Polarisation tuneable piezo-catalytic activity of Nb-doped PZT with low Curie temperature for efficient CO reduction and H generation.

The reduction of CO into useful hydrocarbon chemicals has attracted significant attention in light of the depletion in fossil resources and the global demand for sustainable sources of energy. In this paper, we demonstrate piezo-catalytic electrochemical reduction of CO by exploiting low Curie temperature, ∼ 38 °C, Nb-doped lead zirconate titanate (PZTN) piezoelectric particulates. The large change in spontaneous polarisation of PZTN due to the acoustic pressures from to the application of ultrasound in the vicinity of the creates free charges for CO reduction.