SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4315-2
High-temperature X-ray imaging demands scintillators with high crystallinity, efficient scintillation, and robust thermal stability, yet suitable materials remain scarce. Here, we report an ultra-high-crystallinity transparent glass-ceramic (GC) scintillator strategically designed via controllable heat-treatment-induced crystallization. A sequential precipitation method is employed, where cubic CaF2 nanocrystals initially form, subsequently promoting heterogeneous nucleation and growth of hexagonal BaAl2Si2O8. Intrinsic nanoscale phase separation into F-rich and O-rich domains significantly reduces atomic diffusion distances, yielding an unprecedented crystallinity of up to 97.6%. Notably, defect traps (oxygen vacancy defects, likely located within the lattice or at crystalline/amorphous interfaces) enable efficient carrier capture and thermally stimulated release, contributing to remarkable resistance to thermal quenching. Consequently, the GC scintillator maintains 90.6% of its integrated X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) intensity at 300 °C, with the integrated XEL intensity reaching 94.2% of commercial Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) at room temperature. This enables stable high-temperature X-ray imaging with a spatial resolution of ~10.4 lp mm−1 up to 225 °C. This work provides a versatile pathway for developing high-sensitivity scintillators for extreme-environment X-ray imaging.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3677-9
The demand for high-performance scintillators in high-temperature applications, such as industrial flaw detection and oil exploration, necessitates materials with both high efficiency and thermal robustness. This work reports Tb3+-doped oxyfluoride glass scintillators exhibiting anti-thermal-quenching radioluminescence (RL). Three synergistic strategies were employed: (i) an oxyfluoride glass host providing a low-phonon-energy environment, (ii) increased structural densification of the glass network, and (iii) thermally enhanced energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+. The resulting scintillators achieve an optical transmittance exceeding 88% at 542 nm, a record RL intensity of 350% relative to a standard Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystal, and an imaging resolution of 24 lp mm−1. Notably, the RL intensity at 633 K reaches 143% of its room-temperature (303 K) value, demonstrating significant anti-thermal-quenching behavior. In contrast, commercial BGO and CsI:Tl scintillators exhibit RL intensities dropping to approximately 1% under identical conditions. These results establish the potential of Tb3+-doped glass scintillators for high-temperature X-ray imaging and provide a strategic framework for developing thermally robust scintillating materials.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507021
The accumulation of heavy metals in soil around municipal solid waste landfills poses potential risks to human health. This study selected a municipal solid waste landfill and monitored the concentrations of eight heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg, Cu, As, Cr) in surrounding soil. The geo-accumulation index method was used for pollution assessment, and a health risk assessment model recommended by the USEPA, combined with Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, was employed to evaluate the pollution status and health risks to nearby residents. Results showed that among the eight metals, Pb, Ni, and Cd exceeded risk screening values at 4.26%, 6.38%, and 4.26% of sampling points, respectively. Geo-accumulation indices indicated overall clean conditions (mean < 0), but slight pollution by Pb, Zn, Ni, Hg, and Cd at some points. Probabilistic risk assessment based on Monte Carlo simulation revealed that for both adults and children, the cumulative non-carcinogenic risk was negligible, while carcinogenic risk was acceptable. However, there was a very low probability (approximately 0.2%) of non-carcinogenic risk for children, and probabilities of unacceptable carcinogenic risk were 0.64% for adults and 3.21% for children. Nickel was the primary contributor to carcinogenic risk, and children faced higher health risks than adults. These findings provide a reference for pollution prevention and health risk management of soil around municipal solid waste landfills.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3787-x
Circumventing the tumor's defensive antioxidant system and achieving precision cancer therapy remain major challenges in high-efficacy tumor treatments. Here, we propose a synergistic strategy integrating non-oxidative physical ablation and oxidative chemical intervention. An acid-responsive self-collapsing nanomineral PCSB is constructed, comprising poly(acrylic acid)-modified calcium sulfite (CaSO3) and a pH-responsive photoacoustic (PA) therapeutic molecule, aza-BDP. In the tumor acidic microenvironment, PCSB decomposes, releasing PA agents and SO2/Ca2+, thereby enabling combined non-oxidative mechanical damage from PA therapy and oxidative chemical damage from SO2 gas and Ca2+ ions. This dual-action approach effectively reduces resistance conferred by tumor antioxidant mechanisms and improves treatment precision. The study presents a synergistic physical-chemical strategy with significant potential for solid tumor elimination.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511043
