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/s40843-026-4425-4
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/s40843-026-4237-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/s40843-025-3648-2
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/s40843-025-3860-0
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.0254-6108.2024122501
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.
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.
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/s40843-025-3819-7
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/s40843-025-3933-9
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.
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)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.
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/s40843-025-3924-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/s40843-025-4162-0
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.