SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4412-y
GeTe-based thermoelectric materials are promising lead-free alternatives to PbTe, but their intrinsically high Ge vacancy concentration (~10^21 cm^-3) leads to excessive carrier density and degraded Seebeck coefficient. This study integrates resonant levels (RLs) via In doping and local van der Waals gaps via Sb/Bi alloying to decouple electron and phonon transport. The optimal composition Ge0.91Sb0.04Bi0.04In0.01Te exhibits a Seebeck coefficient of ~287.31 μV K^-1 at 323 K, more than double that of the In-free sample (~102.28 μV K^-1). The peak figure of merit zT reaches ~1.8 at 723 K, with an average zT of ~1.0 over 323–723 K. Vickers hardness is enhanced to ~224 HV, a ~93% improvement over pristine GeTe (~116 HV). X-ray diffraction reveals a structural evolution toward a pseudo-cubic phase with increasing In content, and the (202) peak shifts to lower angles, indicating lattice expansion. These results demonstrate that synergistic RLs and van der Waals gaps effectively optimize carrier concentration and suppress thermal conductivity, offering a viable route for high-performance, mechanically robust GeTe thermoelectrics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4321-x
Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes are leading candidates for solid-state lithium metal batteries due to their flexibility, processability, and interfacial compliance. However, the strong crystallization tendency of PEO and limited lithium salt dissociation result in low ionic conductivity and low Li+ transference number, exacerbating concentration polarization and interfacial instability. Introducing metal-organic framework (MOF) fillers into PEO matrices has emerged as an effective route to regulate polymer-chain packing and promote salt dissociation via Lewis acid-base interactions. Yet, most studies focus on cubic ZIF-8, whose saturated Zn coordination environment limits intrinsic Lewis acidity and restricts its ability to immobilize TFSI- anions. Simultaneously, simple physical blending often leaves discontinuous interfacial transport regions in composite electrolytes, so improved salt dissociation does not automatically translate into fast Li+ transport. Here we report a PEO-based composite polymer electrolyte, denoted as PZS, that couples monoclinic ZIF-8 (M-ZIF-8) nanosheets with a thin SiO2 layer. The design combines two complementary functions: the under-coordinated Zn sites in M-ZIF-8 provide strong Lewis acid centers to adsorb TFSI- and promote LiTFSI dissociation, while the hydroxyl-rich SiO2 shell improves compatibility with the PEO matrix and helps construct continuous interfacial Li+ transport pathways. Benefiting from this synergy, the optimized PZS electrolyte delivers an ionic conductivity of 8.3 × 10-4 S cm-1 and a Li+ transference number of 0.57 at 60 ℃, together with an electrochemical stability window of 5.2 V. Li||Li symmetric cells remain stable for over 1200 h at 0.1 mA cm-2, and LFP||Li full cells retain 80% of their capacity after 400 cycles at 0.5 C.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4351-8
Breaking intrinsic structural symmetry is a fundamental prerequisite for pronounced nonlinear optical responses. Low-symmetry semiconductors with inherent anisotropy enable self-powered optoelectronic conversion and polarization-sensitive functionalities. This work reports the synthesis of low-dimensional van der Waals chain TeSe2 crystals with intrinsic inversion and C3 symmetry breaking. Angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy and second-harmonic generation measurements confirm crystalline anisotropy and nonlinear optical performance. Electrical transport studies reveal p-type conduction with a room-temperature field-effect mobility of 122 cm2 V-1 s-1. The TeSe2 photodetector achieves self-powered detection and linearly polarized light detection across 405–1064 nm, with a photoresponsivity of 77.3 mA/W at 532 nm. The linear photogalvanic effect response is effectively modulated by gate voltage. Density functional theory calculations attribute p-type doping to Te and Se vacancies, while the nonlinear optical origin is linked to strong Berry curvature. Applications in polarization encoding communication and polarization imaging are demonstrated, indicating potential for low-energy-consuming, highly sensitive, on-chip integrated linear polarized photodetectors.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4425-4
Flexible and weavable alternating-current electroluminescent (ACEL) fiber devices are pivotal for wearable displays and human-computer interfaces, yet their intrinsic lack of color tunability restricts high-density information interaction. This study presents a dynamically color-tunable electroluminescent fiber device with a coaxial winding structure that integrates multiple fiber electrodes emitting the three primary colors. Through simple voltage driving, the device achieves a color gamut covering 131.07% of the sRGB standard, enabling arbitrary full-color tunability, including standard white light with CIE coordinates of (0.31, 0.33). The emission peak is continuously tunable over a 161.7 nm range, a 4-fold enhancement compared to previously reported ACEL fibers. The coaxial winding architecture is compatible with large-scale fabrication, yielding hundred-meter-scale fiber devices with a luminance variation of only 2.76%. The electroluminescent performance remains stable under stringent industrial standards: 10,000 friction cycles, 20 accelerated washing cycles, and 10-day storage at 105 °C and −20 °C. Integration into a smart textile watchband demonstrates real-time heart rate visualization via progress color changes and gesture-controlled color switching, validating its potential as an effective human-computer interface.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4260-5
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4303-7
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4359-0
Organic solar cells (OSCs) require cathode interlayers (CILs) that combine high charge transport, defect passivation, and thickness insensitivity for scalable manufacturing. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel A-D-A-A'-type polymer, PDPP2F-NDI-N, via the green and efficient direct arylation polymerization (DArP) method. The multiple electron-deficient units in the backbone confer strong electron-withdrawing character, effective work function modulation, enhanced built-in potential, high crystallinity, and ordered molecular packing. PDPP2F-NDI-N exhibits a high electron mobility of 1.01 × 10⁻³ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and electrical conductivity of 3.13 × 10⁻³ S m⁻¹, facilitating efficient charge extraction and transport. Its interfacial modification capability suppresses interfacial defects and reduces non-radiative recombination losses. In ternary OSCs, PDPP2F-NDI-N achieves a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.44%, with outstanding thickness insensitivity retaining 92.8% of peak PCE at a 30 nm CIL thickness, and a T80 lifetime exceeding 1700 hours under photo-thermal aging. This work demonstrates that poly(A-D-A-alt-A') backbone design combined with DArP synthesis provides an effective strategy for developing high-performance, thickness-insensitive, and stable polymeric CILs, advancing efficient, stable, and scalable OSC applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4262-7
The escalating demands of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural computing necessitate multifunctional optoelectronic devices capable of integrating sensing, memory, and processing. Two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) offer unique advantages, yet their practical deployment is hindered by complex architectures and inefficient mode-switching. Here, we demonstrate a MoTe2/SnS2 anti-ambipolar heterojunction device enabling single-gate reconfiguration among frequency doubling, broadband photodetection, and neuromorphic computing. The device exhibits a peak-to-valley ratio (PVR) of 465, ensuring efficient frequency doubling. As a photodetector, it operates across an exceptionally broad spectral range of 520–2200 nm, with outstanding responsivity and detectivity. Furthermore, the device emulates complete synaptic behaviors, including short-term plasticity (STP), long-term plasticity (LTP), and paired-pulse facilitation (PPF). Integrated into a reservoir computing (RC) system trained on a vehicle motion dataset, it achieves a directional recognition accuracy of 98.7%. This work establishes a paradigm for multifunctional integration and low-power neuromorphic computing, advancing next-generation intelligent optoelectronic systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4237-x
Silicon-based (Si-based) anodes are core candidates for next-generation high-energy solid-state batteries (SSBs) due to their high theoretical capacity (~4200 mAh g−1). However, their practical application is constrained by the 'size effect', which influences mechanical integrity and electrochemical performance. This review systematically examines the failure mechanisms of nano-silicon (nSi) and micro-silicon (mSi) anodes when paired with sulfide and organic-inorganic composite solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Key functional parameters of these SSEs are discussed, along with strategies to mitigate interfacial impedance and accommodate volume changes. Recent progress in structural and interface modifications is highlighted, including the use of hard-carbon-stabilized Li–Si anodes (achieving stable cycling) and pressure-free operation. The review identifies core challenges, such as achieving intimate solid–solid contact and managing mechanical stress, and outlines future directions for 'size effect' regulation to accelerate commercialization of high-energy Si-based SSBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4112-6
Radiostrontium remediation is crucial for ecological protection and sustainable development of nuclear energy. However, efficient removal of 90Sr from complex radioactive liquid waste, especially under acidic conditions, remains challenging due to material instability and intense proton competition. Herein, the rapid and highly selective capture of Sr2+ in neutral and even acidic solutions has been achieved by a layered potassium phosphatoantimonate KSbP2O8 with excellent radiation and thermal stability. Under neutral conditions, it possesses high maximum adsorption capacity (qmSr = 110.25 mg g−1), rapid adsorption kinetics (the removal rate (RSr) of 91.54% within 30 min), and excellent selectivity for Sr2+, and facile regeneration. Particularly, even under acidic conditions (pH 2.0), KSbP2O8 still maintains excellent Sr2+ removal capacity (qmSr = 79.38 mg g−1), fast kinetics, and high selectivity. A mechanism study by multiple characterizations reveals that the efficient Sr2+ removal of KSbP2O8 mainly stems from ion exchange between Sr2+ and interlayer K+ in KSbP2O8, which is attributed to the synergy between the Sb5+-induced Brønsted acidity and the high charge density of the anionic framework. This study demonstrates the exceptional capability of phosphatoantimonates to selectively capture Sr2+ under acidic conditions, highlighting the potential of phosphatoantimonates as effective scavengers for radiostrontium remediation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3607-9
