Defect Engineered Microcrystalline Cellulose for Enhanced Cocatalyst-Free Piezo-Catalytic H₂ Production

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Mechanical energy conversion to hydrogen fuel is crucial for energy sustainability.
• Piezocatalytic performance is hindered by inefficient charge separation and transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance piezocatalytic hydrogen production using defect engineering in microcrystalline cellulose (MCC).

Main Methods:

• Defect engineering was applied to MCC to optimize its structure and properties.
• Piezocatalytic hydrogen production was measured under ultrasonic vibration.
• Performance was evaluated in deionized water and natural seawater.

Main Results:

• Optimized defect concentration in MCC increased hydrogen production by ~3.74 times (84.47 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹).
• Defect engineering improved electrical conductivity and charge transfer efficiency.
• High hydrogen production rates were maintained in natural seawater (93.61 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹).

Conclusions:

• Defect engineering is a viable strategy for designing high-performance biomass piezocatalysts.
• This approach efficiently converts mechanical energy into chemical energy (hydrogen).
• The developed material shows practical application potential in seawater.