pith. sign in

arxiv: 2605.21302 · v1 · pith:GEZ2W2BQnew · submitted 2026-05-20 · ❄️ cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Ferroelectric KNbO3 nanoplatelets for thermally driven pyrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and dye degradation

Salma Touili , Bouchra Asbani , Youness Hadouch , Mbarek Amjoud , Daoud Mezzane , Nejc Suban , Hana Ursic , Nitul S. Rajput
show 4 more authors
Zdravko Kutnjak Brigita Rozic Mustapha Jouiad Mimoun El Marssi
This is my paper

Pith reviewed 2026-05-21 03:27 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification ❄️ cond-mat.mtrl-sci
keywords KNbO3 nanoplateletspyrocatalysishydrogen evolutionRhodamine B degradationthermal cyclingferroelectric polarizationpyroelectric effect
0
0 comments X

The pith

KNbO3 nanoplatelets convert thermal cycles between 20 and 50 °C into hydrogen at 22.67 μmol g^{-1} per cycle.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

This paper shows that orthorhombic KNbO3 nanoplatelets can drive both hydrogen production from water and degradation of organic dyes using only repeated small temperature changes. Cycling the material between 20 and 50 °C generates surface charges that enable water splitting and oxidation reactions at the interface. The reported results include a total hydrogen yield of 680 μmol per gram after 30 cycles and 84 percent removal of Rhodamine B after 16 cycles. The authors connect these outcomes to the material's inherent spontaneous polarization and pyroelectric response that separates charges for redox chemistry. The work points to a method for using natural daily temperature swings to perform useful chemistry without continuous external energy input.

Core claim

Orthorhombic ferroelectric KNbO3 nanoplatelets enable efficient pyrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and Rhodamine B degradation under thermal cycling between 20 and 50 °C, achieving a hydrogen yield of 680 μmol g^{-1} after 30 cycles at an average rate of 22.67 μmol g^{-1} per cycle and 84 percent RhB removal after 16 cycles with a rate constant of 0.11 cycle^{-1}, driven by strong spontaneous polarization and pyroelectric properties that promote charge generation and interfacial redox reactions.

What carries the argument

The pyroelectric effect arising from the spontaneous polarization in ferroelectric KNbO3 nanoplatelets, which converts temperature fluctuations into surface charges that drive catalytic water splitting and pollutant oxidation.

If this is right

  • Ambient day-night temperature variations can be harvested to accumulate meaningful quantities of hydrogen over repeated cycles.
  • The same nanoplatelets can perform both hydrogen generation and organic pollutant removal in a single thermal cycling process.
  • Nanostructured ferroelectric materials with high polarization can extend pyrocatalysis to low-grade thermal energy sources.
  • The per-cycle rates imply that longer operation would scale total output without additional energy beyond the temperature swings.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • Devices incorporating these nanoplatelets could operate autonomously in environments with natural temperature fluctuations such as outdoor or industrial settings.
  • Other ferroelectric oxides with comparable pyroelectric coefficients may exhibit similar catalytic activity under the same cycling conditions.
  • Testing performance over hundreds of cycles and in real-world fluctuating temperatures would clarify long-term viability beyond the reported short-term results.

Load-bearing premise

The observed hydrogen production and dye degradation rates arise specifically from the spontaneous polarization and pyroelectric properties of the KNbO3 nanoplatelets.

What would settle it

A control test in which non-ferroelectric or non-pyroelectric particles produce comparable hydrogen yields and dye removal rates under identical 20-50 °C cycling, or direct measurements showing absent polarization change during temperature swings, would falsify the proposed mechanism.

read the original abstract

Day- and night-induced thermal cycling offers a promising route for harvesting ambient thermal energy to drive sustainable hydrogen production and pollutant degradation. Pyroelectric materials enable this process by converting temperature fluctuations into surface charges capable of promoting catalytic water splitting and advanced oxidation reactions. In this work, we demonstrate efficient pyrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation using orthorhombic ferroelectric Potassium niobate (KNbO$_3$) nanoplatelets (KN-np). Under thermal cycling between 20 and 50 $^\circ$C, KN-np achieved a hydrogen yield of 680 $\mu$mol g$^{-1}$ after 30 thermal cycles, corresponding to an average hydrogen production rate of 22.67 $\mu$mol g$^{-1}$ per cycle. In addition, KN-np exhibited excellent pyrocatalytic activity toward RhB degradation, reaching 84% removal after only 16 thermal cycles with an apparent kinetic rate constant of 0.11 cycle$^{-1}$. The remarkable catalytic performance is attributed to the strong spontaneous polarization and excellent pyroelectric properties of the KNbO$_3$ nanoplatelets, which promote efficient charge generation and interfacial redox reactions. These findings highlight the potential of KNbO$_3$ nanostructures as efficient pyrocatalysts for clean hydrogen production and environmental remediation.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

2 major / 1 minor

Summary. The manuscript reports the preparation of orthorhombic ferroelectric KNbO3 nanoplatelets and demonstrates their pyrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution and Rhodamine B degradation under repeated thermal cycling between 20 and 50 °C. It claims a hydrogen yield of 680 μmol g^{-1} after 30 cycles (average rate 22.67 μmol g^{-1} cycle^{-1}) and 84 % RhB removal after 16 cycles (apparent rate constant 0.11 cycle^{-1}), attributing both results to the material’s spontaneous polarization and pyroelectric response that generates surface charges for redox reactions.