Enhancing light olefin selectivity and extending catalytic durability remain critical challenges for ZSM-5 zeolites in methanol-to-olefins (MTO) conversion, primarily due to inherent diffusion restrictions along the MFI b-axis and poor coke accommodation. Here, we report a hierarchically single-crystalline ZSM-5 sheet architecture featuring interconnected multiscale porosity and a remarkably reduced b-axis thickness (<50 nm), quantitatively verified by three-dimensional electron tomography. Real-time confocal laser scanning microscopy tracking demonstrated significantly enhanced molecular diffusivity compared to conventional micron-sized ZSM-5 (Micro-ZSM-5). This engineered structure distributes abundant aluminum sites on highly accessible diffusion pathways, achieving an enlarged coke accommodation of 16.31 wt% with a coke deposition rate of 0.59 mg g−1 h−1, only one third of that in Micro-ZSM-5. In continuous MTO operation, the hierarchical ZSM-5 sheet (Hier-ZSM-5-S) maintained an average ethylene and propene selectivity of 63.5% for 22.2 hours (WHSV = 3.6 h−1, T = 480°C), which was 19% higher and 6.5 times longer than Micro-ZSM-5, respectively. This hierarchically shortened b-axis structure establishes a generalizable paradigm for enhanced diffusion and coke accommodation in precisely designed pore systems, applicable to various reactions.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4182-6
Substrate interactions dictate the epitaxial growth of low-dimensional nanomaterials, yet controlling these interfaces at the atomic scale precision remains a critical challenge. Blue phosphorene (blueP) with freestanding lattice constant, experimentally realized exclusively on Ag(111), provides a unique platform to explore this interplay. Here, we elucidate the structural evolution of blueP on Ag(111), revealing that neighboring islands are not isolated but linked by single-phosphorus-atom bridges. To manipulate the interfacial coupling, we introduce a tellurium interlayer, driving the formation of an interfacial AgTe buffer that effectively decouples the islands. By tuning the substrate temperature, we achieve the synthesis of magic-number blueP clusters with uniform size and geometry. The resulting isolated blueP nanostructures facilitate the emergence of higher-order topological corner states in triangular geometries. Our findings demonstrate that tailoring interfacial interactions offers a robust route for reshaping phosphorene nanostructures, establishing essential building blocks for next-generation topological quantum materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4337-2
Silica aerogels are recognized as leading super-insulating materials due to their ultralow thermal conductivity, yet their intrinsic brittleness and poor processability restrict practical deployment in complex industrial and extreme environments. This study introduces a macro-scale 'stiff–soft' synergistic strategy, combining a macroscopically processable, soft-and-tough framework as the load-bearing component with hard-and-brittle polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) aerogels as the insulating component. A pressure-driven assembly process enables viscosity-tunable PMSQ gel inks to be controllably infused into various hollow frameworks, including honeycomb panels, wheat straws, and hollow fibers. Guided by a modified Hagen–Poiseuille model, ink viscosity is precisely matched to the geometric parameters of the hollow structures. The resulting composites achieve compressive strength of 2.5 MPa, flexural strength of 6.25 MPa, and tensile strength of 40 MPa, while maintaining excellent thermal insulation. This versatile and scalable approach offers a new design paradigm for mechanically adaptive silica aerogel composites in thermal management applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3582-9
Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) hold great potential for brain-like neuromorphic computing. However, the development of PQDs-based synaptic devices is hindered by interfacial defects and limited stability. Here, we demonstrate a high-performance Cs2AgBiBr6 QDs/organic single crystal heterojunction synaptic device, fabricated via a novel space-confined vertical growth technique combined with a polymer-free transfer process. Vertically grown organic single crystals enable superior carrier mobility and facilitate the formation of low-defect interfaces with PQDs. The heterojunction exhibits remarkable photosensitivity (7.22 × 10^5 at 425 nm) and detectivity (2.15 × 10^15 Jones), owing to the strong optical absorption of PQDs coupled with the superior charge transport characteristics of organic single crystals. Notably, the device achieves dual-functional light adaptation, emulating synaptic behaviour under blue light while exhibiting photo-switching under green/red light. This unique capability enables smart blue-light hazard protection. This work not only provides a versatile platform for high-performance PQDs-based synaptic devices but also advances the development of brain-inspired neuromorphic systems for next-generation computing and intelligent sensing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3553-7
Gesture interaction has emerged as a highly effective interface for intelligent human-computer interaction, attributed to its intuitive interaction modality and multi-dimensional control capabilities. However, traditional gesture interaction devices often depend on predefined encoding rules, which substantially limit interaction efficiency and degrade user experience. This study introduces an innovative intelligent finger ring interaction system based on a triboelectric nanogenerator utilizing PDMS/SrTiO3 composite thin film (PS-TENG). The system maps freehand writing gestures directly to textual information input, thereby eliminating the need for complex gesture encoding schemes and offering a user-friendly, low-learning-curve input method. By integrating a deep learning model, the system achieves recognition accuracies of 98.21% for English letters, 96.87% for Arabic numerals, and 96.44% for Chinese characters. Furthermore, it supports secure and encrypted data transmission and enables wireless interaction for gaming control. These findings indicate that the intelligent finger ring interaction system possesses significant potential for practical applications in information input and wireless control.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3627-x
Polar exploration demands robotic systems capable of operating at extreme low temperatures, yet existing electronic skins (e-skins) fail due to polymer brittleness and impaired self-healing. Here, we report a supramolecular elastomer strategy that enables highly stretchable, self-healing, and sensitive e-skins functional at −78 °C. The elastomers are based on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) backbone (Tg = −127 °C, Tb = −150 °C) functionalized with kinetically reversible quadruple hydrogen-bonding motifs (2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidone, UPy) in side chains (S-UD) or main chains (M-UD). At −78 °C, S-UD elastomers exhibit superior stretchability, with optimized S-U1.2D0.8 achieving elongation at break of ~3257%, 3.4 times that of PDMS controls and exceeding M-U1.2D0.8 (~2474%). Self-healing efficiency after 24 h at −78 °C reaches ~75.9% for S-UD versus ~34.3% for M-UD, with visual scratch disappearance only in S-UD. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis reveals that S-UD possesses more thermodynamically favorable chain convergence, enhancing cryogenic self-healing. The optimized S-UD elastomer serves as an excellent substrate for constructing ultralow-temperature-tolerant e-skins, addressing a critical bottleneck in polar robotics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3648-2
Transient energy storage devices represent an emerging class of biodegradable power systems that provide temporary energy for implantable medical electronics before safely degrading in vivo. From early transient primary batteries to contemporary rechargeable batteries integrated with wireless charging systems, these devices have evolved to enable stable prolonged power supply. Through rational transient design and structural engineering, they achieve desirable electrochemical performance, tunable degradation rates, and mechanical compatibility with soft, irregular, and dynamic biological tissues. This work provides a critical review of state-of-the-art transient energy storage devices, including transient primary batteries, transient secondary batteries, and transient supercapacitors, with emphasis on their electrodes, electrolytes, encapsulation materials, fabrication processes, and applications. We critically analyze material selection strategies, transient design principles, and architecture design for various transient batteries and capacitors. Finally, we discuss existing challenges and outline future directions to guide the clinical translation of biodegradable power solutions for biomedical implants.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3662-4
Luminescent thermometry has become a research hotspot due to its high spatial resolution, fast response, and non-invasive nature. However, achieving high-performance temperature imaging requires both luminescent materials with high temperature sensitivity and efficient imaging methods, which remains a significant challenge. In this study, a series of pure-phase rubidium germanate phosphors doped with manganese were synthesized and encapsulated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films to improve chemical stability. The dramatic temperature-dependent luminescence behavior of Mn4+ in the Rb2Ge4O9 matrix provides reliable and efficient methods for temperature sensing. The high-sensitivity temperature sensing capability of the Rb2Ge4O9:0.002 Mn4+ fluorescent film has been confirmed, leveraging temperature-dependent emission intensity, luminescence decay lifetime, and time-resolved intensity ratio techniques. Notably, Rb2Ge4O9:Mn4+ fluorescent film exhibits a strikingly high relative sensitivity of 17.03% K−1 at 330 K in the time-resolved thermometry scheme, which is the highest relative temperature sensitivity within the physiological temperature range known to us. High-performance temperature imaging of the fluorescent film is achieved through the time-resolved intensity ratio strategy with a best practical temperature resolution of 0.08 K at 325 K. Furthermore, the temperature images of an operating nickel circuit with a line width of 20 μm under different working currents were recorded, showing a clear circuit microstructure and temperature gradient. These findings pave a novel path for realizing high-performance temperature imaging.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3637-6
