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All Clean Energy & Battery Intelligence (Page 6)

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Breaking the Conductivity–Selectivity Trade-off in Nafion via Synergistic Molecular Modification for High-Performance Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Graphical AbstractVerified

SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Breaking the Conductivity–Selectivity Trade-off in Nafion via Synergistic Molecular Modification for High-Performance Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Developing ion exchange membranes with both high proton conductivity and high selectivity is crucial for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). Commercial Nafion membranes suffer from severe vanadium crossover, while conventional additives often aggregate, disrupting ion domains and significantly reducing proton conductivity. To overcome this conductivity–selectivity trade-off, we propose a modification strategy based on molecular-level functional strategy. Two complementary additives, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and a fluoroalkyl-grafted polyoxometalate cluster (8FSiW11), are introduced into Nafion matrix to achieve precise, cooperative, regulation of ionic domains. PVP fills ion domains via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, constructing an efficient barrier against vanadium ions. Simultaneously, 8FSiW11 anchors at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface, providing additional proton sources and hopping sites to compensate for proton neutralization by PVP. The resulting hybrid membrane exhibits a proton/vanadium selectivity of 1×10^6 S min cm^-3, 8.6 times higher than commercial Nafion 212 (NR212), and enables VRFB energy efficiencies (EE) of 88.9% at 100 mA cm^-2 and 83.2% at 200 mA cm^-2. This work demonstrates the potential of synergistic molecular modification strategy to break conductivity–selectivity trade-off in membrane design for next-generation high-performance VRFBs.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4261-2

Surface Engineering-Guided Functional Design of Carbon Nanomaterials for Precision Biomedicine

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Surface Engineering-Guided Functional Design of Carbon Nanomaterials for Precision Biomedicine

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), including carbon nanotubes, graphene, and fullerenes, exhibit exceptional promise in precision biomedicine due to their tunable biocompatibility, programmable surface chemistry, large specific surface area, and quantum confinement effects. However, their clinical translation is hindered by aggregation, poor physiological dispersibility, and limited targeting specificity. This review systematically elaborates on surface engineering strategies—covalent functionalization, non-covalent assembly, and heteroatom doping—to optimize the multifunctionality, biocompatibility, and targeting capabilities of CNMs at the nano-bio interface. We explore how engineered interfaces enable advanced applications in biosensing, stimuli-responsive drug delivery, multimodal bioimaging, antibacterial therapy, and regenerative tissue engineering. The review also addresses challenges such as scalability, long-term toxicity, and regulatory hurdles, and proposes future directions to expedite clinical adoption. By providing a comprehensive framework for rational surface design, this work aims to bridge the gap between fundamental materials science and clinical needs, offering a roadmap for developing next-generation carbon-based theranostics.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4295-5

Facilitated Diffusion of Organic Ammonium Salts via OD-Induced Porous PbI2 for Efficient Two-Step Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Facilitated Diffusion of Organic Ammonium Salts via OD-Induced Porous PbI2 for Efficient Two-Step Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

The pre-deposited lead iodide (PbI2) film in two-step inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) often exhibits a dense structure, which impedes the diffusion and reaction of organic ammonium salts, leading to unreacted PbI2 residues and compromised device performance. To address this, 2,4-oxazolidinedione (OD) is introduced as a molecule additive into the PbI2 precursor solution. Owing to its stronger coordination with PbI2, OD effectively modulates its crystallization behavior, resulting in a porous structure. This porous structure significantly facilitates the diffusion and infiltration of organic ammonium salts, thereby minimizing PbI2 residue and enhancing the completeness of the perovskite conversion. Furthermore, OD and the constructed porous network jointly retard the crystallization kinetics of perovskite, promoting the formation of perovskite films with improved crystallinity and preferred crystal orientation. Therefore, the optimized PSCs achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.31%, and demonstrate excellent operational stability, retaining 90.24% of initial PCE for 1500 h at 25°C and 90.47% after 1000 h at 65°C. The champion device exhibits a VOC of 1.197 V, a JSC of 26.28 mA cm-2, and an FF of 83.58%, with negligible hysteresis. This study presents a straightforward yet effective approach to advancing the performance and stability of inverted PSCs fabricated via the two-step method.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4302-9

Photocatalytic Functional Coatings at a Turning Point: From High-Activity Materials to Service-Ready Surfaces

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Photocatalytic Functional Coatings at a Turning Point: From High-Activity Materials to Service-Ready Surfaces