Significance. If the reported yields are reproducible and the pyroelectric mechanism is experimentally isolated, the work would add a concrete example of ambient thermal-energy harvesting for sustainable H2 production and pollutant remediation. The quantitative cycle-based metrics and the use of a well-characterized ferroelectric perovskite in nanoplatelet morphology constitute the main technical contribution; confirmation would strengthen the case for dark-condition catalysis complementary to photocatalysis.

major comments (2)
  1. [Abstract] Abstract: the headline performance figures (680 μmol g^{-1} H2 after 30 cycles; 84 % RhB removal after 16 cycles) are presented without any indication of replicate number, standard deviation, or baseline subtraction, which directly affects the reliability of the efficiency claims that constitute the central result.
  2. [Abstract] Abstract (and results section): the attribution of activity to “strong spontaneous polarization and excellent pyroelectric properties” is stated without reference to control experiments (non-ferroelectric analog, fixed-temperature runs, or in-situ pyroelectric current measurements under the same 20–50 °C protocol), leaving open the possibility that adsorption/desorption or residual light contribute to the observed gas evolution and dye removal.
minor comments (1)
  1. [Abstract] The abbreviation “KN-np” is introduced in the abstract without an explicit definition on first use.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

2 responses · 1 unresolved

We thank the referee for the constructive comments on our manuscript. We address each major point below and indicate the changes made to strengthen the presentation of our results and the support for the proposed mechanism.

read point-by-point responses

  1. Referee: [Abstract] Abstract: the headline performance figures (680 μmol g^{-1} H2 after 30 cycles; 84 % RhB removal after 16 cycles) are presented without any indication of replicate number, standard deviation, or baseline subtraction, which directly affects the reliability of the efficiency claims that constitute the central result.

    Authors: We agree that statistical details improve the reliability assessment of the central claims. The experiments were performed in triplicate; we have revised the abstract to report the values with replicate number (n=3) and standard deviations, and we have added error bars to the corresponding plots in the results section. Baseline subtraction was performed against catalyst-free thermal cycling controls, and this procedure is now explicitly described in the methods and results. revision: yes

  2. Referee: [Abstract] Abstract (and results section): the attribution of activity to “strong spontaneous polarization and excellent pyroelectric properties” is stated without reference to control experiments (non-ferroelectric analog, fixed-temperature runs, or in-situ pyroelectric current measurements under the same 20–50 °C protocol), leaving open the possibility that adsorption/desorption or residual light contribute to the observed gas evolution and dye removal.

    Authors: We acknowledge the value of explicit controls for isolating the pyroelectric mechanism. The results section already contains fixed-temperature control data showing negligible activity in the absence of cycling; we have added cross-references to these data in the abstract and discussion. Light-exclusion tests and pre-equilibration steps to account for adsorption are described in the experimental section and are now highlighted. We have also added a short discussion of why residual light or simple adsorption cannot explain the observed cycle-dependent rates. In-situ pyroelectric current measurements under the exact cycling protocol were not performed. revision: partial

standing simulated objections not resolved
  • In-situ pyroelectric current measurements under the same 20–50 °C cycling protocol

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity in experimental performance metrics or attribution

full rationale

The paper reports direct experimental measurements of hydrogen yield (680 μmol g^{-1} after 30 cycles) and RhB degradation (84% after 16 cycles) obtained via gas production and spectroscopic assays under controlled thermal cycling between 20–50 °C. These quantities are not derived from any equations, fitted parameters, or predictions that reduce to the inputs by construction. The attribution to spontaneous polarization and pyroelectric properties rests on established bulk characteristics of orthorhombic KNbO3 rather than self-citation chains, uniqueness theorems, or ansatz smuggling. No load-bearing derivations, self-definitional loops, or renamed empirical patterns appear in the provided text or abstract.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

1 free parameters · 1 axioms · 0 invented entities

The central claims rest on experimental performance data plus the standard domain assumption that KNbO3 nanoplatelets exhibit spontaneous polarization sufficient to drive surface redox reactions under temperature change.

free parameters (1)
  • apparent kinetic rate constant = 0.11 cycle^{-1}
    Fitted from the observed RhB concentration decay over cycles to quantify degradation speed.
axioms (1)
  • domain assumption KNbO3 nanoplatelets possess strong spontaneous polarization and pyroelectric response that generates surface charges under thermal cycling.
    Invoked in the abstract to explain the origin of catalytic activity.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5836 in / 1462 out tokens · 49899 ms · 2026-05-21T03:27:15.661349+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.

Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

84 extracted references · 84 canonical work pages

  1. [1]

    A novel model for pyro -electro-catalytic hydrogen production in pure water

    Schlechtweg J, Raufeisen S, Stelter M, Braeutigam P. A novel model for pyro -electro-catalytic hydrogen production in pure water. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019;21:23009 –16. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CP02510C

    work page doi:10.1039/c9cp02510c 2019

  2. [2]

    Water electrolysis based on renewable energy for hydrogen production

    Chi J, Yu H. Water electrolysis based on renewable energy for hydrogen production. Chin J Catal 2018;39:390–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(17)62949-8

    work page doi:10.1016/s1872-2067(17)62949-8 2018

  3. [3]

    Role of Bi3+ ion substitution on the piezocatalytic degradation performance of lead-free BaTi0·89Sn0·11O3 at low vibrational energy,

    Touili S, Ghazi S, Amjoud M, Mezzane D, Uršič H, Kutnjak Z, et al. Role of Bi3+ ion substitution on the piezocatalytic degradation performance of lead-free BaTi0·89Sn0·11O3 at low vibrational energy. Ceram Int 2024;50:29437–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.05.238

    work page doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.05.238 2024

  4. [4]

    An overview of low-carbon hydrogen production via water splitting driven by piezoelectric and pyroelectric catalysis

    Touili S, Amjoud M, Mezzane D, Kutnjak Z, Luk’Yanchuk IA, Jouiad M, et al. An overview of low-carbon hydrogen production via water splitting driven by piezoelectric and pyroelectric catalysis. Int J Hydrog Energy 2024;78:218–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.06.209

    work page doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.06.209 2024

  5. [5]

    Pyroelectric catalysis

    Wang C, Tian N, Ma T, Zhang Y, Huang H. Pyroelectric catalysis. Nano Energy 2020;78:105371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105371

    work page doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105371 2020

  6. [6]

    Pyroelectric Nanogenerators for Harvesting Thermoelectric Energy

    Yang Y, Guo W, Pradel KC, Zhu G, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, et al. Pyroelectric Nanogenerators for Harvesting Thermoelectric Energy. Nano Lett 2012;12:2833 –8. https://doi.org/10.1021/nl3003039

    work page doi:10.1021/nl3003039 2012

  7. [7]

    Enhanced Pyroelectric Catalysis of BaTiO 3 Nanowires for Utilizing Waste Heat in Pollution Treatment

    Wu J, Qin N, Yuan B, Lin E, Bao D. Enhanced Pyroelectric Catalysis of BaTiO 3 Nanowires for Utilizing Waste Heat in Pollution Treatment. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2018;10:37963 –73. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.8b11158

    work page doi:10.1021/acsami.8b11158 2018

  8. [8]

    Wide bandgap tunability in complex transition metal oxides by site -specific substitution

    Choi WS, Chisholm MF, Singh DJ, Choi T, Jellison GE, Lee HN. Wide bandgap tunability in complex transition metal oxides by site -specific substitution. Nat C ommun 2012;3:689. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1690

    work page doi:10.1038/ncomms1690 2012

  9. [9]

    Influence of grain size on the electrocaloric and pyroelectric properties in non- reducible BaTiO3 ceramics

    Patel S, Kumar M. Influence of grain size on the electrocaloric and pyroelectric properties in non- reducible BaTiO3 ceramics. AIP Adv 2020;10:085302. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0017348

    work page doi:10.1063/5.0017348 2020

  10. [10]

    Enhancement of pyroelectric properties of lead -free 0.94Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3 ceramics by La doping

    Balakt A M, Shaw CP, Zhang Q. Enhancement of pyroelectric properties of lead -free 0.94Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3 ceramics by La doping. J Eur Ceram Soc 2017;37:1459 –66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.12.021

    work page doi:10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.12.021 2017

  11. [11]

    Enhanced pyroelectric properties of BNT-xBNN lead -free ferroelectric ceramics for energy harvesting

    Hu L, Zhang G, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Wang H, Liu K, et al. Enhanced pyroelectric properties of BNT-xBNN lead -free ferroelectric ceramics for energy harvesting. J Alloys Compd 2023;948:169621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.169621

    work page doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.169621 2023

  12. [12]

    Single -Crystal Ferroelectric-Based (K,Na)NbO3 Microcuboid/CuO Nanodot Heterostructures with Enhanced Photo –Piezocatalytic Activity

    Im E, Park S, Hwang G -T, Hyun DC, Min Y, Moon GD. Single -Crystal Ferroelectric-Based (K,Na)NbO3 Microcuboid/CuO Nanodot Heterostructures with Enhanced Photo –Piezocatalytic Activity. Small 2024;20:2304360. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202304360

    work page doi:10.1002/smll.202304360 2024

  13. [13]

    Poling effect on the dielectric, pyroelectric and electrical conductivity of ferroelectric ordered –disordered Ba(Ni0.5Nb0.5)O3

    Raibagkar LJ, Bajaj SB. Poling effect on the dielectric, pyroelectric and electrical conductivity of ferroelectric ordered –disordered Ba(Ni0.5Nb0.5)O3. Solid State Ion 1998;108:105 –8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-2738(98)00026-5

    work page doi:10.1016/s0167-2738(98)00026-5 1998

  14. [14]

    Flexible Pyroelectric Nanogenerators using a Composite Structure of Lead -Free KNbO3 Nanowires

    Yang Y, Jung JH, Yun BK, Zhang F, Pradel KC, Guo W, et al. Flexible Pyroelectric Nanogenerators using a Composite Structure of Lead -Free KNbO3 Nanowires. Adv Mater 2012;24:5357–62. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201201414

    work page doi:10.1002/adma.201201414 2012

  15. [15]