Traditional optical fiber communication encryption methods lack sufficient dynamic adaptability and hardware flexibility, while reconfigurable logic gates can overcome this limitation, thereby significantly improving the flexibility of encryption systems. This study reports a reconfigurable optoelectronic logic gate (OELG) system based on hafnium-zirconium oxide (HZO) ferroelectric thin films. Through ultra-low temperature atomic layer deposition technique, the fabricated HZO thin films demonstrate an exceptional pyroelectric coefficient of 1835.91 μC m−2 K−1 and robust multi-level polarization stability, enabling efficient broadband photon-to-current conversion. By leveraging the pyroelectric effect and tunable polarization states, the OELG device achieves dynamic optical signal modulation and logic processing. The OELG device supports five fundamental logic operations (AND, OR, NAND, NOR, NOT) via electrical bias and polarization control, without requiring hardware modifications. The OELG device demonstrates stable performance over 10^9 cycles with no degradation, meeting practical application requirements. Furthermore, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-integrated image encryption-decryption framework was validated, achieving 95.01% recognition accuracy on decrypted data, while unauthorized decryption attempts resulted in significant feature loss. This study addresses security challenges in optical communication networks by proposing an innovative solution that integrates pyroelectric materials with reconfigurable logic gate technology, offering a new pathway to enhance physical-layer security.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3699-1
Dual-atom (DA) catalysts have exhibited great potential in regulating the catalytic performance of CO2 reduction. However, precise construction of DAs on a support remains challenging. Herein, we report the precise immobilization of M-DAs (M = Ru, Rh, Pt) onto the Zr-oxo cluster of a 2D porphyrinic metal-organic framework (2D-Ni-PCN-222) via a dimetallic complex pre-coordination strategy. The resultant M-DAs/2D-Ni-PCN-222 catalysts were applied to CO2 photoreduction using ammonia borane as the H* donor. Under visible light, the optimal catalyst, Ru-DAs/2D-Ni-PCN-222, exhibited a HCOO− production rate of 35.4 mmol g−1 h−1 with nearly 100% selectivity and a turnover frequency of 691 h−1. Kinetic isotope experiments demonstrated that the coupling rate between H* and CO2 governed the production efficiency of HCOO−. In situ experiments and density functional theory calculations disclosed that Ru-DAs with highly delocalized d electrons could accept photogenerated electrons from 2D-Ni-PCN-222 and inject them into inert CO2 molecules. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations revealed that adaptive shortening of Ru–O coordination bonds during CO2 adsorption played a crucial role in facilitating deeper activation and the formation of an optimal η3–O,C,O adsorption mode of CO2. This work provides a precise strategy for constructing dual-atom catalysts on MOFs and elucidates the mechanism of CO2 photoreduction, offering insights for the design of efficient photocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3860-0
Drug detection is critical for public health and security, yet reversible and highly sensitive sensing materials remain scarce. This study presents a novel ionogel sensor material, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)/1-butyl-3-methylimidazole tetrafluoroborate, for reproducible detection of N-methylphenylethylamine (MPEA), a structural analogue of methamphetamine. The ionogel is fabricated by immobilizing a flowable ionic liquid within a PEGDA network via UV curing, preserving ionic mobility for efficient conduction. Integrated on a flexible poly(ethylene naphthalate) substrate, the sensor exhibits over 72.6% transmittance in the visible spectrum, enabling concealed attachment. Utilizing non-covalent interactions, the sensor achieves reproducible MPEA detection at sub-ppb levels at room temperature, with a theoretical detection limit of 317 ppt. It demonstrates high selectivity and consistency. Ionic conductivity was confirmed via current-voltage tests and impedance spectroscopy, and the sensing mechanism was clarified. The device maintains reliable performance under bending, indicating suitability for dynamic environments. With Bluetooth integration for wireless data transmission, the sensor shows strong potential for practical, discreet drug monitoring in real-world applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3805-1
The sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER) at the air electrode impede the practical deployment of fiber zinc-air batteries (FZABs) for wearable electronics. Conventional bifunctional catalysts suffer from an inherent activity trade-off due to the distinct mechanisms of ORR and OER. Here, we propose a spatial decoupling strategy to overcome this limitation by engineering isolated Fe single atoms and Fe–Ir dual-atom pairs on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (Fe/FeIr-NC). In this architecture, Fe single atoms serve as ORR centers, while Fe–Ir pairs with tunable spacing are tailored for OER, enabling complete functional separation and independent optimization. The catalyst exhibits an ORR half-wave potential of 0.91 V and an OER overpotential of 250 mV at 10 mA cm−2, yielding a record-low bifunctional gap (ΔE = 0.57 V) that outperforms all reported single- and dual-atom catalysts. A flexible fiber zinc-air battery based on this catalyst delivers a peak power density of 3920 W kg−1, along with a 1.4-fold increase in energy efficiency and a 2.6-fold extension in cycle life compared to the commercial Pt/C + IrO2 benchmark. This work not only breaks the traditional activity trade-off in bifunctional catalysis but also offers a promising route toward high-performance power sources for wearable electronics.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024092906
Microplastic pollution in rivers and lakes has become a research hotspot, yet studies in Anhui Province have predominantly focused on northern and central regions, leaving southern Anhui under-investigated. This study addresses that gap by examining the Xin'an River in Huangshan City, a typical river in southern Anhui. Surface water and sediment samples were collected in December 2023. In surface water, microplastic concentrations ranged from 350 to 3700 n·m−3, with particles of 0–0.5 mm dominating (33.93%). Fibrous shapes were most prevalent (59.83%), and colored particles accounted for 50.27%. In sediments, concentrations ranged from 25 to 200 n·kg−1, with 0–0.5 mm particles again dominant (49.63%). Fibers comprised 47.08% of sediment microplastics, and white particles accounted for 34.74%. Polymer analysis identified polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the most abundant material (36.61%), followed by polyamide (PA) (23.22%). Source analysis suggests that fibrous microplastics originate primarily from fiber-based products such as clothing, home textiles, and fishing nets. These findings provide essential baseline data for water resource management, pollution assessment, and ecological remediation of the Xin'an River.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024110202
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an environmentally friendly biochemical technology for waste treatment and renewable energy production, yet its methane conversion efficiency remains suboptimal. This study employed flux balance analysis (FBA) to determine the optimal temperature for methane production in AD, and subsequently regulated key flexible nodes in the metabolic pathway to maximize methane flux. At the optimal temperature of 40 °C, up-regulating the acetyl-CoA flexible node increased methane flux by 48.5%, while up-regulating the acetate node increased it by 36.6%. The higher improvement via acetyl-CoA regulation is attributed to the fact that 40 °C is unfavorable for hydrogen-producing acetogenic bacteria, making acetyl-CoA the critical control point. These findings demonstrate that flexible node regulation can overcome the limitations of temperature optimization alone. The FBA methodology provides a reliable, cost-effective approach for optimizing target product yields in AD and other fermentation systems, requiring only input and output measurements to resolve intermediate metabolic fluxes.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024112703
This study investigated air pollution and associated health risks in two underground parking garages located in educational and commercial districts of Nanjing, China. Concentrations of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were monitored. NMHC levels ranged from 0.35–0.55 mg·L−1 (as C) in Garage A and 0.36–1.75 mg·L−1 (as C) in Garage B, peaking during evening rush hours. A total of 23 VOC species were identified, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, dichloromethane, and 1,2-dichloroethane. Benzene series compounds constituted over 90% and 70% of total VOCs (TVOCs) in Garages A and B, respectively. Daily average TVOC concentrations were 146.0 μg·m−3 (weekday) and 49.7 μg·m−3 (weekend) in Garage A, and 2398.1 μg·m−3 and 3401.6 μg·m−3 in Garage B. Maximum CO concentrations reached 10.1 mg·m−3 and 12.6 mg·m−3, exceeding the Chinese indoor standard of 10 mg·m−3 (1-h). NOx levels also exceeded standards. Non-carcinogenic hazard indices (HI) were 0.03 and 0.18, below the EPA threshold of 1. However, carcinogenic risks reached Level II and III, with primary contributors being benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and naphthalene in Garage A, and ethylbenzene, benzene, and 1,2-dichloroethane in Garage B. The findings indicate potential health threats to garage users, necessitating enhanced ventilation and exposure mitigation.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024122501
Fullerene (C60) is an emerging atmospheric pollutant that may influence sulfate formation during haze events. This study investigated the effect of C60 on sulfate production in the gas-phase oxidation of SO2 by H2O2 using a flow tube reactor. Results demonstrated that the presence of C60 significantly increased sulfate yields. Control experiments varying C60 loading, H2O2 concentration, and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation revealed that higher C60 amounts, elevated H2O2 levels, and UV exposure enhanced the promoting effect. Mechanistic investigations via free radical trapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated a pre-adsorption-oxidation pathway. XPS analysis showed electron transfer on the C60 surface, converting adsorbed S(IV) to S(VI), confirming direct participation of C60 in sulfate formation. Radical trapping experiments and model calculations confirmed that C60 promotes the generation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide radicals (·O2−), which are key oxidants driving SO2 conversion to sulfate. The study reveals that C60 particles markedly enhance atmospheric sulfate formation, offering a novel pathway for understanding sulfate generation mechanisms. These findings have implications for air quality modeling and haze mitigation strategies, as C60 may act as a catalytic surface for sulfate production in polluted atmospheres.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225185