Photocatalytic functional coatings are at a pivotal juncture where the primary research focus must transition from intrinsic material activity to a unified framework centered on surface serviceability. Surface serviceability encompasses the ability of a coating to maintain catalytic activity, interfacial integrity, multifunctional performance, safety, and manufacturability under specific service environments over its operational lifetime. Over the past three decades, photocatalytic surfaces have demonstrated potential for degrading organic pollutants, maintaining surface cleanliness, and enabling air purification, with applications in buildings, glass, highways, and infrastructure. However, high intrinsic activity alone does not guarantee stable long-term performance when the photocatalyst is immobilized as a substrate-integrated film. Performance is governed by coupled factors including interfacial adhesion, film structure, environmental aging, and functional durability. Current challenges extend beyond catalytic activity to include long-term deactivation, coating-substrate interfacial stability, trade-offs among multiple functions, adequacy of evaluation methods, and scalability of fabrication. These issues form a progressive service chain: design determines catalyst exposure and adhesion; environmental stresses induce functional or structural failure; multifunctional integration may compromise one function for another. Therefore, application-oriented evaluation is essential. This perspective advocates for a paradigm shift toward service-oriented design, requiring establishment of service-relevant evaluation protocols and development of scalable, repairable fabrication routes. Such efforts will enable photocatalytic coatings to evolve from high-activity laboratory materials into engineering surfaces that are verifiable, comparable, manufacturable, and durable in real-world applications.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4271-5

Co-doping enables band convergence, dopability preservation and dislocation engineering in PbTe thermoelectrics

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Co-doping enables band convergence, dopability preservation and dislocation engineering in PbTe thermoelectrics

Thermoelectric materials enable direct and reversible conversion between heat and electricity, offering unique advantages for waste heat recovery, solid-state refrigeration, and deep-space power systems. The performance is evaluated by the dimensionless figure of merit, zT = S²σT/κ, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ is the electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature, and κ is the total thermal conductivity. Achieving high zT requires simultaneous realization of a large power factor (S²σ) and low thermal conductivity. However, these parameters are intrinsically coupled, posing a fundamental challenge. PbTe is a representative thermoelectric material operating in the intermediate temperature range, with outstanding performance originating from its unique electronic band structure featuring multiple nearly degenerate valence band maxima near the L points. Band convergence via alloying with mono-tellurides such as MgTe, MnTe, CdTe, YbTe, SrTe, and EuTe effectively modifies the valence band structure, increasing band degeneracy and density-of-states effective mass, thereby enhancing electrical conductivity without decreasing the Seebeck coefficient. However, increasing the content of these mono-tellurides limits acceptor dopability, making conventional dopants like Na difficult to incorporate. This study demonstrates that co-doping strategies can preserve dopability while achieving band convergence and dislocation engineering, leading to significantly reduced lattice thermal conductivity and extraordinary peak zT values. The decoupling of electronic and thermal transport through this approach offers a promising route for high-performance thermoelectrics.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4290-9

Nanoparticle-Reinforced Self-Assembled Molecular Interfaces Enable Mechanically Robust Flexible Organic Solar Cells

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Nanoparticle-Reinforced Self-Assembled Molecular Interfaces Enable Mechanically Robust Flexible Organic Solar Cells

Self-assembled molecular interlayers (SAMs) are promising hole-selective contacts for high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs) due to their well-defined energy alignment and minimal parasitic absorption. However, their intrinsically limited mechanical robustness often leads to structural degradation and performance loss under mechanical deformation, restricting their application in flexible devices. Here, we report a nanoparticle-reinforced self-assembled composite interface that simultaneously enhances mechanical reliability and optoelectronic performance. Uniformly dispersed SiO2 nanoparticles are introduced as high-modulus reinforcing building blocks without disturbing molecular self-assembly. In contrast to NiOx nanoparticles, which suffer from aggregation and parasitic absorption, SiO2 nanoparticles exhibit excellent dispersion and optical transparency, enabling formation of a structurally compatible hybrid interface. Mechanistic studies reveal that SiO2 nanoparticles redistribute interfacial stress and form dynamic hydrogen-bond networks with phosphonic acid groups of 2PACz, providing efficient energy dissipation during cyclic deformation. Meanwhile, modulation of interfacial polarity extends the crystallization time window of the active layer, resulting in enhanced molecular ordering and improved charge transport. As a result, devices based on the SiO2/2PACz composite interface achieve a power conversion efficiency of 20.14% for rigid devices and 19.30% for flexible devices, placing the flexible devices among the highest-performing flexible OSCs reported to date, while retaining over 90% of their initial efficiency after repeated bending cycles. This work establishes a general strategy for overcoming the trade-off between electronic selectivity and mechanical robustness in ultrathin self-assembled molecular interfaces, providing design insights for high-performance flexible organic optoelectronics.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4269-4

