Recent progress on piezoelectric materials for renewable energy conversion

• Published in: Nano energy 2020-11, Vol.77, p.105180, Article 105180
• Main Authors: Yan, Xiaohui, Li, Gang, Wang, Zheyan, Yu, Zhichao, Wang, Kaiying, Wu, Yucheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assisted polarization field; Hydrogen energy; Piezoelectrics; Water splitting
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105180

Semiconductor photoelectricity (PE)/photoelectrochemistry (PEC) as an ideal technology is expected to overcome challenges in renewable energy conversion and environmental remediation. However, fast recombination of photo-generated charges severely restricts PE/PEC conversion efficiency. Furthermore, the static electric field is prone to be saturated by free carries, resulting in decay of photoelectric/photochemical conversion efficiency. To overcome above-mentioned problems, the construction of permanent internal electric field is an effective strategy to improve photo-electricity or -chemistry by promoting charge separation. Recently, piezoelectric effects have emerged as a promising strategy for tuning the charge separation, which the assisted fields such as ultrasonic, magnetic, built-in electric field, and mechanical stress have been increasingly utilized to improve renewable energy PE/PEC conversion. Herein, this review summarizes the recent progress on piezoelectric photoelectrochemistry by using various assisted fields to promote photo-generated carriers separation for H2 generation from PEC water splitting. Then we discussed the piezoelectrics in the PE applications, such as solar cells and photodetectors. As a summary, the future research directions and challenges of piezoelectric photoelectrochemistry with different assisted fields are discussed for enhancing the charge separation. This review paper summarizes recent progress on piezoelectric photoelectrochemistry by using various assisted fields to promote photo-generated carriers separation for H2 generation from PEC water splitting, and discusses the piezoelectrics in the PE applications. [Display omitted] •The major natural limitations that hinder the use of piezoelectric materials for solar water splitting are summarized.•Piezoelectric assistance fields by ultrasonic, magnetic, built-in electric field and mechanical stress are discussed.•Recent progress on piezoelectric PEC by using various assisted fields are summarized to promote H2 generation.•The perspectives for the piezoelectric materials under mechanical stress assistance field are addressed.