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), widely used as an insulating gas in high-voltage electrical equipment, possesses a global warming potential (GWP) 25,200 times that of CO2, necessitating efficient degradation technologies. This study employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate the thermal catalytic degradation of SF6 in a fixed-bed reactor, integrating models for porous media, heat transfer, turbulence, and chemical kinetics. The simulations revealed significant radial non-uniformities in pressure, velocity, temperature, and species concentration distributions, with temperature identified as the dominant factor influencing degradation efficiency. Radial temperature gradients caused uneven reaction rates, with degradation rates near the wall substantially exceeding those at the central axis, thereby reducing overall SF6 conversion. To address this, structural optimizations were implemented, including reducing the reactor tube diameter and incorporating inert porous media with high thermal conductivity at both ends of the catalytic section. These modifications enhanced radial heat transfer, homogenized the temperature field, and improved the uniformity of reaction rates and species concentrations. Parametric studies on inlet gas velocity showed that both excessively low and high flow rates were detrimental: low velocities led to underutilization of the downstream catalyst and increased energy consumption, while high velocities deteriorated heat transfer and exacerbated radial temperature gradients. The optimal inlet velocity range was determined to be 0.4–0.8 m/s for a reactor tube inner diameter of 10 mm, balancing catalyst utilization, energy consumption, and degradation efficiency. This research provides data-driven guidance for the design and scale-up of SF6 catalytic degradation reactors.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3599-5
Layered transition metal tellurides (TMTs) are promising cathode materials for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) due to their graphite-like layered structure and weak van der Waals interactions, which facilitate rapid ion transport. However, their holistic performance—specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability—remains insufficient for practical applications. Here, we report a straightforward NaBH4-assisted chemical etching method to introduce abundant Te vacancies on the surface of Bi2Te3 (denoted H-Bi2Te3). Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that these Te vacancies refine the band structure, enhance electrical conductivity, and significantly reduce the diffusion barrier for Zn2+ ions. Additionally, the vacancies provide increased storage sites for Zn ions. Consequently, H-Bi2Te3 exhibits superior zinc storage performance: a high Zn2+ diffusion coefficient of 3.98×10−11 cm2 s−1, a specific capacity of 325 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, a rate capability of 217 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1, and exceptional cycling stability with 70 mAh g−1 retained after 10,000 cycles at 1 A g−1. This work introduces a novel vacancy defect engineering strategy for TMT-based cathodes in AZIBs and expands the potential applications of vacancy-rich TMT materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3508-3
High-entropy carbides (HECs) are promising candidates for ultrahigh-temperature applications, but their oxidation resistance at temperatures above 2000 °C remains a critical bottleneck. Here, we report a laser-assisted compositional engineering strategy to develop non-equimolar (Zr0.2Ti0.2Ta0.3Cr0.3)C HECs with superior oxidation resistance up to 2500 °C. Using a self-developed laser oxidation platform, we first screened equimolar (Zr0.25Ti0.25Ta0.25Me0.25)C (Me = Hf, W, Nb, Cr, V, Mo) samples at 2500 °C, identifying Cr as a critical element for forming protective oxide scales. Systematic tuning of Cr content revealed that the optimal composition (Zr0.2Ti0.2Ta0.3Cr0.3)C exhibits a dense, crack-free oxide layer composed of molten (Cr, Me)(Ta, Me)O4 and (Ta, Me)2O5 phases embedded with (Zr, Me)O2 crystals, which effectively seal defects and suppress oxygen diffusion. The synergistic effects of these phases lead to a significant reduction in mass gain and oxide layer thickness compared to equimolar counterparts. This work provides a new pathway for designing HECs with long-life oxidation resistance at 2500 °C, enabling their use in extreme environments such as hypersonic vehicle leading edges and rocket nozzle throats.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3737-9
The radar stealth performance of weaponry is crucial to their battlefield survivability, jointly determined by the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) and mechanical properties of microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs). However, conventional MAMs often suffer from narrow EAB and absorption coatings prone to detachment. Herein, inspired by the wing scales of butterfly, we develop a biomimetic concave basalt fiber-reinforced composite (BC-BFRC) that delivers both broadband absorption and superior mechanical performance. Remarkably, the BC-BFRC achieves an EAB (reflection loss < −10 dB) of 14.7 GHz (3.3–18 GHz), which is 26.7% higher than the conventional planar structure (planar BFRC) and covers 91.9% of the S–Ku band. It maintains stable broadband absorption across incidence angles of 0°–45° (reflection loss < −8 dB at 4–18 GHz) and is insensitive to the incident direction. In fact, the broadband absorption originates primarily from impedance gradient between the layers and energy capture induced by the biomimetic concave at bottom. Critically, the composite exhibits a flexural strength of 239.2 MPa, enabled by basalt fiber reinforcement. This work provides a novel biomimetic strategy and feasible pathway for realizing structure-function integration of MAMs, enabling advanced radar stealth and electromagnetic shielding applications.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60640-8
Ethylene (C2H4) in vehicle exhaust is a highly reactive volatile organic compound (VOC) whose photo-oxidation with NOx contributes to the formation of O3 and secondary organic aerosols (SOA), a key precursor of PM2.5. This study designs a novel MgO-supported Ag-Cu bimetallic catalyst and investigates its performance using density functional theory (DFT). The effects of Ag and Cu loading on geometric structure, stability, and reactant adsorption are analyzed, and the catalytic oxidation pathways of C2H4 over AgCu-MgO are elucidated. Results indicate that loading Ag significantly enhances C2H4 adsorption, with a maximum adsorption energy of -1.46 eV, while O2 adsorption remains weak (-0.45 eV). Cu-MgO shows moderate C2H4 adsorption (-0.87 eV at bridge site) but higher O2 adsorption (-0.76 eV). Among 17 AgCu-MgO dual-atom catalyst (DAC) configurations, those with Ag and Cu co-adsorbed at Mg sites are thermodynamically more stable (binding energies below -10 eV). Configurations with Ag and Cu in close proximity enhance co-adsorption of C2H4 and O2. C2H4 oxidation preferentially proceeds via C=C bond cleavage to form *CH3 and CO2. For three representative configurations (1, 3, 6), free energy barriers for rate-limiting steps in the *HCO and CH2O pathway are consistently higher than those for *CH3 and CO2 pathway. Configuration 6 exhibits the lowest energy barrier (0.32 eV) for its rate-limiting step, indicating the highest catalytic performance. This study provides atomic-scale insights for rational design of efficient catalysts targeting olefinic pollutants in automotive emissions.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508052
To improve the performance of pre-dust collectors in biomass boiler flue gas purification systems, a novel channel-steel baffle-type pre-dust collector was proposed to address the low collection efficiency of conventional designs. A gas-solid two-phase flow model was developed within the MP-PIC (multiphase particle-in-cell) framework and validated against physical experiments. The model simulated gas-particle motion inside the collector, systematically investigating the effects of structural modifications, flue gas conditions, and dust properties on collection efficiency and pressure drop. Results indicate that adding a flow baffle in the ash hopper and adopting an upper-inlet flue duct enhance collection efficiency with negligible impact on pressure drop. Flue gas velocity significantly influences performance: increasing velocity reduces efficiency while raising pressure drop; an optimal design velocity of 1.0–2.0 m·s−1 is recommended. Elevated flue gas temperature slightly decreases both efficiency and pressure drop, with minimal impact over a range of tens of degrees Celsius. Higher dust density and larger particle size improve collection efficiency and reduce pressure drop, whereas higher dust concentration increases both efficiency and pressure drop. The study elucidates the mechanisms by which structural and operational parameters affect pre-dust collector performance, providing theoretical guidance for designing low-resistance, high-efficiency collectors for biomass boilers.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025012501
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant posing potential risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study assessed the developmental toxicity of DBP in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos. Embryos were exposed to gradient DBP concentrations (1, 5, 50, 500 μg·L−1, and 5 mg·L−1) for 15 days. Endpoints included embryonic heart rate, hatching time, survival rate, larval swimming behavior, and expression of genes related to cardiovascular, nervous, thyroid, antioxidant systems, and estrogenic effects. Results showed that 5 mg·L−1 DBP significantly reduced embryonic heart rate (P < 0.0001), leading to hatching failure and mortality. Exposure to 500 μg·L−1 DBP significantly reduced hatching rate (P < 0.01) and survival rate (P < 0.0001). DBP exposure caused developmental delay, cardiovascular hemorrhage, spinal curvature, yolk sac edema, and inhibited larval swimming behavior. At the molecular level, DBP significantly altered expression of atrap, dkk1, bnpa, fx, and dvl mRNA, affecting cardiovascular development; downregulated trha, mbp, and elavl3 mRNA, indicating endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity; upregulated cat, gpx2, and gsta mRNA, inducing oxidative stress; and upregulated vtg1, erβ1, and chgl mRNA, demonstrating estrogenic effects. This study demonstrates that DBP exposure adversely affects growth, development, hatching, survival, swimming behavior, and gene expression in Japanese medaka embryos, highlighting ecological risks of DBP pollution in aquatic environments.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025102002
