Performance and mechanism on hydrogen evolution of two-dimensional boron nitride under mechanical vibration

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a graphite-like two-dimensional material with a piezoelectric nanostructure and thus is extensively applied. In this study, piezoelectric catalytic hydrogen production by h-BN was realized at the H-2 yield of 824.281 mu mol/g/h. After 5 repeated experiments, the H-2 yield did not drop significantly, indicating 2D h-BN has high piezoelectric catalytic ability and stability. Since h-BN can directly convert mechanical energy into chemical energy, deformation after machinery vibration will induce the formation of surface positive charge q(+) and negative charge q(-). The negative charge concentrates on the conduction band and binds with hydrogen ion to form hydrogen gas that can escape. It displays the huge potential of two-dimensional piezo-electric materials in relieving energy pressure.