Multi-Interface Engineering Modulated Bidirectional Polysulfide Conversion for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Multi-Interface Engineering Modulated Bidirectional Polysulfide Conversion for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are recognized as a leading candidate for next-generation energy storage due to their high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mAh g⁻¹). However, the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) severely limits cycle life and energy efficiency. Here, we report a multi-interface engineering strategy employing a MnO₂-TiO₂@Ti₃C₂ MXene (MT@MX) heterojunction, synthesized via a facile redox reaction between MXene and KMnO₄, to modulate bidirectional polysulfide conversion. The 2D structure with high conductivity and abundant heterogeneous interfaces facilitates fast ion/electron transfer, reduces reaction energy barriers, and enhances adsorption via d-band center effects. The stepped built-in electric field (BIEF) in MT@MX lowers the migration energy barrier of LiPSs from catalytic MXene to TiO₂ and then to adsorptive MnO₂, enabling reversible migration across multi-interfaces. Optimized heterointerfaces synergistically integrate adsorption, diffusion, and catalytic conversion, yielding excellent cycling stability even at a high sulfur loading of 6.4 mg cm⁻². This work demonstrates that constructing heterojunctions with stepped BIEF offers a feasible approach to modulate interfacial diffusion and provides a new design strategy for high-performance LSB electrocatalysts.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4260-5

Molecular Weight Engineering of D18 Polymer Enables 20.55% Efficiency in Non-Halogenated Solvent-Processed Organic Solar Cells via Controlled Film Formation Kinetics

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Molecular Weight Engineering of D18 Polymer Enables 20.55% Efficiency in Non-Halogenated Solvent-Processed Organic Solar Cells via Controlled Film Formation Kinetics

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs) has surpassed 21% with the donor polymer D18, yet its processing from non-halogenated solvents like ortho-xylene (o-XY) remains inefficient due to uncontrolled film formation kinetics. Here, we systematically synthesize D18 polymers with molecular weights ranging from 41.6 kDa to 70.9 kDa to modulate crystallization kinetics. In-situ film drying studies reveal that lower molecular weights accelerate solidification, leading to excessive aggregation, while higher molecular weights slow it, causing insufficient phase separation. A medium molecular weight (D18-M) achieves a balanced crystallization rate, promoting favorable morphology and yielding a PCE of 20.55% with L8-BO as acceptor—one of the highest reported for non-halogenated solvent-processed OSCs. Energy loss analysis indicates that although low-molecular-weight polymers exhibit higher intrinsic luminescence, the blend film's emission is governed by exciton environment, which is dictated by morphology. This work underscores the critical role of molecular weight in controlling film formation and morphology, offering a simple yet effective strategy for high-efficiency, environmentally friendly OSCs.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4300-3

SinoGreenTech ResearchSCIENCE CHINA Materials

SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Aza-Pyran Molecular Design for Low-Energy-Loss Organic Solar Cells: Achieving 19.86% Efficiency via Energetic Disorder Regulation

Achieving low-energy-loss organic solar cells requires precise regulation of energetic disorder and intermolecular packing, which remains challenging at the molecular design level. Here, we report an aza-pyran-type molecular design strategy that integrates a sp3-hybridized nitrogen-centered core with a pyran structural motif to regulate aggregation behavior and energetic disorder in non-fullerene acceptors. Two representative acceptors, D10 and D11, are developed, both exhibiting broadened absorption and high open-circuit voltages, while D10 shows more balanced aggregation and improved long-range molecular ordering. When incorporated as guest acceptors into the PM6:L8-BO system, the optimized ternary device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 19.86% with a high VOC of 0.89 V. Detailed optoelectronic analyses reveal reduced non-radiative energy loss (ΔE3 ≈ 0.23 eV), enhanced electroluminescence quantum efficiency (~1.17 × 10-4), and lowered energetic disorder (EU = 25 meV) in the ternary blends. GIWAXS and charge-transport studies further demonstrate that the introduction of D10 promotes enlarged crystalline domains and more ordered π-π stacking, facilitating balanced carrier transport and suppressed recombination. This work establishes an effective molecular design paradigm that links aza-pyran molecular engineering with energy-loss management, providing new insights into the development of high-efficiency, low-energy-loss organic solar cells.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4210-6

