ZIF-8-derived Zn, N-codoped porous carbon as a high-performance piezocatalyst for organic pollutant degradation and hydrogen production.

[Display omitted] The development of highly efficient piezocatalysts has attracted widespread attention for energy conversion and pollution abatement. This paper reports for the first time exceptional piezocatalytic properties of a Zn- and N -codoped porous carbon piezocatalyst (Zn-N x -C) derived from the zeolitic imidazolium framework-8 (ZIF-8) for both hydrogen production and degradation of organic dyes. The Zn-N x -C catalyst has a high specific surface area of 810.6 m2/g and retains the dodecahedron structure of ZIF-8. Under ultrasonic vibration, the hydrogen production rate of Zn-N x -C has achieved 6.29 mmol/g/h, surpassing most recently reported piezocatalysts. Additionally, the Zn-N x -C catalyst demonstrates a 94% degradation efficiency for organic rhodamine B (RhB) dye during 180 min of ultrasonic vibration. This work sheds new light on the potential of ZIF-based materials in the field of piezocatalysis and provides a promising avenue for future developments in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]