Recent advances of BiFeO3-based catalysts based on the piezoelectric built-in electric field

Applying mechanical stress to a material with piezoelectric characteristics can generate a piezo-potential, which manifests as a substantial built-in electric field. This piezoelectric built-in electric field has been demonstrated to serve as a potent means for altering the energy of charges or facilitating the movement of both electrons and holes. BiFeO3 (BFO) have garnered significant interest as a class of layered nanomaterials, and is appealing in various applications primarily due to their exceptional properties, such as abundance, photoelectric property, biosafety, photocatalysis and photothermal conversion. Here, a brief review of BFO-based nanomaterials based on recent research progress is provided, mainly covering photocatalytic performance and it in biological area. In this review, we systematically summarized the advances of its surface characteristics, including facet engineering, doping, morphology control, vacancy engineering, facet engineering, heterojunction, and others, which are well-suited for applications in photocatalysis, antibacterial treatments, photodynamic therapy, and other applications. Challenges stem from the complex interactions between BFO-based nanomaterials, light, and biological systems are discussed, such as light absorption range, charge carrier dynamics, ROS generation control, stability, durability, and photocatalytic pathways. This review provides insights into how nanomaterial design, surface engineering, and careful optimization can lead to the development of efficient and biocompatible photocatalysts with broad potential in different fields.