Abstract:
Piezocatalysis has emerged as a promising strategy for converting ambient mechanical energy into chemical energy through stress-induced polarization, charge separation, and surface redox reactions. In this presentation, I will provide a perspective on our development of advanced piezocatalysts for environmental remediation, hydrogen evolution, and ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions.
Our early research demonstrated that two-dimensional materials are highly effective piezocatalysts because of their mechanical flexibility, large surface area, and strong coupling between deformation and charge redistribution. These properties enable mechanically generated charges to drive the degradation of organic pollutants and water-splitting reactions. Building on this foundation, we developed defect-engineered catalysts, metal–piezoelectric interfaces, and semiconductor heterostructures to enhance charge separation, regulate interfacial electric fields, and accelerate surface redox kinetics for hydrogen production and N2 reduction to ammonia.
Emerging material concepts, including high-entropy piezocatalysts, flexocatalysts, phase-boundary-engineered materials, and multifunctional heterostructures, will also be discussed. High-entropy design offers opportunities to regulate lattice distortion, polarization, defect distribution, and catalytic active sites, while flexocatalysis utilizes strain gradients to generate catalytic polarization beyond conventional piezoelectric materials. Furthermore, coupling mechanical stimulation with light, heat, magnetic fields, or electrochemical processes can further improve catalytic activity and selectivity.
Finally, prototype systems powered by acoustic waves, cavitation, fluid flow, and gravity will be highlighted to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing practical mechanical-energy sources. Remaining challenges in mechanistic understanding, energy-conversion efficiency, catalytic stability, standardized evaluation, and reactor scale-up will be discussed, together with future opportunities for mechanically driven sustainable fuel production and environmental remediation.