SinoGreenTech ResearchSCIENCE CHINA Materials

SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Failure Mechanism of NNFMO//HC Sodium-Ion Pouch Cells under Mechanical-Electrochemical Service Conditions

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising for grid-scale storage and low-speed electric vehicles, yet their electrochemical behavior is governed by intricate mechanical-electrochemical coupling effects, rendering failure mechanisms not fully understood. Here, we develop an in-situ pressure-electrochemical monitoring system and reveal the failure mechanism of commercial Ah-level NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2//hard carbon (NNFMO//HC) sodium-ion pouch cells. Under an initial external pressure of 500 kPa, the full cell retains 90.07% of its capacity after 500 cycles at 0.5 C. Operating at the optimal pressure of 500 kPa effectively avoids heterogeneous sodium deposition in HC anodes, suppresses gas evolution from electrolyte decomposition, and prevents irreversible phase transitions in NNFMO cathodes during long-term cycling, thereby mitigating capacity degradation. Deviation from this optimal pressure leads to spatially non-uniform sodium deposition, accelerated electrolyte decomposition, and irreversible cathode phase transitions, collectively accelerating capacity fade. This work establishes a quantitative relationship between external pressure and pouch cell degradation, advancing SIBs development and application.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4303-7

Erratum: Correction of Funding Number in 'Investigation on Graphene Growth by Roll-to-Roll Chemical Vapor Deposition'

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Erratum: Correction of Funding Number in 'Investigation on Graphene Growth by Roll-to-Roll Chemical Vapor Deposition'

This erratum corrects an error in the Acknowledgments section of the original article 'Investigation on graphene growth by roll-to-roll chemical vapor deposition' published in Science China Materials, Vol. 65, Issue 4, page 1042, 2022. The authors regret that the funding number (No. (2021)105) for the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program was incorrectly used. The correct funding number is No. KQTD20200820113010022. The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused. This correction does not affect the scientific content, results, or conclusions of the original paper. The original research focused on the kinetics of graphene growth via roll-to-roll chemical vapor deposition (CVD), a scalable method for producing high-quality graphene films. The study addressed challenges in continuous manufacturing, such as uniformity, growth rate, and defect control, and provided insights into optimizing process parameters for industrial-scale production. The erratum ensures accurate attribution of funding sources, maintaining the integrity of the research record.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4319-x

Amino Acid Intercalated Iron-Rich NiFe-LDHs with Low-Spin Fe3+ for Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysis

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Amino Acid Intercalated Iron-Rich NiFe-LDHs with Low-Spin Fe3+ for Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysis

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a bottleneck for efficient water splitting. NiFe-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising OER catalysts, but their performance is often limited by the high-spin state of Fe3+ and poor structural stability. Here, we report a series of amino acid-intercalated iron-rich NiFe-LDHs (AA-NiFe-LDHs) synthesized via a facile one-step coprecipitation method. Intercalation of glycine, alanine, and valine into the interlayer galleries expands the interlayer spacing and induces a partial transition of Fe3+ from high-spin to low-spin state, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The low-spin Fe3+ enhances the intrinsic catalytic activity by optimizing the adsorption energy of oxygen intermediates. Among the series, the glycine-intercalated sample (Gly-NiFe-LDH) exhibits the best OER performance in 1.0 M KOH, with an overpotential of 240 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 38 mV dec−1, significantly outperforming the pristine NiFe-LDH (280 mV, 52 mV dec−1). Moreover, Gly-NiFe-LDH shows excellent long-term stability, retaining 95% of its initial activity after 24 h of chronopotentiometry at 10 mA cm−2. The intercalation also increases the electrochemically active surface area by 2.3-fold and reduces the charge transfer resistance from 12.5 Ω to 4.8 Ω. This work demonstrates that amino acid intercalation is an effective strategy to modulate the spin state of Fe3+ and enhance the OER performance of NiFe-LDHs, providing a new avenue for designing high-efficiency, low-cost electrocatalysts.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4239-2

Electron Spin as a Descriptor for Sulfur Electrochemistry: Principles, Characterization, and Regulation Strategies in Sulfur-Based Batteries

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Electron Spin as a Descriptor for Sulfur Electrochemistry: Principles, Characterization, and Regulation Strategies in Sulfur-Based Batteries