Zero-valent iron (ZVI) suffers from surface passivation and low electron utilization in reductive removal of nitrobenzene (NB). To address these issues, a ball-milled iron/digestate biochar composite (BM-Fe/DBC) was prepared and compared with a physically mixed counterpart (PM-Fe/DBC). Characterization revealed that ball milling tightly embedded ZVI particles into the carbon matrix, forming Fe–C chemical bonds and a strong interfacial coupling structure that established efficient electron transfer channels. This structure significantly enhanced the micro-galvanic effect between iron and carbon, yielding superior reduction performance across a wide pH range (3–9). Under optimal conditions (Fe:C mass ratio 2:1, dosage 1.0 g·L−1, pH 5), BM-Fe/DBC achieved 79.9% NB removal, and the generation of aniline (AN) was 1.85 times that of PM-Fe/DBC. Mechanistic studies indicated that the intimate Fe–C interfacial coupling promoted sustained ZVI corrosion and enhanced the production of indirect reducing species, including adsorbed Fe(II) and atomic hydrogen (H*). Electrochemical analyses showed that BM-Fe/DBC exhibited a lower corrosion potential, a higher corrosion current density (approximately 2.15 times higher), and lower charge transfer resistance, kinetically confirming its superior electron transfer capability. These findings reveal that constructing strong interfacial coupling in iron–carbon composites via mechanochemical methods can effectively overcome key limitations of ZVI in reduction reactions, providing a theoretical basis and practical pathway for designing high-performance water treatment materials.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512025
Persulfate (PS) is a common oxidant in in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) for groundwater organic contamination, but its vertical concentration stratification may lead to inefficient remediation of light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs). To investigate the vertical stratification characteristics of PS in porous aquifers and its impact on LNAPLs remediation, static water column experiments and flowing water sand tank experiments were conducted. The migration behavior of PS under non-slow-release and slow-release conditions was compared, with Br− as a reference tracer and benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) as LNAPLs contaminants. Results showed that in static water columns, Br− exhibited weak vertical migration, short migration distance, and a low decay rate (0.009 d−1), consistent with a stable tracer. In contrast, PS showed strong vertical migration, with concentrations increasing with depth; under slow-release conditions, the concentration difference between the top and bottom of the column could reach two orders of magnitude. Br− migration was dominated by molecular diffusion (effective diffusion coefficient 2.2×10−9 m2·s−1), while PS migration was driven by both diffusion and density. Under slow-release conditions, the average PS decay rate was 0.072 d−1, slightly higher than the non-slow-release rate (0.059 d−1). In both column and sand tank experiments, BTX exhibited a distinct shallow-layer distribution, contrasting with PS. When the aquifer thickness is large, PS stratification limits its contact with LNAPLs contaminants, increasing remediation cost and difficulty. These findings provide theoretical reference for PS-based ISCO remediation of LNAPLs in porous aquifers.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608005
The escalating volume of end-of-life carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and the high energy consumption and emissions of virgin fiber production necessitate low-carbon recycling technologies. Superheated steam pyrolysis, an emerging method, is systematically reviewed. At 450–500 °C, the synergistic 'hydrothermal-weak oxidation' mechanism enables controlled resin cracking and simultaneous char removal. Key parameters—temperature, oxygen concentration, residence time, and CO2/steam two-step coupling—affect the mechanical, surface, and electrical properties of recycled carbon fiber (rCF). A 'low-temperature, short-duration, micro-oxygen' process retains over 90% tensile strength. Comparison of laboratory, pilot, and industrial setups highlights challenges in exhaust gas treatment, multi-component waste adaptability, and energy integration. Life cycle assessment (LCA) confirms this route reduces energy consumption by ~25% and carbon emissions by ~30% versus landfilling/incineration, offering environmental and economic advantages. Future research should focus on product databases, distributed recycling networks, and unified LCA frameworks to support CFRP closed-loop recycling.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4163-y
Liquid metals (LMs) are promising catalyst systems due to their unique interfacial properties, yet migration and aggregation of active species cause performance degradation. Here, we report a composition optimization strategy using a Ga-In eutectic liquid metal support to reduce surface energy and achieve homogeneous incorporation of Cu species (GaIn-Cu). Comprehensive characterizations confirm uniform Cu dispersion, which inhibits migration and formation of CuGa2 intermetallic phases during CO2 electroreduction (CO2RR). The GaIn-10-Cu catalyst achieves a maximum CH4 Faradaic efficiency of 73.49% at -0.8 V vs. RHE, significantly higher than Ga-Cu (61.49%). Moreover, GaIn-10-Cu exhibits enhanced stability for CH4 generation over 40 h of continuous operation. In-situ spectroscopic studies reveal that GaIn-10-Cu favors formation and protonation of key *CHO and *OCH3 intermediates, steering selectivity toward CH4. This work demonstrates that tuning LM composition modulates catalytic site performance, offering a strategy for durable and selective LM-based electrocatalysts.