Piezocatalytic in situ production and utilization of hydrogen peroxide.

Piezocatalysis offers a route to convert mechanical energy into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), potentially reducing the transport, storage and dosing of concentrated oxidants. However, the field remains dominated by material-centred demonstrations and reported production rates, while the functional contribution of piezogenerated H2O2 to downstream reactions remains insufficiently resolved. In this perspective, we examine piezocatalytic H2O2 production and in situ utilization as a coupled catalytic process. We critically discuss the mechanism and reaction pathways of piezocatalytic H2O2 production and the roles of the material and its modification strategies in regulating H2O2 production. We further evaluate the evidence supporting the involvement of in situ piezogenerated H2O2 in disinfection, water decontamination and medical applications and consider selective synthesis as an emerging opportunity. We believe that future progress requires force-matched controls, operando identification of reactive intermediates, standardized mechanical energy input, and reactor designs that couple continuous H2O2 generation with consumption. Addressing these priorities should advance piezocatalytic in situ H2O2 production from concept production towards practically relevant on-demand oxidation systems.