Sulfur-based batteries are promising for next-generation energy storage due to high theoretical capacity, natural abundance, and low cost of sulfur cathodes. However, practical implementation is impeded by sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, dissolution and migration of intermediate polysulfides, and formation of insulating discharge products. Conventional catalyst design focuses on charge distribution, adsorption energetics, and structural confinement, yet these approaches incompletely describe the complex electronic processes governing sulfur conversion. Electron spin, an intrinsic quantum degree of freedom, offers an additional dimension for modulating catalytic behavior via its influence on electronic structure and orbital interactions at catalytic interfaces. In spin-polarized systems, changes in occupation and splitting of transition-metal d orbitals can regulate d-p hybridization with sulfur species, affecting interfacial charge transfer and energetics of sulfur redox reactions. This review summarizes recent progress in elucidating and manipulating electron spin in sulfur-based battery systems. Fundamental principles connecting spin states with electronic structure and catalytic behavior are outlined, followed by experimental approaches for probing spin-related electronic properties using spectroscopic and magnetic characterization techniques. Emerging strategies for spin regulation are highlighted, including heteroatom doping, defect engineering, coordination environment modulation, chirality-induced spin selectivity, and external magnetic-field control. Remaining challenges in identifying spin effects under realistic electrochemical conditions are addressed, along with opportunities for integrating spin-related descriptors into catalyst design. Establishing quantitative relationships between spin polarization, orbital hybridization, and sulfur reaction pathways may provide new perspectives for high-performance sulfur-based batteries.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4323-8

SinoGreenTech ResearchSCIENCE CHINA Materials

SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Efficient green-solvent, additive-free and post-treatment-free organic solar cells enabled by dithiazolobenzotriazole-based polymer donors

Developing organic solar cells (OSCs) processable from green solvents without additives or post-treatments is essential for sustainable manufacturing, yet high power conversion efficiency (PCE) remains difficult due to limited morphology control. Herein, we develop a new electron-deficient building block, dithiazolo[4',5':3,4;5'',4'':5,6]benzo[1,2-d][1,2,3]triazole (DTzBT), which fuses benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole (BTA) with thiazole to leverage S/N-mediated non-covalent interactions, enhance planarity and lower the HOMO. To isolate side-chain effects, two DTzBT-based donors, namely PTzMe-F (N-methyl) and PTzEH-F (N-2-ethylhexyl), have been designed and synthesized. PTzMe-F exhibits poor solubility and miscibility with L8-BO, yielding 2.64% PCE (chloroform). PTzEH-F exhibits excellent processability and favorable morphology, delivering 17.61% PCE (chloroform) and 19.17% as-cast from toluene without any additive or post-treatments. In addition, the ternary LbL device based on PTzEH-F/L8-BO:PC71BM achieved an impressive efficiency of 20.27%. Comprehensive characterization indicates that 2-ethylhexyl side chains afford optimal solubility while preserving strong intermolecular interactions and favorable phase separation. DTzBT mitigates BTA’s HOMO-raising tendency via electron-withdrawing thiazole fusion, reconciling aggregation tunability with energy-level control. These results show that precise backbone and side-chain co-design enables green-solvent, additive-free processing for high-performance OSCs, advancing sustainable photovoltaic manufacturing.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4246-5

Heterodimensional Superlattices: Preparation, Properties, and Applications

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Heterodimensional Superlattices: Preparation, Properties, and Applications

Heterodimensional superlattices, integrating materials of different dimensionalities (e.g., 0D, 1D, 2D) within a periodic structure, have attracted significant attention due to their unique electronic structures and emergent properties arising from inter-dimensional coupling. This review comprehensively summarizes the state-of-the-art preparation strategies, distinctive physical properties, and diverse applications of these emerging systems. Beyond conventional epitaxial growth and chemical intercalation methods, recent advances include van der Waals assembly and phase engineering, enabling precise control over layer stacking and interfacial interactions. Key properties discussed include tunable electronic band structures, enhanced spin-orbit coupling, and emergent phenomena such as the in-plane Hall effect, which are promising for spintronic devices. The review also highlights applications in energy storage and conversion, where heterodimensional superlattices exhibit improved ion transport and catalytic activity. Challenges remain in scalable fabrication and structural stability, but the field holds potential for next-generation electronics and energy technologies.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4204-4

Optoelectronic Memristors Based on ZnS-Passivated CdZnSe Quantum Dots for Neuromorphic Synaptic Emulation Enabling Information Encryption

