High-performance piezocatalytic hydrogen evolution by (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 cubes decorated with cocatalysts

Piezocatalysis has great potential in the field of new energy. Developing robust piezocatalyst with high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance is of great significance but still challenging. Here, the hydrothermal-synthesized (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BNT) cubes are demonstrated to the excellent piezocatalytic HER performance. Based on the strong piezoelectric property, the BNT cubes allow an efficient water splitting by the action of ultrasonic vibration, with a H2 yield of 0.38 mmol g−1 h−1 and a H2O2 yield of 0.25 mmol g−1 h−1. To further improve the piezoelectric HER efficiency, Ag and CoOx nanoparticles are employed as the cocatalysts through photochemical decoration. Consequently, the HER performance of BNT cubes is significantly enhanced. These cocatalysts provide the unique channels for charge transfer, thus increase the charge separation efficiency, thereby enhancing the piezocatalytic HER performance. This work not only demonstrates the eco-friendly BNT is a promising and superior piezocatalyst for new-energy applications, but also provides a rational strategy to enhance the piezocatalytic performance.