Piezo-electrocatalysis – magic or science?

Abstract: Piezo-electrocatalysis is an emerging new research area that has the potential to convert redundant mechanical vibrations in industrial systems into useful electrocatalytic processes [1-6]. Charges within the piezo-electrocatalyst are polarised due to mechanical stress, leading to enhanced redox reactions on the piezo-electrocatalyst surface. Due to the conversion of mechanical into chemical energy, this new area of research has the potential to create new opportunities to design miniaturised electrochemical devices.

So far, piezo-electrocatalysis has been mainly investigated as a new green technology for dye wastewater treatment [1-5]. However, its promising potential has not been fully exploited as several factors influencing the piezo-electrocatalytic process are still not clear. We will highlight and discuss some of the existing issues in this field by transferring common practice and existing knowledge from other research areas such as general piezoelectricity and sonochemistry.

References
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