Boosting Photocatalytic H <sub>2</sub> and H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Evolution Enabled by Surface Non‐Uniform Pyroelectric Field Derived Dielectrophoresis Effect
Abstract Photocatalytic water splitting into H 2 and H 2 O 2 presents a promising approach for converting solar energy into chemical energy. However, sluggish charge migration and unsatisfactory mass transfer restrict its activity. Herein, a photocatalytic system composed of a ZnO/Mo 2 C/polyacrylic acid hydrogel and carbonized wood, featuring surface non‐uniform pyroelectric field‐derived dielectrophoresis effect to offer a driving force for both charge and mass transfer is demonstrated. The chaotic motion of water vapor generated by the carbonized wood and the photothermal effect of Mo 2 C induce surface temperature oscillations and alter the polarization state of ZnO, resulting in a maximum 0.52 V surface non‐uniform pyroelectric field and stimulating a 108‐fold increase in dielectrophoresis force. This photocatalytic system demonstrates a 41% reduction in carrier migration barriers induced by non‐uniform pyroelectric field, alongside a local enrichment of intermediates and optimized H 2 diffusion via dielectrophoresis force, thus resulting in a record photocatalytic activity with H 2 and H 2 O 2 evolution rates of 755.5 and 626.3 µmol h −1 , respectively. A large‐area system (900 cm 2 ) is fabricated, yielding 2.5 L of H 2 and 103.05 mmol of H 2 O 2 per day under natural sunlight. This study presents promising design criteria for creating an efficient photocatalytic system focusing on energy harvesting and the production of high‐value‐added products.
Authors
- Youzi Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8574-3019)
- Xin Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5247-2937)
- Sibi Liu
- Y. Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1938-1438)
- Peng Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8365-7133)
- Tong Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9032-1569)
- Xuanhua Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3243-3567)
- Jie Su (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4431-7184)
- Shujie Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4880-9856)
- Nazia Nasr
Institutions
- Xidian University (CN)
- Northwestern Polytechnical University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Energy Materials
- Published
- 2025-05-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202501097
- Citations
- 7
- Primary Topic
- Gas Sensing Nanomaterials and Sensors
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.11
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- National Key Research and Development Program of China
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
- Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province