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Optoelectronic Memristors Based on ZnS-Passivated CdZnSe Quantum Dots for Neuromorphic Synaptic Emulation Enabling Information Encryption

Neuromorphic computing demands energy-efficient synaptic devices that emulate biological plasticity. Optoelectronic memristors based on colloidal quantum dots (QDs) offer tunable bandgaps and solution processability, yet suffer from defect-mediated nonradiative recombination and instability. Here, we report ZnS-passivated CdZnSe core/shell QDs as the active layer in memristive devices, achieving enhanced synaptic emulation and information encryption. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) decay curves were fitted with a tri-exponential function, revealing that ZnS passivation suppresses defect-related trap states, prolonging the average carrier lifetime from 12.3 ns (CdZnSe) to 28.7 ns (CdZnSe/ZnS). The intensity proportion of the fast decay component (τ1 ≈ 1.2 ns) decreased from 45% to 18%, indicating reduced surface trapping. Devices incorporating CdZnSe/ZnS QDs exhibit stable bipolar resistive switching with an ON/OFF ratio exceeding 10^3, endurance of >10^3 cycles, and retention of >10^4 s. Under 365 nm UV illumination, the devices show light-tunable synaptic plasticity, including paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) with a facilitation index of 180% at a 50 ms interval, and transition from short-term to long-term memory. The memristors successfully emulate essential synaptic functions and are employed in a simple encryption scheme, demonstrating the potential of defect-passivated QDs for secure neuromorphic hardware.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4339-7

Mismatching in Meso-/Microscopic Orientation Drives Optical Anisotropy to Unlock Multicolor Nonreciprocal Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Chiral Polymer Elastomeric Films

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Mismatching in Meso-/Microscopic Orientation Drives Optical Anisotropy to Unlock Multicolor Nonreciprocal Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Chiral Polymer Elastomeric Films

Thin films with nonreciprocal circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) emit circularly polarized light with opposite handedness from its two opposite sides, holding great promise for advancing optical multiplexing technologies. Herein, we introduce component orientation mismatch into chiral composite films via stretching, which leads to macroscopic optical anisotropy and accordingly drives the films to show nonreciprocal CPL activity. Stretching triggers linear dichroism-linear birefringence (LD-LB) coupling to realize nonreciprocal circular dichroism (CD) in elastomer films consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and chiral polyacetylene (R/S-PSA). Moreover, fluorescence anisotropy-linear birefringence (f-LB) coupling occurs after introducing fluorescent groups into the films to achieve multi-color nonreciprocal CPL. The unstretched films exhibit reciprocal CPL with a luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) of 10⁻¹, with handedness determined by PSA’s intrinsic helical chirality. In the stretched films, the oriented fluorescent groups undergo f-LB coupling with matrix crystallization, resulting in nonreciprocal CPL (|glum|=10⁻²). Based on this distinctive chiroptical feature, we have developed chiral logic gates, multidimensional optical encryption systems, and enantioselective photopolymerization platforms to demonstrate the potential uses of the as-obtained CPL films. This work provides both fundamental insights into and a versatile material platform for developing smart nonreciprocal photonic systems with advanced chiroptical functionality.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4340-0

Heating-mode-defined energy pathways govern non-contact release in shape memory polymer transfer printing

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Heating-mode-defined energy pathways govern non-contact release in shape memory polymer transfer printing

Shape memory polymer (SMP)-based transfer printing offers a promising route for heterogeneous integration of flexible electronics, yet non-contact release reliability remains a critical bottleneck. This study systematically investigates the influence of pickup heating modes—localized versus global—on the release yield and energy-delivery mechanisms through combined experiments and finite element simulations. The localized heating mode concentrates strain energy at the interface, enabling controlled chip ejection with high yield, whereas global heating dissipates energy, leading to release failure. Quantitative analysis reveals that localized heating achieves a release yield of 100% under optimized conditions, compared to near-zero for global heating. The ejection velocity under localized heating is higher, which may induce chip bouncing on the receiver substrate, affecting transfer accuracy; however, this can be mitigated by adjusting release gap and laser parameters. The findings establish a theoretical framework for energy pathway design, providing guidelines for achieving high-yield, accurate non-contact release in laser-induced transfer printing. This work advances the practical application of SMP-based transfer printing for micro-LED displays and flexible electronics, addressing a key manufacturing bottleneck.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4250-0

Stable Sodium Metal Batteries Enabled by Encapsulation and Alloying-Induced Amorphization

