SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4201-0
Open fracture fixation faces dual critical challenges: bacterial infection and impaired bone healing. This study presents a rationally designed biomacromolecular network coating (Ti-GOED) on titanium alloy bone plates to simultaneously address these issues. The coating integrates antimicrobial and osteogenic components, achieving an optimal balance between antibacterial efficacy and biocompatibility. In vitro assays demonstrated that Ti-GOED eliminates over 99% of common pathogenic bacteria by inhibiting peptidoglycan synthesis, disrupting bacterial cell wall formation, compromising membrane integrity, and leading to intracellular DNA leakage and bacterial death. Concurrently, Ti-GOED enhances the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) via activation of the PI3K-Akt and HIF-1 signaling pathways. In vivo animal experiments confirmed strong antibacterial and osteogenic properties. This work provides a strategy for developing antibacterial coatings on medical devices, with significant potential for preventing and treating infections post-fracture fixation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4385-1
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are effective hole-selective contacts for inverted perovskite solar cells, but scalable deposition on rough substrates is hindered by molecular aggregation, disordered packing, and incomplete adsorption. We propose a hybrid strategy incorporating 4-(Piperidin-4-yl)butanoic acid hydrochloride (PBACl) into the 4PABCz solution during dip-coating. PBACl suppresses aggregation via hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions, yielding homogeneous coverage and improved wettability. The piperidine and carboxyl groups passivate buried interfacial defects through hydrogen bonding and coordination with perovskites. Small-area cells achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.09%, while a 5 cm × 5 cm mini-module (aperture area 14.4 cm²) delivers 23.29% PCE. Encapsulated devices retain 80% of initial PCE after 1350 h maximum power point tracking under continuous illumination. This ion modulation strategy bridges molecular-level interface control with scalable processing, offering a pathway to industrially relevant perovskite photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3722-3
Magnesium alloys are promising biodegradable bone implant materials due to their biocompatibility and mechanical compatibility, but rapid degradation and postoperative bacterial infection limit clinical application. Here, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PD) composite coatings (ZIF-8@PD) were fabricated in situ on micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coated AZ31 alloys via two-step and one-step (OS) methods. The MAO/ZIF-8@PD and MAO/ZIF-8@PD (OS) coatings reduced corrosion current density by three and two orders of magnitude, respectively, compared to MAO coating, due to the physical barrier of the 2D-co-3D MOF structure. Under 808 nm near-infrared laser irradiation, photothermal and photodynamic effects from PD, combined with contact killing by released Zn2+ ions, achieved bactericidal rates ≥99.5% against E. coli and S. aureus. Photothermal conversion efficiencies were 44.01% and 48.57% for the two-step and one-step coatings, respectively. The distinct Zn2+ sources led to different 2D-co-3D MOF structures, influencing degradation and antibacterial behavior. These coatings offer a strategy to enhance corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity of Mg alloys for biomedical applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3678-1
Reed membrane, a natural cellulosic material traditionally used in musical instruments, holds promise in flexible electronics due to its abundance, low cost, and excellent biocompatibility. However, its native form contains water-soluble ions and lipid-soluble waxes that hinder performance in acoustic and electronics by compromising electrical insulation and mechanical stability. Here, supercritical fluid superposition purification (SCSP-WA) is introduced, which utilizes supercritical CO2 with water and acetone as bipolar co-solvents to selectively remove these impurities. Post-SCSP-WA treatment, the reed membrane exhibits significant enhancements in mechanical strength and electrical insulation, achieving a 4-fold increase in elongation at break, improved tensile strength and Young’s modulus, and a 98.5% reduction in leakage current, all while maintaining low and stable capacitance. These improvements stem from the restructuring of the fibrous network into a porous, interconnected microstructure. Material characterization (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) confirmed the effective removal of magnesium and waxy functional groups, along with enhanced fiber crosslinking. Cytotoxicity tests further validated the biocompatibility of the SCSP-WA-treated membranes. This environmentally sustainable approach expands the potential of reed membranes in flexible bioelectronics and bio-integrated acoustic systems.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024122402