    Single Micro/Nanowire Pyroelectric Nanogenerators as Self- Powered Temperature Sensors

    Yang Y, Zhou Y, Wu JM, Wang ZL. Single Micro/Nanowire Pyroelectric Nanogenerators as Self- Powered Temperature Sensors. ACS Nano 2012;6:8456–61. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn303414u

    work page doi:10.1021/nn303414u 2012

  16. [16]

    A self-powered flexible hybrid piezoelectric–pyroelectric nanogenerator based on non -woven nanofiber membranes

    You M-H, Wang X-X, Yan X, Zhang J, Song W -Z, Yu M, et al. A self-powered flexible hybrid piezoelectric–pyroelectric nanogenerator based on non -woven nanofiber membranes. J Mater Chem A 2018;6:3500–9. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7TA10175A

    work page doi:10.1039/c7ta10175a 2018

  17. [17]

    Lead-free KNbO3 ferroelectric nanorod based flexible nanogenerators and capacitors

    Jung JH, Chen C-Y, Yun BK, Lee N, Zhou Y, Jo W, et al. Lead-free KNbO3 ferroelectric nanorod based flexible nanogenerators and capacitors. Nanotechnology 2012;23:375401. https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/23/37/375401

    work page doi:10.1088/0957-4484/23/37/375401 2012

  18. [18]

    Li T, Guo Z, Ruan M, Zou Y, Liu Z. Doping regulating spontaneous polarization and pyroelectric effects to synergistically promote the water splitting efficiency of niobate (KxNa1-xNbO3) pyro- photo-electrical coupling system. Appl Su rf Sci 2022;592:153255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.153255. 22

    work page doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.153255 2022

  19. [19]

    Pyroelectrically Induced Pyro-Electro-Chemical Catalytic Activity of BaTiO3 Nanofibers under Room-Temperature Cold–Hot Cycle Excitations

    Xia Y, Jia Y, Qian W, Xu X, Wu Z, Han Z, et al. Pyroelectrically Induced Pyro-Electro-Chemical Catalytic Activity of BaTiO3 Nanofibers under Room-Temperature Cold–Hot Cycle Excitations. Metals 2017;7:122. https://doi.org/10.3390/met7040122

    work page doi:10.3390/met7040122 2017

  20. [20]

    Piezoelectrically/pyroelectrically-driven vibration/cold-hot energy harvesting for mechano -/pyro- bi-catalytic dye decomposition of NaNbO3 nan ofibers

    You H, Ma X, Wu Z, Fei L, Chen X, Yang J, et al. Piezoelectrically/pyroelectrically-driven vibration/cold-hot energy harvesting for mechano -/pyro- bi-catalytic dye decomposition of NaNbO3 nan ofibers. Nano Energy 2018;52:351 –9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.08.004

    work page doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.08.004 2018

  21. [21]

    Thermo-electrochemical coupling for room temperature thermocatalysis in pyroelectric ZnO nanorods

    Qian W, Wu Z, Jia Y, Hong Y, Xu X, You H, et al. Thermo-electrochemical coupling for room temperature thermocatalysis in pyroelectric ZnO nanorods. Electrochem Commun 2017;81:124–

    work page 2017

  22. [22]

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2017.06.017

    work page doi:10.1016/j.elecom.2017.06.017 2017

  23. [23]

    Pyroelectrocatalytic Disinfection Using the Pyroelectric Effect of Nano - and Microcrystalline LiNbO 3 and LiTaO 3 Particles

    Gutmann E, Benke A, Gerth K, Böttcher H, Mehner E, Klein C, et al. Pyroelectrocatalytic Disinfection Using the Pyroelectric Effect of Nano - and Microcrystalline LiNbO 3 and LiTaO 3 Particles. J Phys Chem C 2012;116:5383–93. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp210686m

    work page doi:10.1021/jp210686m 2012

  24. [24]

    Pyro-catalytic hydrogen evolution by Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 nanoparticles: harvesting cold –hot alternation energy near room-temperature

    Xu X, Xiao L, Jia Y, Wu Z, Wang F, Wang Y, et al. Pyro-catalytic hydrogen evolution by Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 nanoparticles: harvesting cold –hot alternation energy near room-temperature. Energy Environ Sci 2018;11:2198–207. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EE01016A

    work page doi:10.1039/c8ee01016a 2018

  25. [25]

    Room -temperature pyro-catalytic hydrogen generation of 2D few -layer black phosphorene under cold -hot alternation

    You H, Jia Y, Wu Z, Wang F, Huang H, Wang Y. Room -temperature pyro-catalytic hydrogen generation of 2D few -layer black phosphorene under cold -hot alternation. N at Commun 2018;9:2889. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05343-w

    work page doi:10.1038/s41467-018-05343-w 2018

  26. [26]

    Waste Heat Energy Harvesting by use of BaTiO3 for Pyroelectric Hydrogen Generation

    Belitz R, Meisner P, Coeler M, Wunderwald U, Friedrich J, Zosel J, et al. Waste Heat Energy Harvesting by use of BaTiO3 for Pyroelectric Hydrogen Generation. Energy Harvest Syst 2017;4:107–13. https://doi.org/10.1515/ehs-2016-0009

    work page doi:10.1515/ehs-2016-0009 2017

  27. [27]

