Piezoelectric materials for oil spill response: Opportunities and challenges

Oil spills represent a global concern with devastating consequences, impacting human health, marine ecosystems, and economies worldwide. Piezoelectric materials—substances that generate electricity in response to mechanical stress (e.g., waves, tides, or fluid dynamics)—offer unique advantages for addressing coastal oil spills. In this perspective, we explore the opportunities and challenges of applying piezoelectric materials in oil spill countermeasures. We first introduce multiple advantages of piezoelectric materials and piezocatalysis over conventional catalysis processes. From an energy-saving standpoint, we rationalize the necessity of deploying piezoelectric materials as a promising solution for oil spill mitigation, emphasizing their ability to harness renewable ocean energy. Through an examination of previous research, we summarize recent advancements in piezoelectric materials in surface washing, membrane separation, and hydrogel coating. By compiling numerous research findings, we identify critical bottleneck challenges in advancing piezoelectric material design and performance—such as saltwater-induced charge neutralization, structure optimization, and material durability—and propose corresponding solutions to enhance their practical utility. We hope this perspective provides valuable insights for developing cutting-edge piezoelectric materials tailored to effective, sustainable oil spill response strategies.