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Stable Sodium Metal Batteries Enabled by Encapsulation and Alloying-Induced Amorphization

Sodium metal batteries are promising for large-scale energy storage due to sodium's abundance and low cost, but their commercialization is hindered by dendrite growth and low utilization of sodium metal anodes. Here, we report a yolk-shell structure with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) confined in hollow carbon nanospheres (Au@HCN) as a robust seeding/hosting interphase. The encapsulation isolates Au NPs from direct electrolyte contact, mitigating parasitic reactions, while the void space accommodates volume changes during alloying. Notably, electrochemical testing reveals that Au NPs undergo alloying-induced amorphization upon sodiation, forming a Na-Au amorphous alloy that enhances sodiophilicity and ensures uniform Na nucleation. This amorphous phase, confirmed by ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, reduces nucleation overpotential and promotes dendrite-free deposition. The Au@HCN electrode achieves a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.8% over 500 cycles at 1 mA cm−2 and a long cycle life of over 2000 hours at 0.5 mA cm−2 in symmetric cells. Full cells paired with Na3V2(PO4)3 cathodes deliver a specific capacity of 105 mAh g−1 with 92% retention after 500 cycles. This work provides a rational design for stable sodium metal anodes through encapsulation and alloying-induced amorphization, offering a pathway for practical sodium metal batteries.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4349-9

Deep Learning-Enabled Auxetic Textile Sensors for Physiological Monitoring and Soft Robotics

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Deep Learning-Enabled Auxetic Textile Sensors for Physiological Monitoring and Soft Robotics

Flexible wearable sensors have transformed motion tracking, soft robotics, and human-machine interfaces by enabling precise movement detection and adaptability to curved surfaces. However, conventional composite sensors often face challenges such as limited sensitivity, detection range, linearity, and durability. In this study, we propose a stretchable auxetic sensing textile with a negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) structure, incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) by micro-crack engineering to enhance its mechanical durability and sensing performance. Integrating macro-scale NPR with micro-scale wrinkles, this innovative design achieves a high sensitivity of 11.2 within a wide detection range (0-100%), a more linear sensing range with an R2 value of 0.998, an ultra-low detection limit of 0.5%, and exceptional durability, outperforming conventional wearable sensors. Additionally, the textile sensor boasts excellent moisture permeability (32.7 g m⁻² h⁻¹) and a remarkable NPR value of -0.25, ensuring comfort and adaptability for various wearable applications. Integrated with deep learning algorithms, the auxetic sensing textile demonstrates 98% accuracy in recognizing soft robotic movements at various bending angles. It is capable of capturing both small-scale physiological signals, such as electrocardiograms, and large-scale movements, offering significant freedom of movement and adaptability to complex surfaces.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4350-4

Germanium-Based Key Materials for Potassium-Ion Batteries: Storage Mechanisms, Performance Enhancement, and Advanced Design Strategies

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Germanium-Based Key Materials for Potassium-Ion Batteries: Storage Mechanisms, Performance Enhancement, and Advanced Design Strategies

Germanium-based materials (Ge-based) have been explored as anodes for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity (369 mAh g-1) and moderate potassium insertion potentials. However, their application is hindered by volume expansion and unstable solid electrolyte interphase films. This review systematically synthesizes recent advances in Ge-based materials (encompassing metallic Ge, oxides, chalcogenides, and alloys), with an emphasis on structure-performance relationships to elaborate synergistic optimization strategies. Key optimization strategies such as nanostructuring, composite design with conductive supports, interfacial engineering, doping, and electrolyte modification are elaborated. The potassium storage mechanisms of different materials are compared, and the effectiveness of various modification strategies is evaluated under different operating conditions. High-throughput computations are integrated with experimental validation to guide material and electrolyte design. A life cycle assessment perspective is also introduced to evaluate the sustainability and practical viability of Ge-based materials. Given the high cost and low abundance of Ge, these materials are more suitable for niche applications where high energy density is critical, rather than large-scale grid storage. The review underscores the necessity of balancing electrochemical performance with economic and environmental considerations, proposing a roadmap for future research that prioritizes cost-effective synthesis and scalable manufacturing.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4344-5

A Microenvironment-Adaptive Hydrogel Enabled by an MXene-Based Coordination Nanoreactor Drives Immune-Osteogenic Cascade for Infected Bone Defects Regeneration

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

A Microenvironment-Adaptive Hydrogel Enabled by an MXene-Based Coordination Nanoreactor Drives Immune-Osteogenic Cascade for Infected Bone Defects Regeneration

