Piezoelectrically induced mechano-catalytic effect for degradation of dye wastewater through vibrating Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 fibers

Hydrothermally synthesized piezoelectric Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3 fibers were used as a mechano-catalyzer to degrade acid orange 7 dye wastewater via the mechano-catalytic effect, which was achieved as a product of the piezoelectric effect and the electro-catalytic effect. When subjected to mechanical vibration, the Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3 fibers bend, which in turn induces electric charges on the surfaces of the fibers via the piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectrically induced electric charges induce chemical degradation reactions in the dye wastewater through the electro-catalytic effect. A high mechano-catalytic degradation ratio of similar to 80% was achieved for the acid orange 7 solutions (similar to 30 mu mol/l). The piezoelectrically induced mechano-catalytic effect thus provides a highly efficient and reusable technology for dye wastewater degradation applications. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.