Tuning piezoelectric field for optimizing the coupling effect of piezo-photocatalysis

In this work, the tuning of piezoelectric and energy-harvesting are realized in solvothermal synthesized Cl doped ZnO nanorods (NRs), which is designed to boost the coupling effect of piezo-photocatalysis for dye decomposition. For the optimal sample 5%-Cl-ZnO, the coupling constant is about 24.4 times greater than that of pure ZnO, which is benefited from the synergistic effect of the increased radial piezoelectric properties and the superiority of nanorods structure. Optimal 5%-Cl-ZnO NRs not only maintains high migration efficiency for photo-generated carriers in the axial direction, but also separate more thoroughly and transmit faster in the radial direction. This work clearly demonstrates a high correlation between piezoelectricity and coupling effect of piezo-photocatalysis, and provides a new strategy for optimizing the transport of photogenerated carriers in 1D photocatalyst.