Carbamazepine (CBZ), a typical emerging contaminant, poses significant environmental and health risks due to its frequent detection, high toxicity, and resistance to conventional degradation. This study synthesized a composite material (PH-BC3-600) via high-temperature pyrolysis of mining waste pyrite and discarded Polygonatum kingianum dregs biochar. The composite was employed to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for CBZ degradation. Results demonstrated that biochar incorporation provided pyrite with more active sites, achieving 88.19% removal of 2.5 mg·L−1 CBZ within 5 minutes, with excellent resistance to Cl−, NO3−, and humic acid. Quenching experiments confirmed the involvement of ·OH, SO4·−, 1O2, and e− in the degradation process. The biochar increased the content of highly reductive sulfur species (S2−, S2−2, Sn2−) in PH-BC3-600, facilitating the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) and thereby enhancing PMS activation. Additionally, PH-BC3-600 exhibited lower iron leaching compared to traditional pyrite-based materials, overcoming a key drawback of conventional catalysts. This study highlights the promising potential of PH-BC3-600 for activating PMS in the treatment of emerging contaminants in water.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506084
Groundwater is a vital drinking and irrigation source in the loess regions of northwestern China. In Guyuan, a densely populated area in southern Ningxia, systematic assessments of groundwater pollution risks are lacking. This study collected 60 groundwater samples and employed the Nemerow index, heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and health risk assessment models to evaluate pollution levels and health risks of eight elements including Cr, As, and Hg. Results show that the groundwater is generally Class IV quality, with a mean TDS of 1350.9 mg·L−1. Average concentrations of As, Cr, and Mn are 4.39, 29.87, and 45.77 μg·L−1, respectively. The Nemerow index indicates moderate pollution. The mean HPI is 10.56, but a local sample (PS1-51-下) reaches 36.15, indicating severe pollution. Health risk assessment reveals that carcinogenic risks from Cr and As for adults and children are 8.037×10−6 a−1 and 3.863×10−6 a−1, respectively, below US EPA limits but above recommended levels by Swedish and Dutch agencies, with children at higher risk. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and principal component analysis suggest that groundwater is primarily recharged by atmospheric precipitation. Cr, Zn, and Mn mainly originate from regional copper ore belts, coal mining, and agricultural activities. This study fills a gap in multidimensional groundwater assessment in populated loess areas, identifies pollution characteristics distinct from typical loess regions, and provides a scientific basis for regional water resource risk management and sustainable development.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3650-6
Aggregation-induced emission active chiral polymer dots (AIE@CPdots) are emerging as high-performance emission layers (EMLs) for circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) due to their persistent emission stability, high photoluminescence quantum yields, excellent solution processability, facile functionalization, tunable bandgap-governed emission, and superior device processability. However, reports on such systems remain scarce. In this study, a pair of chiral conjugated polymer enantiomers (R/S-PFC) was synthesized via Suzuki polymerization using three monomers: a chiral binaphthalene moiety, a fluorenyl linker, and an AIE-active cyanostyrene dye. After annealing at 110 °C, the resulting R/S-PFC self-assembled into chiral nanoparticles (AIE@CPdots) in a chloroform/n-hexane mixed solvent (9:1 v/v), exhibiting enhanced circularly polarized luminescence with a luminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_lum|) of 4.4 × 10⁻³ at 462 nm. Notably, AIE@CPdots served as the EML in CP-OLEDs, achieving high-performance circularly polarized electroluminescence with an electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_EL|) of 3.0 × 10⁻³ at 464 nm, a maximum luminance (L_max) of 6022 cd m⁻², and a maximum current efficiency (CE_max) of 1.10 cd A⁻¹. This work provides a novel strategy for designing superior EML materials for CP-OLEDs via chiral self-assembled AIE@CPdots.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60636-6
Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (DMMx) are promising clean diesel additives. Compared to the traditional aldol condensation route, the one-step oxidative method for producing DMMx directly from methanol is a green synthesis route offering significant advantages. However, due to the complexity of the reaction, a balance must be struck between oxidation depth and C–O chain growth efficiency. This imposes specific requirements on the design of catalysts with multifunctional active sites: the catalyst should possess appropriate oxidative activity, suitable acid strength distribution, and effective synergy between these two functions. To address these challenges, this study designed a sulfuric acid-modified molybdenum-doped NASICON catalyst, which demonstrated favorable catalytic performance in the one-step oxidative synthesis of DMMx from methanol. Over the NSC-Mo-0.5-30% catalyst, methanol conversion rate of 81.3% and the DMMx selectivity of 58.7% were achieved, along with the formation of heavier molecules, as evidenced by the DMM2–6 selectivity of 11.3%. The NH3-TPD, Py-IR and XPS results indicate that the introduction of molybdenum increases the number of weak Lewis acid sites, while sulfuric acid impregnation not only generates gradient-distributed Brønsted acid sites but also promotes the formation of Mo5+/Mo6+ redox pairs. The cooperation of the two types of active sites significantly enhances catalyst performance.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025021101
This study investigated the toxic effects of intrauterine benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) exposure on pancreatic development and glucose metabolism in first-generation offspring rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into control and treatment groups receiving 200, 800, or 1600 μg·kg−1 BaP via daily oral gavage during gestation until delivery. Pancreatic histology was assessed in offspring at postnatal day 2 and week 12. Protein and mRNA expression of pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) were quantified. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (IPITT) were performed at week 12. Results showed that exposure to 800 and 1600 μg·kg−1 BaP caused dose-dependent pancreatic damage, with more severe islet morphological disruption and reduced islet area, which did not improve with age. PDX-1 and TFAM expression levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner at both time points. At week 12, the 1600 μg·kg−1 group exhibited pre-diabetic symptoms, including elevated blood glucose and insulin levels, and impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. These findings indicate that intrauterine BaP exposure leads to persistent pancreatic developmental impairment and glucose metabolism disorders, potentially mediated by downregulation of PDX-1 and TFAM, with no recovery over time.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025051802
This study investigates the recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from anaerobic digestion biogas slurry of chicken manure via magnesium-modified zeolite coupled with electrochemical precipitation crystallization. Three types of magnesium-modified zeolites were prepared using alkali activation and magnesium loading to enhance adsorption capacity. A coupled 'magnesium-modified zeolite-electrochemical MAP' reactor was constructed, and key parameters (N/P ratio, pH, current density) were optimized via response surface methodology. The results show that MgCl2-modified zeolite (MgCl2-ZO) exhibited the best coupling precipitation performance. Under optimal conditions (N/P ratio 3.78, pH 8.43, current density 13.11 A·m−2), the removal efficiencies for total nitrogen (TN), total ammonium nitrogen (TAN), total phosphorus (TP), and total phosphate (TPS) reached 54.84%, 62.93%, 82.02%, and 77.72%, respectively. The mechanism involves synergistic adsorption and electrochemical release of Mg2+ from the magnesium electrode, which promotes struvite crystallization. The electrochemical field enhances ion exchange and chemical precipitation on the zeolite surface, facilitating efficient nutrient recovery. This approach offers a promising solution for nutrient management in livestock wastewater.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608022
Since the first domestic sludge incineration project was commissioned at Shanghai's Shidongkou Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2004, sludge mono-incineration has been progressively adopted in economically developed Chinese cities. However, decentralized planning of wastewater treatment facilities and variable sludge characteristics complicate the centralized design and operation of incineration plants. This study, based on the planning and engineering design of a sludge incineration plant in Qingdao, analyzes sludge from major municipal wastewater treatment plants, which differ significantly in moisture and organic content due to varying influent characteristics and treatment processes. An energy balance model was constructed using data on sludge moisture and organic content, leading to a sludge allocation scheme and a simplified cost calculation method for heterogeneous sludge. This supports differentiated pricing and rational distribution in drying and incineration projects. Additionally, comparing conventional dewatering (to 76% moisture) and deep dewatering (to 65% moisture) from a "wastewater treatment plant + incineration" perspective, the study evaluates full-process costs and carbon emissions. Results show that deep dewatering increases dewatering costs and emissions but reduces transport and incineration costs and emissions, yielding lower total costs and emissions. The findings provide a basis for optimizing municipal sludge treatment planning and process selection.
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.