    Ferroelectric oxide surface chemistry: water splitting via pyroelectricity

    Kakekhani A, Ismail -Beigi S. Ferroelectric oxide surface chemistry: water splitting via pyroelectricity. J Mater Chem A 2016;4:5235–46. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6TA00513F

    work page doi:10.1039/c6ta00513f 2016

  28. [28]

    Pyroelectric effect in CdS nanorods decorated with a molecular Co -catalyst for hydrogen evolution

    Zhang M, Hu Q, Ma K, Ding Y, Li C. Pyroelectric effect in CdS nanorods decorated with a molecular Co -catalyst for hydrogen evolution. Nano Energy 2020;73:104810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.104810

    work page doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.104810 2020

  29. [29]

    Pyro -electrolytic water splitting for hydrogen generation

    Zhang Y, Kumar S, Marken F, Krasny M, Roake E, Eslava S, et al. Pyro -electrolytic water splitting for hydrogen generation. Nano Energy 2019;58:183 –91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.01.030

    work page doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.01.030 2019

  30. [30]

    Pyroelectric hydrogen production performance of silicon carbide

    Sun S, Song L, Zhang S, Sun H, Wei J. Pyroelectric hydrogen production performance of silicon carbide. Ceram Int 2021;47:20486–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.04.058

    work page doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.04.058 2021

  31. [31]

    Performance and mechanism of hydrogen evolution from room- temperature thermal catalytic water splitting by α -phase Si3N4

    Song L, Sun S, Zhang S, Wei J. Performance and mechanism of hydrogen evolution from room- temperature thermal catalytic water splitting by α -phase Si3N4. Fuel 2022;324:124576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124576

    work page doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124576 2022

  32. [32]

    Preparation and Characterization of KNbO3 Ceramics

    Birol H, Damjanovic D, Setter N. Preparation and Characterization of KNbO3 Ceramics. J Am Ceram Soc 2005;88:1754–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2005.00347.x

    work page doi:10.1111/j.1551-2916.2005.00347.x 2005

  33. [33]

    Chemical stabilit y of KNbO3, NaNbO3, and K0.5Na0.5NbO3 in aqueous medium

    Ozmen O, Ozsoy -Keskinbora C, Suvaci E. Chemical stabilit y of KNbO3, NaNbO3, and K0.5Na0.5NbO3 in aqueous medium. J Am Ceram Soc 2018;101:1074 –86. https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.15291

    work page doi:10.1111/jace.15291 2018

  34. [34]

    C-Doped KNbO3 single crystals for enhanced piezocatalytic intermediate wate r splitting

    He J, Gao F, Wang H, Liu F, Lin J, Wang B, et al. C-Doped KNbO3 single crystals for enhanced piezocatalytic intermediate wate r splitting. Environ Sci Nano 2022;9:1952 –60. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00244B

    work page doi:10.1039/d2en00244b 2022

  35. [35]

    2D/2D KNbO3/MoS2 heterojunctions for piezocatalysis: Insights into interfacial electric -fields and reactive oxygen species

    Luo H, Liu Z, Ma C, Zhang A, Zhang Q, Wang F. 2D/2D KNbO3/MoS2 heterojunctions for piezocatalysis: Insights into interfacial electric -fields and reactive oxygen species. J Environ Chem Eng 2023;11:111521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.111521

    work page doi:10.1016/j.jece.2023.111521 2023

  36. [36]

    Enhanced catalytic performance by multi-field coupling in KNbO3 nanostructures: Piezo-photocatalytic and ferro-photoelectrochemical effects

    Yu D, Liu Z, Zhang J, Li S, Zhao Z, Zhu L, et al. Enhanced catalytic performance by multi-field coupling in KNbO3 nanostructures: Piezo-photocatalytic and ferro-photoelectrochemical effects. Nano Energy 2019;58:695–705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.01.095

    work page doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.01.095 2019

  37. [37]

    (Sr0.6Bi0.305)2Bi2O7/KNbO3 nanocomposites with significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 generation driven by simulated sunlight

    Liu Y, Hu C, Huang C, Wang D, Zhong Y, Tang C. (Sr0.6Bi0.305)2Bi2O7/KNbO3 nanocomposites with significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 generation driven by simulated sunlight. Int J Hydrog Energy 2024;66:362–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.04.120

    work page doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.04.120 2024

  38. [38]

    Preparation of In2S3 nanosheets decorated KNbO3 nanocubes composite photocatalysts with significantly enhanced activity under visible light irradiation

    Xu J, Liu C, Niu J, Chen M. Preparation of In2S3 nanosheets decorated KNbO3 nanocubes composite photocatalysts with significantly enhanced activity under visible light irradiation. Sep Purif Technol 2020;230:115861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.115861. 23

    work page doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2019.115861 2020

  39. [39]

    Kržmanc, B

    Kržmanc MM, Jančar B, Uršič H, Tramšek M, Suvorov D. Tailoring the Shape, Size, Crystal Structure, and Preferential Growth Orientation o f BaTiO3 Plates Synthesized through a Topochemical Conversion Process. Cryst Growth Des 2017;17:3210 –20. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.cgd.7b00164

    work page doi:10.1021/acs.cgd.7b00164 2017

  40. [40]