The ultraviolet/chlorine (UV/Cl2) advanced oxidation process generates multiple radical species, enabling synergistic disinfection. However, the systematic influence of UV intensity on process performance remains inadequately characterized. This study investigated UV intensities from 0.25 to 2.0 mW·cm−2, assessing chlorine photolysis kinetics, bacterial inactivation, and disinfection by-product (DBP) formation. Results demonstrate that inactivation efficiency is not solely governed by total UV energy but is co-regulated by reaction kinetics and mass transfer. Increasing UV intensity accelerated chlorine photolysis by 33.7%–277.8%, elevating steady-state concentrations of hydroxyl radicals and chlorine radicals by factors of 1.6–3.8 and 1.3–3.2, respectively, thereby enhancing initial inactivation rates. However, higher intensities reduced cumulative chlorine exposure (CT value) to 14.3%–55.7% of baseline, causing overall inactivation to first increase then decrease. At a fixed UV dose of 150 mJ·cm−2, an intensity of 1.0 mW·cm−2 achieved optimal 6.5-log inactivation of Escherichia coli and the lowest bacterial reactivation rate (0.07%). Common water constituents (HCO3−, Cl−, natural organic matter) inhibited disinfection, with natural organic matter exerting the strongest suppression (2.7-log reduction). Notably, 1.0 mW·cm−2 exhibited the greatest resistance to interference. Elevated intensity reduced total organic halogen formation from 33.7 μg·L−1 to 19.0 μg·L−1. Balancing disinfection efficacy and DBP risk, 1.0 mW·cm−2 is identified as the optimal UV intensity for the UV/Cl2 process in sand-filtered water treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025012302
Phosphorus (P) loss from paddy fields contributes to eutrophication in Chaohu Lake. This study evaluated the effects of novel fertilizers and P reduction on P loss and rice yield. Seven treatments were established: no P (CK), rice-specific fertilizer (ZYF), slow-release blended fertilizer (SRF), Xinjutian compound fertilizer (XJT), enhanced loss-controlled fertilizer (CRF), CRF with 10% P reduction (CRF-10P%), and CRF with 30% P reduction (CRF-30P%). Results showed that novel fertilizers and P reduction significantly reduced concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), dissolved phosphorus (DP), and particulate phosphorus (PP) in surface water and leachate. The first 5 days after basal fertilization and heavy rainfall were high-risk periods for P loss. Rainfall increased TP concentrations by 417.74%–432.86% and 94.85%–351.35% in surface water and leachate, respectively; DP increased by 120.80%–322.44%, and PP by 280.66%–501.77% and 80.23%–297.55%. Compared with ZYF, SRF, XJT, and CRF reduced TP loss by 15.43%–33.95%, with SRF showing the lowest loss. Under P reduction, CRF-10P% and CRF-30P% reduced TP loss by 31.48% and 37.04%, respectively, with CRF-30P% achieving the lowest loss. Notably, CRF-10P% increased rice yield by 22.37% relative to ZYF, indicating that moderate P reduction with enhanced loss-controlled fertilizer can maintain or increase yield while reducing environmental risk. The study concludes that CRF-10P% offers a promising strategy for sustainable rice production in the Chaohu Lake watershed.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605016
BiOX (X=Cl, Br, I) photocatalytic materials were synthesized via a chemical precipitation method. Their structures and properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Results showed that BiOBr exhibits a flower-like nanomicrosphere structure composed of nanosheets, providing a more three-dimensional morphology, larger specific surface area, and moderate light absorption range, resulting in superior visible light absorption. Consequently, BiOBr demonstrated the best photocatalytic degradation of NO under xenon lamp irradiation. The study further investigated the effects of light intensity, NO flow rate, and oxygen presence on the NO degradation performance of BiOBr. Optimal NO removal rate of 58% was achieved under conditions of a light source distance of 15 cm, NO flow rate of 15 mL/min, and in the presence of oxygen. The degradation rate constant for BiOBr was 11×10⁻⁴ min⁻¹, significantly higher than that of BiOCl and BiOI. BiOBr also exhibited good reusability and stability. These findings provide an important experimental basis for the application of BiOBr in the photocatalytic degradation of NO.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3822-y
Precise control over supramolecular chirality and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is achieved through fluorene-content engineering of alkylated fluorene-quinoxaline copolymers. By systematically varying the fluorene ratio, three polymers (F8QX, F8QX-II, F8QX-III) are synthesized and co-assembled with a chiral inducer (R/S-5011). Thermal annealing induces highly ordered, crosslinked superstructures with strong chiroptical activity, where the dissymmetry factor (g_lum) decreases with increasing fluorene content. The optimal system, (F8QX)0.7-(R/S-5011)0.3, achieves a high |g_lum| of 0.52. Structural analyses and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal that lower fluorene ratios facilitate tighter π–π stacking and more efficient chirality amplification. This system further serves as an excellent host for a narrowband multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter (DBN-ICZ) via Förster resonance energy transfer, yielding ternary co-assemblies with narrowband green emission (FWHM = 25 nm) and strong CPL with g_lum of 0.43. Circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) based on (F8QX)0.7-(R/S-5011)0.3-(DBN-ICZ)0.005 exhibit yellow circularly polarized electroluminescence with |g_EL| value of 0.12. This work provides a comprehensive strategy integrating molecular design, hierarchical assembly, and energy transfer toward high-performance chiral optoelectronic materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3786-8
Conventional cancer diagnostic techniques, such as tissue sampling and microscopy, are invasive and prone to misdiagnosis, driving the need for non-invasive, precise alternatives. Chiral biophotonics, exploiting circularly polarized light (CPL), offers unique polarization-selective interactions with biological tissues, enabling higher imaging contrast and molecular-level discrimination. However, current CPL detection technologies are passive and single-mode, lacking dynamic tunability and parallel processing capabilities. Meanwhile, AI-assisted diagnostics rely on separated sensing and computing units, suffering from poor integration and transmission inefficiency. Here, we report a near-infrared (NIR) chiral organic synaptic photodiode with electrically tunable dual-mode operation, enabling simultaneous CPL detection and neuromorphic processing. Under negative bias, the device operates as a highly sensitive CPL detector for chiroptical signal acquisition. Under positive bias, it exhibits history-dependent synaptic behavior with photocurrent dissymmetry factor (g_ph) dynamically tunable up to -0.06. By integrating this device into an optical convolutional neural network (OCNN), we achieved intelligent cancer detection with CPL-based imaging. Experimental results demonstrate that CPL detection accuracy reaches 83%, approaching the theoretical 87%, significantly outperforming natural light detection at 65%. The device enhances image contrast and feature extraction, laying a foundation for intelligent, adaptive diagnostic systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3819-7
Selective solar-driven aerobic oxidation of biomass derivatives into valuable chemicals under ambient conditions is pivotal for sustainable chemical manufacturing but faces challenges from the conflict between O2 activation kinetics and selective C–H bond cleavage. This work demonstrates a spatial decoupling strategy in a precisely-engineered 2D/2D g-C3N4/ZnIn2S4 architecture, where ZnIn2S4 domains selectively activate O2, while adjacent g-C3N4 modulates electron transfer to O2 and tailors 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) binding configuration for selective C–H bond cleavage. This enables efficient selective conversion of HMF to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) via ambient aerobic photooxidation. When used alone, ZnIn2S4 produces mixed reactive oxygen species (·O2−/·OH) due to uncontrolled electron transfer during O2 activation. In-situ spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the 2D/2D heterojunction, driven by its directed electric field, selectively activates O2 into ·O2− at ZnIn2S4 domains while suppressing ·OH generation by moderate electron transfer, mitigating over-oxidation. Adjacent g-C3N4 domains precisely anchor HMF via –OH group interactions, steering selective DFF formation. This spatial decoupling achieves a remarkable HMF-to-DFF photo-conversion rate of 1517.5 μmol g−1 h−1 with 99.4% selectivity under ambient air, outperforming many reported state-of-the-art catalysts and maintaining durable cycling performance. The work establishes a spatial decoupling principle to overcome O2 activation kinetics and site competition thermodynamics, paving the way for advanced catalyst design for sustainable energy and the environment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3814-2
Micro-structured surfaces have attracted increasing attention due to their great potential applications. However, it is still a challenge to continuously fabricate micro-structured surfaces based on thermoplastics by a facile, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly method. Herein, with the help of the extrusion molding method and an elaborately designed mold, micro-grooved fiber (MGF) based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is continuously prepared. Theoretically, infinitely long MGFs with feature sizes down to a few microns can be efficiently fabricated because of the continuous fabrication characteristic of the melt extrusion method. Interestingly, left- and right-handed micro-grooves with different helix angles can be produced by applying twisting at the die exit, and the macroscopically MGF springs can be further fabricated via a self-designed three-dimensional helical enwind device. By regulating wettability, MGF can achieve liquid self-transport on predefined paths. In addition, MGF fabric exhibits rapid evaporation behavior, whose evaporation rate is about 4 times higher than that of the Smooth fiber (SMF) fabric and 2 times higher than that of the most popular commercial quick-drying fabric (i.e., Cool-max fabric). This work proposes a facile and environmentally-friendly method for continuously preparing low-cost and flexible MGF, opening a new pathway to develop fiber-based microfluidic systems following the concept of "functionalized processing for thermoplastics".