Infected bone defects remain a formidable clinical challenge due to the coupled pathologies of bacterial infection and impaired osteogenesis. Conventional treatments often fail to address the dynamic microenvironment, leading to persistent infection and inadequate bone repair. Here, we report a microenvironment-adaptive hydrogel incorporating a Ti3C2Tx MXene-based coordination nanoreactor that orchestrates an immune-osteogenic cascade. The nanoreactor, constructed by coordinating Fe3+ ions onto MXene nanosheets, exhibits pH- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive release of Fe3+ and MXene, enabling sequential antibacterial and pro-osteogenic activities. In vitro studies demonstrated that the hydrogel eradicated Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (>99.9% killing) within 6 h via synergistic photothermal and chemodynamic effects, while simultaneously scavenging excess ROS to mitigate oxidative stress. Notably, the released Fe3+ ions promoted M2 macrophage polarization, as evidenced by a 2.5-fold increase in CD206 expression, and subsequently enhanced osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), with alkaline phosphatase activity elevated by 1.8-fold and alizarin red staining intensity increased by 2.2-fold. In a rat model of infected calvarial defects, the hydrogel significantly accelerated bone regeneration, achieving a bone volume fraction of 78.4% at 8 weeks post-implantation, compared to 35.2% in the untreated control. Micro-CT and histological analyses confirmed robust new bone formation and complete infection clearance. This study presents a paradigm for designing adaptive biomaterials that integrate infection control and bone regeneration, offering a promising strategy for treating infected bone defects.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4242-1

Self-Photooxidation-Restructuring Enables NIR-II Absorption of Carbon Dots for Cancer Phototherapy

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Self-Photooxidation-Restructuring Enables NIR-II Absorption of Carbon Dots for Cancer Phototherapy

Carbon dots (CDs) with absorption in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 900-1700 nm) hold promise for tumor theranostics, yet existing synthesis methods often involve complex procedures, harsh conditions, or lack precise control. Here we report a 'self-photooxidation-restructuring' strategy that enables structural reorganization of the carbon core in CDs, achieving a significant redshift of absorption into the NIR-II region. Under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, the precursor (B-CDs, absorption in UV region) generates singlet oxygen, which self-oxidizes aldehyde groups and the carbon skeleton of B-CDs to stronger electron-withdrawing carboxyl groups and carbon radicals, respectively. These processes facilitate the formation of new C=C bonds between isolated aromatic domains, thereby transforming B-CDs into novel CDs (N-CDs) characterized by enhanced donor-acceptor interactions and a redshift in absorption toward the NIR-II window. Various experimental data, including high-resolution XPS, FTIR, NMR, EPR, have proved the proposed formation mechanism. The novel N-CDs afforded a high photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 71.33%, which enabled 1064 nm laser-activated photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) in tumors. This work opens a new avenue for the synthesis and modulation of CDs in the NIR-II region.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4202-3

Hybrid graphene and carbon fiber reinforced composites: Synthesis-structure-property relationships

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials2026

Hybrid graphene and carbon fiber reinforced composites: Synthesis-structure-property relationships

This review systematically examines the synthesis-structure-property relationships of hybrid graphene and carbon fiber reinforced composites, encompassing polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix systems. The hybridization of graphene with carbon fibers addresses the intrinsic limitations of conventional composites, such as weak interfacial bonding and insufficient multifunctionality. The review consolidates recent advances in fabrication strategies, including electrophoretic deposition, layer-by-layer assembly, and precursor impregnation, which enable controlled graphene distribution and orientation. Critical analyses of mechanical, tribological, electrochemical, and anti-ablation properties reveal that graphene addition significantly enhances interfacial shear strength, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity. For instance, in copper matrix composites, the incorporation of reduced graphene oxide with short carbon fibers improves tribological performance, reducing wear rates under specific load conditions. In ceramic matrix composites, graphene-modified C/C-SiC composites exhibit superior anti-ablation resistance, with mass loss rates reduced by up to 30% at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, graphene-coated carbon fiber electrodes demonstrate high specific capacitance and cycling stability in energy storage applications. The review also addresses challenges such as dispersion uniformity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, proposing future directions for industrial adoption. By providing a comprehensive framework, this work guides the design of next-generation hybrid composites tailored for aerospace, automotive, and energy storage sectors.

Read Full Abstract10.1007/s40843-026-4354-9