    Investigation of piezoelectric 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 –0.35PbTiO3 films in cross section us ing piezo -response force microscopy

    Ursic H, Sadl M. Investigation of piezoelectric 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 –0.35PbTiO3 films in cross section us ing piezo -response force microscopy. Appl Phys Lett 2022;121:192905. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0104829

    work page doi:10.1063/5.0104829 2022

  41. [41]

    Uršič, U

    Uršič H, Prah U. Investigations of ferroelectric polycrystalline bulks and thick films using piezoresponse force microscopy. Proc R Soc Math Phys E ng Sci 2019;475:20180782. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2018.0782

    work page doi:10.1098/rspa.2018.0782 2019

  42. [42]

    Benyoussef, S

    Benyoussef M, Saitzek S, S. Rajput N, Marssi ME, Jouiad M. Effect of Sr and Ti substitutions on optical and photocatalytic properties of Bi 1−x Sr x Fe 1−x Ti x O 3 nanomaterials. Nanos cale Adv 2023;5:869–78. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NA00755J

    work page doi:10.1039/d2na00755j 2023

  43. [43]

    Ghazi, B

    Ghazi S, Rhouta B, Tendero C, Maury F. Synthesis, characterization and properties of sulfate - modified silver carbonate with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance. RSC Adv 2023;13:23076–86. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RA03120A

    work page doi:10.1039/d3ra03120a 2023

  44. [44]

    High piezo/photocatalytic efficiency of Ag/Bi5O7I nanocomposite using mechanical and solar energy for N2 fixation and methyl orange degradation

    Chen L, Zhang W, Wang J, Li X, Li Y, Hu X, et al. High piezo/photocatalytic efficiency of Ag/Bi5O7I nanocomposite using mechanical and solar energy for N2 fixation and methyl orange degradation. Green Energy Environ 2023;8:283–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gee.2021.04.009

    work page doi:10.1016/j.gee.2021.04.009 2023

  45. [45]

    Design of direct Z -scheme superb magnetic nanocomposite photocatalyst Fe3O4/Ag3PO4@Sep for hazardous dye degradation

    Haounati R, El Guerdaoui A, Ouachtak H, El Haouti R, Bouddouch A, Hafid N, et al. Design of direct Z -scheme superb magnetic nanocomposite photocatalyst Fe3O4/Ag3PO4@Sep for hazardous dye degradation. Sep Purif Technol 2021;277:119399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119399

    work page doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119399 2021

  46. [46]

    Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation on cubic, orthorhombic, and tetragonal KNbO 3 microcubes

    Zhang T, Zhao K, Yu J, Jin J, Qi Y, Li H, et al. Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation on cubic, orthorhombic, and tetragonal KNbO 3 microcubes. Nanoscale 2013;5:8375–

    work page 2013

  47. [47]

    https://doi.org/10.1039/C3NR02356G

    work page doi:10.1039/c3nr02356g

  48. [48]

    Preparation of KNbO3 by hydrothermal reaction

    Kumada N, Kyoda T, Yonesaki Y, Takei T, Kinomura N. Preparation of KNbO3 by hydrothermal reaction. Mater Res Bull 2007;42:1856–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2006.11.045

    work page doi:10.1016/j.materresbull.2006.11.045 2007

  49. [49]

    Perovskite KNbO3 nanostructure for high - response photoelectrochemical ultraviolet detector

    Zhou L, Bai Z, Wang G, Li J, Jin M, Zhang X, et al. Perovskite KNbO3 nanostructure for high - response photoelectrochemical ultraviolet detector. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 2023;34:2259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-11699-7

    work page doi:10.1007/s10854-023-11699-7 2023

  50. [50]

    Raman spectra of niobium oxides

    McConnell AA, Aderson JS, Rao CNR. Raman spectra of niobium oxides. Spectrochim Acta Part Mol Spectrosc 1976;32:1067–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/0584-8539(76)80291-7

    work page doi:10.1016/0584-8539(76)80291-7 1976

  51. [51]

    Synthesis, growth mechanism and optical properties of (K,Na)NbO 3 nanostructures

    Wang Z, Gu H, Hu Y, Yang K, Hu M, Zhou D, et al. Synthesis, growth mechanism and optical properties of (K,Na)NbO 3 nanostructures. CrystEngComm 2010;12:3157 –62. https://doi.org/10.1039/C000169D

    work page doi:10.1039/c000169d 2010

  52. [52]

    Pressure -induced successive phase transitions and Fano resonance engineering in lead -free piezoceramics KNbO3

    Qi W, Xie C, Hushur A, Kojima S. Pressure -induced successive phase transitions and Fano resonance engineering in lead -free piezoceramics KNbO3. Appl Phys Lett 2023;122:232901. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0143105

    work page doi:10.1063/5.0143105 2023

  53. [53]

    Raman study of phase transitions in KNbO3

    Baier-Saip JA, Ramos-Moor E, Cabrera AL. Raman study of phase transitions in KNbO3. Solid State Commun 2005;135:367–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssc.2005.05.021

    work page doi:10.1016/j.ssc.2005.05.021 2005

  54. [54]

