Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Composite Catalysts to Enhance Contact-Electro-Catalytic Performance of...

The strong hydrophobicity of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) restricts its effective interaction with aqueous media, thereby hindering its contact-electro-catalytic (CEC) performance. Herein, an effective strategy is proposed to enhance CEC efficiency by developing hydrophobic/hydrophilic composites. This approach not only improves hydrophilicity to facilitate solid-liquid contact-electrification (CE) but also leverages solid-solid CE, significantly boosting the CEC activity of PTFE. Notably, the boron nitride (BN)/PTFE composite demonstrates exceptional CEC performance, achieving a hydrogen yield of 15.73 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in pure water, and a nitrogen reduction rate of 17.25 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in water/methanol system, far surpassing previously reported piezocatalysts and piezo-photocatalysts. Experimental and theoretical results jointly reveal significant electron transfer between PTFE and water, as well as PTFE and BN. This work not only opens new avenues for developing high-performance CEC materials but also provides a mechanistic framework for understanding interfacial charge-transfer dynamics in CEC systems.