Early View e202510596
Research Article

Synergistic Light-Ultrasound-Driven Hydrogen Production by Hydrogen Iodide Decomposition Over Dual-Molecular Ferroelectric Heterostructure

Zi Ning Zhou

Zi Ning Zhou

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189 P.R. China

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Qing Dian Chong

Qing Dian Chong

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189 P.R. China

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Ya Wen Yang

Ya Wen Yang

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189 P.R. China

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Zong Wei Hu

Zong Wei Hu

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189 P.R. China

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Wei Ren

Wei Ren

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189 P.R. China

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Prof. Sheng Sen Zhang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Sheng Sen Zhang

Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510643 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Prof. Qiong Ye

Corresponding Author

Prof. Qiong Ye

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Science and Applications of Molecular Ferroelectrics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 25 July 2025

Graphical Abstract

A dual molecular ferroelectric heterojunction [(4,4-DFPD)2PbI4/(4,4-DFCHA)2PbI4], synthesized via a simple one-pot method, achieves a high H₂ evolution rate of 5.26 mmol·g−1·h−1 under light and ultrasound, significantly outperforming its individual components. Polarization-coupled energy-level alignment and Pb-I bond-driven charge transfer enhance directional carrier migration and suppress recombination.

Abstract

Emerging catalytic systems for hydrogen production via solar and mechanical energy conversion often face critical challenges, including band mismatch, interfacial charge recombination, and insufficient charge migration driving forces. To address core issues of low carrier separation efficiency and poor multi-field coupling in molecular ferroelectrics, this study proposes a molecular engineering strategy of dual molecular ferroelectric heterojunctions. We report a facile one-pot solution synthesis of a molecular ferroelectric heterojunction composed of 4,4-difluoropiperidinium lead iodide and 4,4-difluorocyclohexylamine lead iodide ((4,4-DFPD)2PbI4/(4,4-DFCHA)2PbI4), tailored for hydrogen iodide (HI) decomposition under simultaneous light -ultrasonic activation. Under dual-field excitation, the heterojunction achieves a remarkable hydrogen evolution rate of 5.26 mmol g−1 h−1, outperforming its individual constituents ((4,4-DFPD)2PbI4 and (4,4-DFCHA)2PbI4) by factors of 4.5 and 2.4, respectively. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) confirms efficient charge separation at the heterointerface, facilitated by energy-level alignment and polarization coupling. Both experimental and theoretical investigations attribute the enhanced performance to suppressed charge recombination and the synergistic action of ferroelectric and piezoelectric fields, jointly promoting directional charge migration. This work not only introduces a viable molecular ferroelectric strategy for designing high-efficiency piezo-photocatalytic systems but underscores the critical role of interfacial charge dynamics in catalytic optimization, offering theoretical insights and practical guidelines for next-generation solar-driven catalysts.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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