Constructing a 1D/2D piezoelectric Bi2O2CO3/PbTiO3 heterostructure for improving carrier separation and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Photocatalytic efficiency is limited by the recombination of photoinduced electrons and holes. To improve carrier separation, it is essential to develop heterojunctions and internal piezoelectric fields. In this work, a novel Bi₂O₂CO₃/PbTiO₃ (BOC/PTO) heterojunction exhibiting a dual piezoelectric effect is introduced for the first time. The integration of PTO nanofibers with BOC nanosheets increases the contact areas, amplifying deformation and enhancing the piezoelectric effect. The interplay between the heterojunction and piezoelectric field significantly promotes the separation of photoinduced carriers, thereby improving catalytic performance. Profiting from this carrier separation, the 20% BOC/PTO composite shows 2.7 times the efficiency of PTO. Moreover, its photo-piezoelectric catalytic efficiency is two times that of pure photocatalysis and three times that of piezoelectric catalysis, demonstrating the effectiveness of the collaboration of the piezoelectric effect and photocatalysis. This strategy offers a promising approach for controlling carrier dynamics to achieve more efficient photocatalytic reaction.