Piezotronic effect enhanced catalytic sterilization: Mechanisms and practical applications

Review article, 2024

As scientific advancements continue apace, piezotronic effect enhanced catalytic sterilization technology shows immense potential. This review covers the fundamental principles and future prospects of this technology. Piezo-catalysis boosts activity by harnessing electric fields and potential differences from piezotronic materials under stress. Piezo-photocatalysis combines light and mechanical stress for dual excitation, while piezo-nanozymes merge piezotronic effects with nanotechnology for exceptional performance. These mechanisms enhance catalyst functionality, and pioneer new catalytic sterilization frontiers. In practical applications, piezotronic effect regulated catalytic techniques exhibit outstanding performance. For instance, in treating infected wounds, mechanical stimulation of piezotronic materials markedly increases catalytic activity, effectively eradicating pathogens. Antibacterial fabrics leverage the piezotronic effect for self-cleaning and long-lasting sterilization, significantly improving their antibacterial properties. In water disinfection, piezotronic catalysis generates reactive oxygen species, swiftly and efficiently eliminating bacteria. Antibacterial implants employ piezo-nanozymes to achieve sustained antibacterial effects in vivo, effectively preventing implant-related infections. This review also summarizes recent advancements in piezotronic effect enhanced catalytic sterilization materials and proposes future research directions. As technology progresses, piezotronic effect enhanced catalytic sterilization holds broad application prospects in medical and environmental protection fields, poised to play a crucial role.