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3933-9
The global cold chain consumes vast amounts of energy and emits greenhouse gases, while many regions lack proper refrigeration. To address this, we developed a dual-layer electrospun membrane (PZ-PML) for energy-free fruit preservation. The top PVDF-HFP/ZIF-8 layer offers 97.64% solar reflectance and 92.5% mid-infrared emissivity, providing 70 W/m2 radiative cooling. The bottom PAN/MIL-101/LiCl layer, with 2.18 g/g water uptake at 80% RH, delivers ~156 W/m2 evaporative cooling, lowering surface temperature by 6.1 °C under ~400 W/m2 irradiation. The membrane also shows ≥99% antibacterial efficiency against E. coli and S. aureus. Applied to strawberries, it reduced dehydration to 20.2% after 9 days, compared to 68.2% and 74.4% in controls. Additionally, it demonstrates durability, superhydrophobicity, and UV stability. This scalable solution offers energy-free fruit cooling, reducing postharvest losses while maintaining quality and safety.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3835-0
The development of high-performance CO2 separation membranes is critical for advancing carbon capture technologies. Two-dimensional (2D) material membranes, with tunable interlayer nanochannels functionalized by nanomaterials (e.g., metal ions), are promising for CO2 capture. However, achieving uniform nanomaterial distribution without compromising separation performance remains a challenge. Here, we propose a multifunctional molecular immobilization strategy to fabricate a metal ion intercalated graphene oxide (GO) membrane with enhanced CO2 capture performance. The multifunctional molecule sodium p-aminobenzenesulfonate (SPABS) enables in situ and uniform distribution of Na+ in the interlayer channels of the GO membrane. The amino groups of SPABS undergo nucleophilic addition reactions with epoxy groups on GO sheets, resulting in stable interlayer channels. Meanwhile, the hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups enhance water adsorption capacity in the GO interlayer channels, synergizing with Na+ to form active sites that facilitate fast and selective transport of CO2 over N2. The resulting membrane exhibits enhanced CO2 capture performance. A large-sized membrane (15 cm × 20 cm) fabricated by scalable blade-casting shows reproducible performance. This work provides insights and a tool for tailoring nanochannels of 2D material membranes for molecular separation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3768-8
Damping materials are critical for mitigating vibrations and noise across various frequencies by converting mechanical energy into thermal energy. However, achieving a simultaneous high damping capacity and high toughness remains a formidable challenge. Here, we report a supramolecular polymer (SMP) that integrates high damping and toughness through the synergistic action of dynamic hydrogen bonds and side-chain relaxation. The polymer exhibits exceptional mechanical properties: a Young's modulus of 47.08 MPa, elongation at break of 605%, and toughness of 15.24 MJ m−3. The dynamic hydrogen bonds confer dual responsiveness to strain rate and temperature, with a 6.7-fold variation in Young's modulus under different stretching rates and a five-order-of-magnitude change in storage modulus across a temperature range. Under mechanical force, the interpenetrating side chains undergo mutual friction, enabling repetitive energy dissipation. This mechanism yields superior damping ability with a loss factor (tanδ) of 1.6 at 1 Hz, demonstrating outstanding performance in vibration absorption and noise reduction. The material's design offers a promising strategy for developing high-performance damping materials that balance energy dissipation and mechanical robustness, suitable for applications in wearable electronics, protective equipment, and structural vibration control.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509095
Biotrickling filtration (BTF) is a promising technology for treating volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but its application to hydrophobic alkanes like isohexane is hindered by mass transfer limitations, low degradation efficiency, and high operational costs. To address these bottlenecks, this study developed composite fillers by incorporating biochars derived from coffee grounds (CG), coconut shells (CS), corn cobs (CC), and activated carbon (AC) into a polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate (PVA-SA) hydrogel matrix. The fillers were systematically characterized for water retention, pore structure, surface functional groups, crystalline phase, and acid-base resistance. Adsorption capacity, biofilm formation, and isohexane degradation were evaluated using the strain Rhodococcus ruber ZYH-ZY. Among the composites, CG@PVA-SA exhibited superior performance: water retention of 358 mg·g−1 (vs. 280 mg·g−1 for control), enhanced mesoporosity (specific surface area 4.77 m2·g−1, pore volume 11.46 cm3·kg−1, 10–30% higher than control), and robust acid-base stability (mass loss 21.37% at pH 2 and 31.98% at pH 10). Its saturated adsorption capacity reached 201.02 mg·kg−1 (vs. 114.24 mg·kg−1 for control), and it promoted bacterial colonization with a survival rate of 79.0% (vs. 37.2% for control). Static degradation tests showed 96.59% removal of 10 μL isohexane within 24 h. The abundant polar functional groups and suitable mesoporous structure of coffee ground biochar synergized with the PVA-SA matrix, enhancing water retention, mass transfer, and microbial colonization, thereby significantly improving isohexane purification. CG@PVA-SA is an ideal filler for BTF treatment of alkane VOCs, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for industrial VOC control.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025081103
Nitrous acid (HONO) is a critical precursor of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in the atmosphere, influencing oxidative capacity and secondary pollutant formation. However, model simulations often underestimate HONO concentrations, and its role in nitrate formation remains unclear. This study investigates a typical winter haze episode in Guangzhou (January 2021, peak PM2.5: 243.0 μg·m−3) using observational data and a box model to quantify HONO sources and assess their impact on ·OH and particulate nitrate. HONO concentrations increased from (1.0±1.0) μg·m−3 during clean periods to (9.2±3.8) μg·m−3 during polluted periods, while nitrate rose from (6.4±3.4) to (43.3±20.0) μg·m−3 (6.8-fold). Incorporating seven additional HONO sources improved simulated daytime HONO from (0.3±0.1) to (6.5±2.3) μg·m−3, matching observations. Source apportionment showed direct vehicle emissions dominated (49.7%), followed by heterogeneous photosensitized reaction of NO2 on aerosol surfaces (23.0%), ground surface reaction (10.7%), and nitrate photolysis (8.7%). With optimized HONO, simulated daytime ·OH increased from (0.6±0.3)×10^6 to (1.5±0.8)×10^6 molec·cm−3 (1.2-fold), and nitrate production via ·OH+NO2 increased from (3.4±1.2) to (15.3±8.5) μg·m−3·h−1 (3.5-fold). The simulated-to-observed nitrate ratio improved from 21% to 81%. Sensitivity tests indicated that setting nitrate photolysis enhancement to 100 times gaseous nitric acid yielded better HONO and nitrate simulations. This study underscores the importance of refining HONO sources for accurate simulation of atmospheric oxidation and nitrate formation, aiding pollution control strategies.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025022704
Secondary inorganic aerosols (SNA), comprising sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium, are critical contributors to PM2.5 pollution in the Fenwei Plain, yet their formation mechanisms remain poorly characterized. Wintertime observations in Taiyuan revealed SNA as the dominant PM2.5 component, with a mean mass concentration of 33.19 ± 18.72 μg m−3, accounting for 47.13% of total PM2.5 mass. SNA concentrations increased markedly with pollution severity, but even under relatively clean conditions, SNA maintained a high mass fraction. Diurnal variation and correlation analyses indicated that nitrate formation pathways differed between day and night, largely governed by relative humidity (RH). During daytime, high RH (>55%) facilitated the partitioning of gaseous HNO3 to particulate nitrate. At night, RH positively correlated with nitrate concentration and nitrogen oxidation rate (NOR), with increased aerosol liquid water content (AWC) promoting NO2-to-nitrate conversion. The PM2.5 pH ranged from 4.3 to 5.2, and sulfate formation was primarily driven by H2O2 oxidation, with NO2 oxidation as a secondary pathway. These findings enhance understanding of SNA formation in the Fenwei Plain and provide a scientific basis for air quality policy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3986-2
Organic/molecular ferroelectrics exhibiting spontaneous polarization have attracted increasing attention due to their flexibility, light weight, low-temperature processability, environmental friendliness, and biocompatibility. Among them, organic donor-acceptor cocrystals, self-assembled from two or more components, offer new insights into ferroelectricity. This review systematically examines recent progress in organic donor-acceptor cocrystal ferroelectrics, focusing on microscopic origins of ferroelectricity, structure modulation strategies, and underlying mechanisms. Ferroelectric origin mechanisms, including intermolecular charge transfer, proton transfer, and order-disorder transitions, are analyzed in detail. Structure-property relationships in crystal engineering are summarized, and recent advances in theoretical simulations, experimental characterization techniques, and practical applications are introduced. Finally, current challenges and future research perspectives are outlined. The review highlights that weak intermolecular interactions often lead to low Curie temperatures (Tc), limiting practical applications. Strategies to enhance Tc involve introducing stronger molecular interactions to increase transition energy barriers. Notably, room-temperature ferroelectricity in organic cocrystals has been achieved, as demonstrated by Wiscons et al. (Angew Chem Int Ed, 2018, 57: 9044–9047). The review underscores the potential of organic cocrystal ferroelectrics for flexible and wearable electronics, while addressing the need for higher Tc and robust switching performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3808-x
The uncontrollable Zn dendrites and serious parasitic side reactions of the zinc anode severely impede the practical application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. In this work, a unique strategy of multipoint solvate coordination center is proposed, which anchors Zn2+ and H2O with complex sites to establish an intermolecular connection within the asymmetric solvation structure. A hydrated deep eutectic electrolyte based on multi-site methylurea (MU) with Janus properties is developed, in which Zn2+ and H2O interact with MU through Lewis acid-base and hydrogen bonding interaction, and the regulated asymmetric solvation configuration can guide the (002)-ordered Zn deposition. Simultaneously, a small amount of polyethylene glycol (PEG, Mw=20000) can facilitate homogenous (002) Zn deposition by suppressing Zn2+ transfer kinetics. Benefiting from the rationally regulated solvation structure and PEG molecules adsorbed onto Zn anodes, the side reactions and Zn dendrites are significantly inhibited. As a result, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell delivers outstanding cycling performance over 3900 h (1 mA cm−2, 0.5 mA h cm−2). In addition, the Zn||V2O5 battery maintains 79.2% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1. The results suggest a promising oriented regulation strategy for sustainable aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3944-9
