Nano-Ferroelectric for High Efficiency Overall Water Splitting under Ultrasonic Vibration

Piezocatalysis, converting mechanical vibration into chemical energy, has emerged as a promising candidate for water-splitting technology. However, the efficiency of the hydrogen production is quite limited. We herein report well-defined 10 nm BaTiO₃ nanoparticles (NPs) characterized by a large electro-mechanical coefficient which induces a high piezoelectric effect. Atomic-resolution high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM) suggests that piezoelectric BaTiO₃ NPs display a coexistence of multiple phases with low energy barriers and polarization anisotropy which results in a high electro-mechanical coefficient. Landau free energy modeling also confirms that the greatly reduced polarization anisotropy facilitates polarization rotation. Employing the high piezoelectric properties of BaTiO₃ NPs, we demonstrate an overall water-splitting process with the highest hydrogen production efficiency hitherto reported, with a H₂ production rate of 655 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which could rival excellent photocatalysis system. This study highlights the potential of piezoelectric catalysis for overall water splitting.