Recent Advances in Piezocatalysis and Piezo‐Photocatalysis in Energy and Environment: Materials, Design, and Applications

ABSTRACT Piezocatalytic technology utilizes mechanical strain or stress‐induced piezoelectric phenomena to produce robust internal electric fields, markedly improving the separation efficiency of e − ‐h + pairs. This method has emerged as a focal point in catalysis by removing reliance on conventional light or electrical energy via its mechanical‐to‐chemical energy conversion mechanism. Conventional piezoelectric materials (e.g., BaTiO 3 and ZnO) employ mechanically stress‐induced piezoelectric phenomena to produce alternating intrinsic electric fields, which are essential for effective carrier separation and migration. Recent years have seen substantial advancements in the development of innovative piezocatalytic materials, such as transition metal chalcogenides, bismuth‐based piezo‐materials, metal‐organic framework‐based piezo‐materials, and nonmetal‐based piezo‐materials. Researchers have enhanced the coupling mechanism between piezoelectric response and catalytic activity using tactics such as heterostructure building and defect engineering. This review thoroughly evaluates recent developments in piezocatalysis and photocatalysis, assesses the piezoelectric properties of diverse materials, and investigates optimization techniques. Mechanistic investigations elucidate the practical applications and underlying mechanisms of these technologies in environmental remediation and energy conversion, encompassing water purification, water splitting, and N 2 fixation and CO 2 reduction. The report finishes by delineating problems in piezocatalysis and photocatalysis while proposing avenues for future research.