In this review, we summarize recent progress in piezoelectric effect–coupled photocatalytic systems, an emerging catalytic paradigm that integrates mechanical stimulation with light-driven processes. By converting external mechanical inputs into dynamic internal electric fields, piezoelectric materials effectively regulate charge separation, migration, and interfacial reactions—addressing key limitations of conventional photocatalysis, including rapid electron–hole recombination and low energy utilization. We highlight how this strategy enables efficient catalytic activity under mild conditions and broadens the design space for next‑generation energy conversion and environmental remediation technologies.

Key Insights

• Piezoelectric fields promote efficient charge utilization
  Mechanical deformation of piezoelectric components generates built‑in electric fields that direct photogenerated charge carriers, suppress recombination, and enhance surface redox kinetics.
• Multiple low‑grade energy sources can be exploited
  Beyond ultrasound, piezo–photocatalytic systems can be activated by water flow, airflow, gravity, and natural vibrations, improving practicality and scalability.
• Wide application relevance demonstrated
  Representative advances are reviewed in hydrogen evolution, CO₂ reduction, pollutant degradation, and biomedical antibacterial and regenerative applications, underscoring the interdisciplinary impact of the approach.
• Material and structural design are decisive
  Performance enhancement is enabled through piezoelectric ceramics and polymers, two‑dimensional semiconductors, metal–organic frameworks, and advanced strategies such as defect engineering, heterojunction construction, Janus architectures, and single‑atom modification.
• New coupling mechanisms rationalize diverse observations
  We discuss emerging concepts including piezoelectric potential switching effects, orthogonal charge‑transfer pathways, and piezoelectric‑dominated catalysis assisted by light, offering a unified framework to interpret both enhancement and inhibition phenomena.

Significance of This Work

By coupling mechanical and solar energy at the materials level, piezoelectric–photocatalytic systems provide a flexible, energy‑efficient, and sustainable platform for catalytic reactions. We identify key future directions, including reducing reliance on high‑frequency ultrasound, quantifying mechanical‑to‑chemical energy efficiency, decoupling complex coupling mechanisms, and leveraging artificial intelligence for materials discovery. These advances are expected to accelerate the translation of piezoelectric–photocatalysis from laboratory studies to practical energy and environmental technologies.

Authors & Affiliations

Peng Liu†, Limin Dong†, Zhiping Zhang, Jun Yu, Zheng Li, Zhenghua Qiao, Lige Gong, Shuai Lu, Xinxin Jin*, Feng‑Ming Zhang*

† These authors contributed equally.

Affiliations:

• School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China
• School of Automation, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China

Corresponding Authors:

• Xinxin Jin* (jinxinxin@hrbust.edu.cn)
• Feng‑Ming Zhang* (zhangfm80@163.com)

How to Cite This Article

Liu, P.; Dong, L.; Zhang, Z.; Yu, J.; Li, Z.; Qiao, Z.; Gong, L.; Lu, S.; Jin, X.; Zhang, F.‑M. (2026).
Recent progress of piezoelectric effect–coupled photocatalytic reactions: mechanisms, system design, characterization and applications.
Catal, 2, 11.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s44422‑026‑00025‑x