Bi25FeO40/Bi2O2CO3 piezoelectric catalyst with built-in electric fields that was prepared via photochemical self-etching of Bi25FeO40 for 4-chlorophenol degradation

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 341; p. 130908
• Main Authors: Jiang, Tingjin, Wang, Yang, Guo, Zichang, Luo, Haopeng, Zhan, Chuanxiang, Wang, Yaojin, Wang, Zhe, Jiang, Fang, Chen, Huan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 20.03.2022
• Subjects: 4-Chlorophenol; bismuth; Bismuth ferrite (Bi25FeO40); Bismuth oxy-carbonate (Bi2O2CO3); catalysts; catalytic activity; formaldehyde; methanol; Photo-chemical self-etching; photochemistry; Piezoelectric catalysis; pollutants; reaction mechanisms; ultrasonics; vibration; Piezoelectric catalysis; 4-Chlorophenol; Bismuth oxy-carbonate (Bi2O2CO3); Bismuth ferrite (Bi25FeO40); Photo-chemical self-etching
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130908

Piezoelectric catalysis based on the polarization of piezoelectric materials is a promising technology for environmental pollutant treatment. Developing effective piezoelectric catalysts and clarifying the reaction mechanism are crucial to the application of piezoelectric catalysis. Herein, a unique strategy of photochemical self-etching of Bi25FeO40 was used to prepare a piezoelectric catalyst of Bi25FeO40/Bi2O2CO3. During the photochemical process, methanol was oxidized to formaldehyde, and then Bi species on the surface of Bi25FeO40 reacted with formaldehyde to form Bi2O2CO3. As a lead-free piezoelectric catalyst, the Bi25FeO40/Bi2O2CO3 composite possessed excellent activity for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol under ultrasonic vibration, and the degradation efficiency was more than 90% within 120 min. Introducing Bi2O2CO3 onto the surface of Bi25FeO40 can significantly promote the piezoelectric catalytic activity of Bi25FeO40 via the effect of built-in electric fields. It was also found that ·OH and ·O2− are the main active species that are responsible for the degradation of 4-CP. The results that are presented here can extend the piezoelectric application of bismuth ferrate, and the strategy for building up the heterojunction is helpful for the preparation of other Bi-containing piezoelectric catalysts. [Display omitted] •Photochemical self-etching strategy was used for the generation of formaldehyde to fabricate Bi25FeO40/Bi2O2CO3 heterojunctions.•Bi25FeO40/Bi2O2CO3 composite was found to be attractive as a lead-free piezo piezoelectric catalyst with high activity of 4-CP degradation.•Introduction of Bi2O2CO3 promoted the piezoelectric catalytic activity of Bi25FeO40 via the effect of built-in electric fields.