Insights into the dual Z-scheme and piezoelectricity co-driven photocatalyst for ultra-speed degradation of nitenpyram

[Display omitted] •Improved activity by synergy of Z-scheme and piezoelectricity was firstly proposed.•The promotion mechanism of piezoelectricity on dual Z-scheme is explained.•The prepared material has strong anti-interference ability.•The degradation path of nitenpyram is explained in detail.•The toxicity of NTP’s intermediate products was also analyzed. A highly active catalyst AgI/Ag3PO4/BaTiO3 with the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and piezoelectricity was prepared, which can remove 100 % of Nitenpyram (NTP) in a wide pH range within 10 min. This piezo-photocatalyst AgI/Ag3PO4/BaTiO3 with dual Z-scheme shows a higher NTP degradation rate than their mono-material and binary composites. The apparent rate constant of AgI/Ag3PO4/BaTiO3 in NTP removal is 2.12 times higher than the second-performing catalyst. In the quenching experiment, h+ and ·O2– were observed to be the main active substance in NTP degradation and the former contributes the most. The dual Z-scheme mechanism and the built-in electric field are both beneficial for the separation of electron-hole pairs, as well as the extension of the photo-generated carrier lifetime. At last, the effect factor experiments proved that the prepared AgI/Ag3PO4/BaTiO3 catalyst owns stable and efficient activity. This work provides novel guidance for the construction of highly efficient and stable piezo-photocatalytic heterojunction catalysts.