Advances of piezoelectric nanomaterials for applications in advanced oxidation technologies

Emerging environmental issues urge for energy-saving, clean and efficient water treatment technologies. Piezoelectric materials are promising to meet the needs via driving piezocatalysis-based advanced oxidation technologies (AOTs). Because of the non-centrosymmetric nature of piezoelectric materials, they demonstrate unique features by creating a built-in electric field via dipole polarization to generate polarized holes, electrons, and reactive oxygen species for water decontamination. This review covers the recent advances of piezoelectric nanomaterials and their applications in water remediation via piezocatalysis, piezo-photocatalysis, piezoelectric Fenton (piezo-Fenton), and piezocatalytic Fenton-like processes. We have discussed the features of piezoelectric nanomaterials, mechanisms of different piezocatalytic systems, stability of piezoelectric catalysts, and opportunities for new research directions. Perspectives on future design of novel nanostructured piezoelectric materials and promising combination with other catalytic systems for AOTs will also be provided.