    A study on the photocatalytic degradation performance of a [KNbO 3 ] 0.9 -[BaNi 0.5 Nb 0.5 O 3−δ ] 0.1 perovskite

    Zhang D, Lv S, Luo Z. A study on the photocatalytic degradation performance of a [KNbO 3 ] 0.9 -[BaNi 0.5 Nb 0.5 O 3−δ ] 0.1 perovskite. RSC Adv 2020;10:1275 –80. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA07310H

    work page doi:10.1039/c9ra07310h 2020

  55. [55]

    Enhanced visible -light absorption and room-temperature ferromagnetism of [KNbO3]1-x[BaFe1/2Nb1/2O3-δ]x solid solutions

    Wu P, Pan J, Chen X. Enhanced visible -light absorption and room-temperature ferromagnetism of [KNbO3]1-x[BaFe1/2Nb1/2O3-δ]x solid solutions. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 2022;33:690–

    work page 2022

  56. [56]

    https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-07337-9

    work page doi:10.1007/s10854-021-07337-9

  57. [57]

    Room temperature ferromagnetic behavior, linear and nonlinear optical properties of KNbO3 microrods

    Raja S, Ramesh Babu R, Ramamurthi K, Moorthy Babu S. Room temperature ferromagnetic behavior, linear and nonlinear optical properties of KNbO3 microrods. Ceram Int 2018;44:3297–

    work page 2018

  58. [58]

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.11.104

    work page doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.11.104 2017

  59. [59]

    Light-induced pyroelectric effect as an effective approach for ultrafast ultraviolet nanosensing

    Wang Z, Yu R, Pan C, Li Z, Yang J, Yi F, et al. Light-induced pyroelectric effect as an effective approach for ultrafast ultraviolet nanosensing. Nat Commun 2015;6:8401. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms9401. 24

    work page doi:10.1038/ncomms9401 2015

  60. [60]

    Insights into the structure–photoreactivity relationships in well-defined perovskite ferroelectric KNbO3 nanowires

    Zhang T, Lei W, Liu P, Rodriguez JA, Yu J, Qi Y, et al. Insights into the structure–photoreactivity relationships in well-defined perovskite ferroelectric KNbO3 nanowires. Chem Sci 2015;6:4118–

    work page 2015

  61. [61]

    https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC00766F

    work page doi:10.1039/c5sc00766f

  62. [62]

    Polarization -specific adsorption of organic molecules on ferroelectric LiNbO3 surfaces

    Zhang Z, Sharma P, Borca CN, Dowben PA, Gruverman A. Polarization -specific adsorption of organic molecules on ferroelectric LiNbO3 surfaces. Appl Phys Lett 2010;97. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3525373

    work page doi:10.1063/1.3525373 2010

  63. [63]

    Screening Phenomena on Oxide Surfaces and Its Implications for Local Electrostatic and Transport Measurements

    Kalinin SV, Bonnell DA. Screening Phenomena on Oxide Surfaces and Its Implications for Local Electrostatic and Transport Measurements. Nano Lett 2004;4:555 –60. https://doi.org/10.1021/nl0350837

    work page doi:10.1021/nl0350837 2004

  64. [64]

    Novel strategy for efficient water splitting through pyro-electric and pyro -photo-electric catalysis of BaTiO3 by using thermal resource and solar energy

    Zhang S, Chen D, Liu Z, Ruan M, Gu o Z. Novel strategy for efficient water splitting through pyro-electric and pyro -photo-electric catalysis of BaTiO3 by using thermal resource and solar energy. Appl Catal B Environ 2021;284:119686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119686

    work page doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119686 2021

  65. [65]

    Promising pyro -photo-electric catalysis in NaNbO3 via integrating solar and cold -hot alternation energy in pyroelectric -assisted photoelectrochemical system

    Zhang S, Zhang B, Chen D, Guo Z, Ruan M, Liu Z. Promising pyro -photo-electric catalysis in NaNbO3 via integrating solar and cold -hot alternation energy in pyroelectric -assisted photoelectrochemical system. Nano Energy 2021;79:105485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105485

    work page doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105485 2021

  66. [66]

    Plasmonic Ag nanoparticles decorated NaNbO3 nanorods for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

    Kumar D, Singh S, Khare N. Plasmonic Ag nanoparticles decorated NaNbO3 nanorods for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting. Int J Hydrog Energy 2018;43:8198 –205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.03.075

    work page doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.03.075 2018

  67. [67]

    Synergistic Mechanism of 0D Internal and Surface Defects Regulation Coupled with Pyroelectric Effects for Optimizing the Photoelectrocatalytic Properties of CdS

    Chen X, Liu Z, Ruan M, Wang C, Guo Z. Synergistic Mechanism of 0D Internal and Surface Defects Regulation Coupled with Pyroelectric Effects for Optimizing the Photoelectrocatalytic Properties of CdS. ChemCatChem 2024;16:e202301030. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202301030

    work page doi:10.1002/cctc.202301030 2024

  68. [68]

