Kirigami Photopiezo Catalysts for Self-Sustainable Environment Remediation

Abstract

Photo(electro)-piezo catalysis has emerged as one ofthe most effectivestrategies for sustainable environmental remediation. While various(nano)materials have been investigated for enhancing the intrinsicproperties related to the interfacial band structure, increasing theefficiency by integration of materials with rational design for stress-strainapplications has not yet been considered. Herein, we introduce kirigamistrain engineering to photopiezo catalysts for enhancing efficiencyby increasing the magnitude of applied strain and density of bends.Macroscale stretching motion is converted into localized bending bya pliable kirigami structure using similar or even lower input energy,which can be easily modulated by natural waves. The kirigami structureleads to a significant enhancement (& SIM;250%) in the degradationof dyes, and we discovered the significant contribution of the oxygenreduction pathway in the charge-transfer mechanism, which correspondsto the observed enhancement. The photopiezo catalytic effects of kirigamiwere further highlighted by the small water reservoir test, showingits feasibility in nature for self-sustainable environmental remediationthat can be modulated using motions of winds, waves, and life vibrations.