Hard carbon (HC) is a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) but suffers from low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Here, we report a dual-functional strategy combining surface engineering and solution chemical pre-sodiation. A graphitic carbon coating on HC acts as a conductive buffer network and shields surface defects, while sodium biphenyl (Na-Bp) pre-sodiation drives sodium ions into the material via a potential difference, inducing a pre-SEI layer that matures into a thin, dense, NaF-rich inorganic SEI during cycling. This approach compensates for irreversible sodium loss and enhances cycling stability. The pre-sodiated electrode (pCH4-HC) achieves an ICE of 99.5% and a reversible capacity of 321.7 mAh g−1, compared to 54.2% for untreated HC. Long-term cycling shows 74.0% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 300 mA g−1. In full-cells with NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 (NFM) cathode, pCH4-HC||NFM delivers 81.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, demonstrating excellent stability and rate performance. This dual-strategy approach validates the adaptability of pre-sodiation technology for high-performance SIBs.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511078
Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash contains high levels of soluble chlorine and heavy metals, posing environmental risks. This study employed a sequential wet treatment process (water washing–water washing–acid washing–water washing) at a low liquid-to-solid ratio of 2:1 L·kg⁻¹ to enhance the removal of chlorine and heavy metals. Acetic acid and a mixed acid (acetic acid:sulfuric acid molar ratio 1:1) were used as acid washing agents. Results showed that the soluble chlorine content decreased from 23.96% in the raw ash to approximately 0.6%, achieving a removal efficiency of 97.5%. The 3 mol·L⁻¹ acetic acid group exhibited high removal efficiencies for Pb, Cu, and Cd at 52.97%, 29.60%, and 61.54%, respectively, while increasing the stable fraction of heavy metals. However, excessive dissolution of Ca and Al occurred. The mixed acid group demonstrated a 6.9-fold higher 'calcium retention' capacity compared to acetic acid alone, attributed to the presence of sulfate. After treatment, the leaching concentrations of Pb and Zn were significantly reduced to 0.001 mg·L⁻¹ and 0.05 mg·L⁻¹, respectively, meeting the limits of the 'Technical Specification for Pollution Control of MSWI Fly Ash' (HJ 1134—2020). The treated ash exhibited a CaO-SiO₂-MgO-Al₂O₃ system, suitable for building material applications. This study provides technical support for on-site, building-material-oriented disposal of MSWI fly ash.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60653-6
Carbon deposition caused by mass transfer limitations is a key challenge for traditional microporous ZSM-5 zeolites in coal tar catalytic cracking. To address this, benzene was used as a model compound. Parent ZSM-5 (NL-ZSM-5) was modified with tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) to prepare hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites with different mesopore sizes. Characterization (XRD, FT-IR, BET, TEM) confirmed successful mesopore introduction via selective desilication while retaining the MFI structure. At TEAOH concentration of 0.4 mol/L (ZSM-5-C), total pore volume increased from 0.24 to 0.43 cm3/g, and Brønsted acid amount increased from 0.28 to 0.67 mmol/g, with improved acid site accessibility. Catalytic experiments and carbon deposition analysis showed that hierarchical pore structure inhibits coking via a synergistic effect of diffusion enhancement and adsorption-site regulation. The coke amount of ZSM-5-C was 4.0%, only one-third of that of NL-ZSM-5 (11.9%). Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that the diffusion coefficient of benzene in a 3.0 nm mesopore model is an order of magnitude higher than in a 2.0 nm model. Adsorption capacity decreases with increasing mesopore size, shortening residence time. Increasing temperature enhances diffusion but exponentially intensifies surface condensation reactions (Arrhenius effect), which dominates coke formation; hierarchical pores mitigate this negative effect. This research provides a theoretical basis for designing high-efficiency, coke-resistant catalysts for coal tar conversion.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60645-7
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from diverse sources severely impact atmospheric environment and human health. Manganese (Mn)-based catalysts, with exceptional structural diversity and abundant redox versatility, are widely used in catalytic combustion of VOCs. This review summarizes the catalytic performance of various Mn-based catalysts, emphasizing preparation strategies for high-performance materials and systematically analyzing how active site construction influences VOC combustion. Catalytic oxidation mechanisms are expounded in detail. Key aspects include MnOx polymorphs, doping with alkali metals (e.g., K+), transition metal composites (Co, Cu), and noble metal loading (Pt, Pd, Au). Performance metrics such as T90 values, oxygen vacancy concentrations, and specific surface areas are discussed. The review provides insights into deactivation mechanisms and anti-poisoning strategies, offering practical guidance for VOC pollution remediation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3957-y
Developing circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) that simultaneously achieve a high electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (g_EL) and a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) remains a central challenge in polarized optoelectronics. Here, we report a general composite strategy for constructing full-color CP-OLEDs by integrating a 5CB-based chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*-LC) layer with OLEDs based on achiral emitters. The resulting CP-OLEDs exhibit both high polarization purity and high electroluminescence efficiency, with |g_EL| values of up to 1.9, EQEs reaching 26.9%, and Q-factors as high as 0.48. Notably, contrary to the conventional assumption that N*-LC integration causes severe optical losses (>50%) due to Bragg reflection, the EQE of the devices is preserved mainly in this composite architecture. This behavior is attributed to an internal photon-recycling process enabled by the reflection of light within the device structure. To the best of our knowledge, these CP-OLEDs represent the highest comprehensive performance reported to date. Furthermore, the practical utility of these high-performance devices is demonstrated through the encryption and decryption of information based on circularly polarized electroluminescence.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025042304
To characterize the spatial variability of PM2.5 chemical components at the urban scale, ambient PM2.5 samples were collected from eight sites across Changsha, China. Samples were analyzed using ion chromatography, elemental carbon/organic carbon (EC/OC) analysis, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. Results showed that PM2.5 concentrations in urban areas were significantly higher than in suburban locations, with notably elevated levels at Changsha New Railway Station and Mapoling. Across different PM2.5 pollution levels, the eight sites exhibited pronounced spatial differences in concentration while sharing similar chemical compositions. Source apportionment identified secondary nitrate, vehicle emissions, and secondary sulfate as major contributors to PM2.5. The spatial distribution of these sources varied distinctly: secondary nitrate showed lower contributions in central areas but higher in western and southeastern regions; secondary sulfate was more prominent in the southeast, while vehicle emissions contributed more in the southeast and less in the west. Additionally, aerosol liquid water content promoted the secondary formation of nitrate and sulfate, exacerbating PM2.5 pollution. Secondary organic carbon was elevated in areas with high pedestrian density, suggesting enhanced secondary organic aerosol formation under intensive human activity. The study provides insights for targeted pollution control strategies in Changsha and similar cities.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608023
Zinc-containing steel dust sludge, a by-product of steelmaking, contains high levels of chlorine (Cl) along with valuable metals such as Fe, Zn, K, and Na. When recycled into the steel production process, Cl accumulates, causing sintering instability and severe corrosion of blast furnace linings. This study investigated water leaching for Cl removal from zinc-containing steel dust sludge. Under optimal conditions (liquid-to-solid ratio 5 mL/g, temperature 70 °C, time 60 min, rotation speed 160 r/min), the Cl leaching rate reached 87%. Furthermore, a three-stage countercurrent water washing process at a liquid-to-solid ratio of 6 mL/g and room temperature for 45 min achieved a Cl leaching rate exceeding 90%. The water washing also reduced the leaching toxicity of metals in the sludge to a certain extent. Characterization via XRD, SEM, FT-IR, and XPS revealed that water washing primarily dissolved soluble chlorides (NaCl, KCl, etc.), increasing the specific surface area from 2.71 to 10.11 m²/g and average pore size from 12.83 to 16.29 nm. These findings provide theoretical and technical support for efficient Cl removal from zinc-containing steel dust sludge, facilitating its safe resource utilization.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4116-0
The design of solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) for poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based solid-state batteries has largely focused on solvent-affinity of Li+ to generate robust but ionically sluggish LiF-rich layers, inherently compromising transport kinetics. Here, we establish a paradigm based on quantifiable physicochemical descriptors (ionic potential and donor number) to guide the design of amphitropic ion pairs (AIPs). These AIPs are engineered to simultaneously tailor both the solvent-affinity and anion-affinity of Li+: a solvent-philic cation with high ionic potential (Al3+) first sequesters reactive solvents, clearing the path for a high-donor-number, lithium-philic anion (NO3−) to remodel solvation. This rationally guided, sequential mechanism enables the in situ synthesis of a LiF/Li3N heterostructured SEI, where dendrite-suppressing LiF domains are seamlessly integrated with ultra-fast Li3N ion channels. This design heterogeneity effectively enhances stability and kinetics, yielding a robust and highly conductive interface. Consequently, Li|Li cells achieve >2000 h of stable cycling, and Li|LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 full cells surpass 600 cycles.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3968-3
The commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is hindered by stability issues primarily stemming from interfacial defects. This study employed a machine learning (ML) screening approach and constructed a learnable weighted ensemble model (LWEM) to enhance prediction robustness for identifying effective interface passivation materials. The ML model predicted that an imidazolium salt-based interface modifier, 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMT), is suitable for planar n-i-p PSCs. Subsequent experimental results demonstrated that BMT provides synergistic passivation via an 'ion-coordination dual-lock' mechanism that significantly suppresses non-radiative recombination, facilitates hole extraction, and improves the quality of the perovskite film. The BMT-modified devices achieve a significant increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 22.45% to 24.89% under AM 1.5G illumination, and attain a high PCE of 41.31% under 1000 lux light emitting diode (LED) indoor lighting. Additionally, the modified devices exhibit outstanding stability under long-term storage and maximum power point tracking conditions. This work provides a strategy for developing high-performance and highly stable PSCs for both indoor and outdoor applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4145-0
