Low-carbon hydrogen production via water-splitting-driven by piezoelectric and pyroelectric catalysis

Harnessing mechanical and thermal energy through piezoelectric and pyroelectric catalysis has emerged as an effective strategy for producing hydrogen and reducing dependence on carbon-based fuels. [1]. Recent advances in piezoelectric and pyroelectric catalysis induced by mechanical and thermal excitations, respectively, towards hydrogen generation via the water-splitting process will be presented in this contribution. We demonstrate an efficient piezo- and pyrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction and rhodamine B degradation using ferroelectric BaTiO3-based nanoparticles and potassium niobate nanoplatelets [2,3]. The excellent degradation efficiency, the kinetic rate constant, and the piezo- and pyrocatalytic stability demonstrate the significant potential of these materials for environmental remediation applications. The impact of heterovalent ion substitution in improving catalytic degradation properties will be discussed [2]. [1] S. Touili et al., Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 78, 218 (2024). [2] S. Touili et al., Ceram. Int. 50, 29437 (2024). [3] S. Touili et al., Fuel 405,136705 [2026].