 19.0 times as high as that of bare BiFeO₃. The band tilting induced by the piezoelectric potential is proposed to lower or eliminate the Schottky barrier and smooth the electron transfer from BiFeO₃ to Pd, while the exposed facet, domain size, and loading amount of Pd cocatalyst are proved to be the key parameters determining the ultimate piezocatalytic activity. Our work provides some enlightenment on advancing the design and fabrication of more efficient piezocatalysts for H₂ evolution based on rational engineering on the cocatalyst.