Conductive fibers face a fundamental trade-off between high electrical conductivity and substantial mechanical stretchability, which critically undermines their reliability under extreme or dynamic mechanical conditions. To overcome this challenge, we report a bio-inspired, hierarchically structured conductive fiber engineered by mimicking the parallel-fibril architecture and integrated matrix of skeletal muscle. This fiber is constructed from multiple parallel spandex yarns as the elastic core, a continuous liquid metal (LM) layer as the conductive pathway, and a composite waterborne polyurethane (WPU)/fluoropolymer (FP) sheath as the protective matrix. This unique architecture concurrently delivers exceptional stretchability (>3500%), high electrical conductivity (3.76 × 10^5 S m−1), and outstanding stability against water and mechanical abrasion. Leveraging its excellent conductivity and mechanical compliance, the fiber can be woven into textiles and function as a receiving coil for efficient wireless power transfer. Additionally, a twisted-pair capacitive strain sensor fabricated from this fiber demonstrates a broad, linear response up to 1000% strain. When integrated into garments, the sensor effectively monitors a wide range of physiological activities, from gross joint movements to subtle biological signals, including wrist pulse, vocal vibration, ballistocardiogram, and respiration. This work presents a conductive fiber that integrates high conductivity, ultra-stretchability, waterproofness, and long-term durability, offering a robust material platform and a scalable fabrication strategy for advancing all-weather health-monitoring systems, smart textiles, and next-generation wearable electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3924-x
Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved power conversion efficiencies exceeding 27%, rivaling crystalline silicon photovoltaics. Among device architectures, the inverted p-i-n configuration offers excellent reproducibility, negligible hysteresis, and compatibility with silicon bottom cells, making it promising for scalable tandem integration. As the field shifts toward industrial viability, key challenges focus on interfacial stability, process reproducibility, and large-area manufacturability. The buried interface between the perovskite absorber and charge transport layers dictates nucleation, crystallization, charge extraction, and recombination dynamics. Imperfect interfacial contact or mismatched energy alignment leads to trap states, increased nonradiative recombination, and rapid degradation. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have revolutionized interface control, offering tunable energy levels, minimized parasitic absorption, and reduced defects. However, SAM-based interfaces face scale-up challenges due to molecular aggregation, incomplete coverage, and hydrophobicity, causing nonuniform nucleation and pinhole formation. Co-assembled monolayers (Co-SAMs) have been explored but remain limited to small areas. Addressing this bottleneck, Zhao et al. proposed a 'SAM-in-matrix' strategy embedding SAM molecules within a tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) matrix. This BCF framework disrupts π–π stacking, suppressing aggregation and producing an amorphous, uniform, and highly wettable hole transport layer, potentially enabling scalable manufacturing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4064-1
Bacterial infections and the accelerating rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demand innovative antibacterial strategies beyond conventional antibiotics. Copper single-atom catalysts (Cu-SACs), featuring atomically dispersed active sites and tunable electronic structures, offer potent multimodal catalytic antibacterial functions. This review summarizes recent advances in the design, mechanisms and applications of Cu-SACs in antimicrobial technologies. We first outline four major synthesis routes: thermal activation, solvent-mediated strategies, energy-intensive methods and template-etching approaches, enabling high loading, stable anchoring and scalable, environmentally compatible production. We then dissect the multimodal antibacterial mechanisms of Cu-SACs: functioning as nanozymes to catalyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; acting as photosensitizers to enable photocatalytic and photothermal bactericidal activity; and integrating these pathways with gas therapy, controlled ion release and immune modulation to construct multidimensional antimicrobial networks capable of eradicating drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms. We further discuss the substantial potential of Cu-SACs across three application domains: chemical-free, high-efficiency disinfection and real-time monitoring in water purification; durable self-disinfecting performance in antimicrobial textiles; and precision infection management in biomedical settings through integrated “bactericidal-anti-inflammatory-tissue-repair” therapeutic frameworks for both superficial and deep-tissue infections. Finally, we examine the challenges and future directions for the clinical translation and precise antimicrobial deployment of Cu-SACs, providing a conceptual foundation and practical guidance for advancing atomically engineered antibacterial materials from laboratory research to industrial applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4162-0
The urea oxidation reaction (UOR) offers a low-energy pathway for hydrogen production via water electrolysis, but Ni-based catalysts suffer from Ni self-oxidation reaction (NSOR) that wastes energy and poisons active sites via strong CO2 adsorption. Here, we design MoN/Ni heterostructures to optimize the electronic structure of Ni sites, suppressing NSOR. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirm the formation of electron-rich Mo and electron-deficient Ni active pairs. In-situ spectroscopy, electrochemical tests, and density functional theory calculations reveal that electron-rich Mo sites enhance urea adsorption, while electron-deficient Ni sites prevent NSOR, facilitating urea activation, intermediate conversion, and CO2 desorption. The synergistic effect yields a current density of 100 mA cm−2 at only 1.39 V vs. RHE in 1 M KOH + 0.33 M urea, outperforming many NiOOH-based catalysts. This work introduces a novel high-performance catalyst with electron-rich/electron-deficient active pairs for efficient UOR.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4098-8
Fluorescence image-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) enables real-time monitoring of photosensitizer biodistribution and metabolism for optimized treatment timing. However, its application remains limited by reliance on high-end imaging systems. To address this, we designed three novel small-molecule photosensitizers (TTNb, TTAn, TTPh) based on a 2-vinylbenzoic acid scaffold, functionalized at the 5-position with nitro, amino, or hydrogen groups. Replacing the nitro group with amino or hydrogen switched aggregation behavior from aggregation-induced emission (AIE) to aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), accompanied by a red-to-green fluorescence shift and subcellular relocation from liposomes to lysosomes. These findings establish design principles for ratiometric nitroreductase probes and enable systematic comparison between AIE and ACQ photosensitizers. Among these, TTAn exhibited superior cellular uptake (2800 times higher than Ce6 in Eca-109 cells), specific lysosomal targeting, balanced reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen/superoxide anion) generation, and intense fluorescence. Under white light irradiation, TTAn achieved an IC50 of 21 nM, surpassing Ce6 by 50-fold. Notably, TTAn produced strong fluorescence in mice tumors under both one- and two-photon excitation, detectable using conventional imaging tools (smartphones, DSLR cameras) or even visible to the naked eye, confirming outstanding tumor specificity. Leveraging these advantages, TTAn enabled successful image-guided two-photon PDT in Eca-109 tumor-bearing mice with a single treatment, demonstrating potent therapeutic efficacy and biosafety. This work provides a strategic blueprint for developing small-molecule theranostic agents that operate without complex fluorescence imaging systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4216-7
Flexible Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells are promising for lightweight and mechanically pliable photovoltaics, yet their performance is limited by severe non-radiative recombination and residual stress. Here, we report a sealed constant temperature (SCT) annealing strategy that simultaneously optimizes the CZTSSe/CdS heterojunction and alleviates stress. Under uniform mild thermal conditions (85°C, 5 h), SCT annealing promotes gradient diffusion of Cd2+ into the absorber, partially substituting Zn2+, which optimizes band alignment, passivates interface defects, and suppresses near-interface CuZn defects. This reduces open-circuit voltage loss and improves fill factor. The flexible device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 13.07%, a significant improvement over the reference (12.1%). The SCT strategy also enhances mechanical flexibility by reducing residual stress. Our findings provide a controllable route to advance both efficiency and flexibility of flexible CZTSSe solar cells.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3510-0
The activity and stability of single-atom catalysts (SACs) are intimately associated with the structure of supports. Herein, by employing a van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure support, we construct a highly active and durable Pt SAC for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The unique support consists of monolayer MoS2 attaching on hierarchical N-doped carbon nanocages (hNCNC), on which Pt presents as individual single atoms on the hNCNC and as island-like single-atom layers on the MoS2. The optimized Pt1-MoS2/hNCNC demonstrates low overpotential (11 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and high mass activity (5.6 A mgPt−1 at −20 mV) in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution, outperforming commercial Pt/C. Impressively, the Pt1-MoS2/hNCNC exhibits improved long-term stability in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer relative to commercial Pt/C. The excellent HER performance is attributed to the regulated electronic structure, robust interaction of Pt atoms with MoS2/hNCNC and facilitated charge transfer. This study establishes an innovative strategy to develop a highly active and durable Pt SAC using vdW heterostructure supports.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3476-4
Ammonia synthesis remains dominated by the Haber-Bosch process, which operates at 400–500 °C and 150–300 bar, consumes 1–2% of global energy, and emits ~1.4% of global CO2. Ru-based catalysts supported on carbon and promoted with basic oxides (Ba, Cs, La) exhibit high activity under mild conditions, but conventional designs suffer from a trade-off: BaO domains block Ru active sites while attempting to donate electrons. Lee et al. (Nat Catal, 2025, 8: 248–256) resolved this by using conductive carbon to bridge isolated Ru and BaO domains, enabling long-range H+/e− pair migration. Screening eleven carbon supports, they identified N-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (10–20 nm diameter, N-MWNT-1) with the lowest work function as optimal. At a Ba/Ru molar ratio of 0.75, the catalyst achieved an NH3 production rate 7.4 times higher than conventional BaO-promoted Ru catalysts under 573 K and 1.0 MPa, using high-purity H2 and N2 (99.999%, O2 <0.4 ppm, H2O <0.7 ppm). This design decouples proton and electron storage, preventing BaO-induced blockage of Ru surfaces and enabling superior activity and stability. The Ba-Ru/carbon catalyst offers a transformative pathway for reducing energy consumption and integrating with electrolytic hydrogen production in industrial ammonia synthesis.