    Li T, Liu Z, Meng Y. Two -dimensional ultra -thin nanosheets optimize the surface reaction dynamics and photo/pyro -generated carrier transfer of NaNbO3 for an efficient pyro -photo- electric catalytic system. Sustain Energy Fuels 2022;6:4227 –39. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SE00804A

    work page doi:10.1039/d2se00804a 2022

  69. [69]

    Embedding Metal in the Interface of a p -n Heterojunction with a Stack Design for Superior Z -Scheme Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

    Yin W, Bai L, Zhu Y, Zhong S, Zhao L, Li Z, et al. Embedding Metal in the Interface of a p -n Heterojunction with a Stack Design for Superior Z -Scheme Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2016;8:23133–42. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.6b07754

    work page doi:10.1021/acsami.6b07754 2016

  70. [70]

    Piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of intrinsic GaN nanowires and nanotubes: Size and shape effects

    Jiang H, Su Y, Zhu J, Lu H, Meng X. Piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of intrinsic GaN nanowires and nanotubes: Size and shape effects. Nano Energy 2018;45:359 –67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.01.010

    work page doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.01.010 2018

  71. [71]

    https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3474964

    Scopus preview - Scopus - Document details - Pyroelectric response of ferroelectric nanowires: Size effect and electric energy harvesting n.d. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3474964

    work page doi:10.1063/1.3474964

  72. [72]

    Highly efficient pyrocatalysis of pyroelectric NaNbO3 shape-controllable nanoparticles for room -temperature dye decomposition

    You H, Wu Z, Wang L, Jia Y, Li S, Zou J. Highly efficient pyrocatalysis of pyroelectric NaNbO3 shape-controllable nanoparticles for room -temperature dye decomposition. Chemosphere 2018;199:531–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.059

    work page doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.059 2018

  73. [73]

    Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties of KNbO3 Ceramics Containing Small Amounts of LaFeO3

    Kakimoto K, Masuda I, Ohsato H. Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties of KNbO3 Ceramics Containing Small Amounts of LaFeO3. Jpn J Appl Phys 2003;42:6102. https://doi.org/10.1143/JJAP.42.6102

    work page doi:10.1143/jjap.42.6102 2003

  74. [74]

    Sinterability and Piezoelectric Properties of KNbO3 Ceramics after Substitut ing Pb and Na for K

    Tashiro S, Nagamatsu H, Nagata K. Sinterability and Piezoelectric Properties of KNbO3 Ceramics after Substitut ing Pb and Na for K. Jpn J Appl Phys 2002;41:7113. https://doi.org/10.1143/JJAP.41.7113

    work page doi:10.1143/jjap.41.7113 2002

  75. [75]

    NaNbO 3 Nanorods: Photopiezocatalysts for Elevated Bacterial Disinfection and Wastewater Treatment,

    Sharma A, Bhardwaj U, Jain D, Kushwaha HS. NaNbO3 Nanorods: Photopiezocatalysts for Elevated Bacterial Disinfection and Wastewater Treatment. ACS Omega 2022;7:759 5–605. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c06109

    work page doi:10.1021/acsomega.1c06109 2022

  76. [76]

    Enhanced Photocatalytic Water Splitting Properties of KNbO3 Nanowires Synthesized through Hydrothermal Method

    Ding Q-P, Yuan Y-P, Xiong X, Li R-P, Huang H-B, Li Z-S, et al. Enhanced Photocatalytic Water Splitting Properties of KNbO3 Nanowires Synthesized through Hydrothermal Method. J Phys Chem C 2008;112:18846–8. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp8042768

    work page doi:10.1021/jp8042768 2008

  77. [77]

    Harvesting the Vibration Energy of BiFeO3 Nanosheets for Hydrogen Evolution

    You H, Wu Z, Zhang L, Ying Y, Liu Y, Fei L, et al. Harvesting the Vibration Energy of BiFeO3 Nanosheets for Hydrogen Evolution. Angew Chem 2019;131:11905 –10. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.201906181

    work page doi:10.1002/ange.201906181 2019

  78. [78]

    Role of Methanol Sacrificing Reagent in the Photocatalytic Evolution of Hydrogen

    Guzman F, Chuang SSC, Yang C. Role of Methanol Sacrificing Reagent in the Photocatalytic Evolution of Hydrogen. Ind Eng Chem Res 2013;52:61–5. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie301177s. 25

    work page doi:10.1021/ie301177s 2013

  79. [79]

    High pyrocatalytic properties of pyroelectric BaTiO3 nanofibers loaded by noble metal under room -temperature thermal cycling

    Ma J, Wu Z, Luo W, Zheng Y, Jia Y, Wang L, et al. High pyrocatalytic properties of pyroelectric BaTiO3 nanofibers loaded by noble metal under room -temperature thermal cycling. Ceram Int 2018;44:21835–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.08.290

    work page doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.08.290 2018

  80. [80]

    Dye wastewater treatment driven by cyclically heating/ cooling the poled (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 pyroelectric crystal catalyst

    Ma J, Jia Y, Chen L, Zheng Y, Wu Z, Luo W, et al. Dye wastewater treatment driven by cyclically heating/ cooling the poled (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 pyroelectric crystal catalyst. J Clean Prod 2020;276:124218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124218

    work page doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124218 2020

Showing first 80 references.