Pyroelectricity effect on photoactivating palladium nanoparticles in PbTiO3 for Suzuki coupling reaction

Combining microwave radiation with photocatalytic systems is a promising method to inhibit photogenerated electron-hole recombination and enhance the photocatalytic reaction performance. In this study, we have designed Pd/PbTiO3 catalysts that can use both microwave fields and photocatalysis. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of microwave field and UV light, the PbTiO3 crystals convert thermal energy into electrical energy via the pyroelectricity effect, generating positive and negative charges (q(+) and q(-)), while Pd nanoparticles significantly improve the quantum efficiency of the photocatalytic process. The composite catalyst significantly enhances the reaction rate and selectivity of the model Suzuki coupling reaction performed with bromobenzene. Microwave fields can directly act on chemical systems, promoting or changing various chemical reactions in unique ways. (c) 2020, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.