Facile synthesis of an α-Bi2O3/BiO2 heterojunction for enhanced piezoelectric catalytic degradation of dye wastewater

Abstract

Piezocatalytic technology represents an innovative form of advanced oxidation technology for degradation of organic pollutants. Piezoelectric catalysis technology combines electrochemistry and piezoelectric properties, and promotes charge transfer through a piezoelectric field, thus promoting catalytic reactions. This study employed a one-step microwave method to fabricate an α-Bi₂O₃/BiO₂ heterojunction with a narrow bandgap. This catalyst exhibited a high efficiency in the degradation of methyl orange dye, achieving a removal rate of 93% in 60 minutes, with a reaction rate constant of 0.0324 min⁻¹. The investigation of the catalytic mechanism demonstrates that the construction of the α-Bi₂O₃/BiO₂ heterojunction facilitates the separation of charge carriers, increases the degree of polarization, and consequently enhances the efficiency of piezoelectric catalytic degradation. This work opens the way for the design and development of high-performance piezoelectric catalysts.