Ferroelectric field enhanced tribocatalysis hydrogen production and RhB dye degradation by tungsten bronze ferroelectrics

Tribocatalysis is a method that converts mechanical energy into chemical energy. In this study, we synthesized tungsten bronze structure Ba0.75Sr0.25Nb1.9Ta0.1O6 ferroelectric ceramic submicron powder using a traditional solid-state route, and the powder exhibits excellent performance in tribocatalysis water splitting for hydrogen. Under the friction stirring of three polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) magnetic stir bars in pure water, the rate of hydrogen generation by Ba0.75Sr0.25Nb1.9Ta0.1O6 ferroelectric submicron powder is 200 μmol/h/g, and after 72 hours, the accumulated hydrogen production reaches 15892.8 μmol/g. Additionally, this ferroelectric tungsten bronze ferroelectric material also exhibits excellent tribocatalysis degradation ability toward RhB dyes, with degradation efficiency reaching 96% in 2 hours. The work of tribocatalysis based on tungsten bronze ferroelectric materials represents a significant step forward in versatile energy utilization for clean energy and environmental wastewater degradation.