@article{Liu2026, 
author = {Chengdong Liu and Wei-Hui Fang and Jian Zhang},
title = {Breaking symmetry constraints: High-performance piezo-photocatalytic activity in centrosymmetric crystals},
year = {2026},
journal = {Polyoxometalates},
volume = {5},
number = {2},
pages = {9140127},
keywords = {clusters, centrosymmetric crystal, piezoelectricity, piezo-photocatalytic},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/POM.2026.9140127},
doi = {10.26599/POM.2026.9140127},
abstract = {While traditional piezoelectric materials rely on noncentrosymmetric crystal structures, recent research by Professor Yi-Feng Wang’s team, published in Science Advances, demonstrates that centrosymmetric titanium–oxo cluster crystals (Ti26Pb10) can achieve a notable piezoelectric response and efficient piezo-photocatalytic performance through molecular-scale local symmetry breaking. We provide an in-depth analysis of how this work redefines the origin of piezoelectricity as arising from local symmetry breaking at the molecular scale and outline a future pathway that integrates single-molecule functionality with inherent catalytic strength. This highlight also underscores the unique advantages of well-defined cluster systems over extended framework materials and aims to inspire further exploration of multifunctional cluster materials for next-generation energy conversion and catalytic platforms.}
}