SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4318-5
The development of high-entropy alloy (HEA) electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is constrained by the thermodynamic instability of unconventional crystal phases and the trade-off between activity and durability under acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) conditions. This work demonstrates that crystal-phase engineering, using Au nanowires (NWs) as a crystallographic template, stabilizes a 4H-phase HEA core–shell nanostructure (4H-Au@4H-IrPtNiFeCo NWs) that is otherwise inaccessible via conventional synthesis. The 4H-phase HEA electrocatalyst achieves a current density of 3000 mA cm−2 at 1.90 V and maintains stable operation for over 1200 h at 1000 and 2000 mA cm−2 in a PEMWE device. These device-level metrics indicate that the advantage of the 4H-phase HEA extends beyond half-cell measurements, translating into improved PEMWE performance. The unique combination of unconventional atomic stacking, electronic modulation, multielement synergy, and enhanced thermal stability underpins the enhanced acidic water electrolysis performance. This study positions crystal phase, alongside composition, morphology, and surface structure, as a key design parameter for high-performance HEA catalysts in energy conversion and chemical transformation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4483-x
The referenced literature comprises five peer-reviewed studies published between 2025 and 2026 in Nature Materials, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Nature Communications, and Science China Materials. These works collectively address the persistent trade-off between open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Tao et al. (Nat Mater, 2026) demonstrate that narrow-bandgap nonfullerene acceptors engineered to exhibit low energetic disorder achieve power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 21%, primarily by suppressing non-radiative recombination losses. Westbrook et al. (JACS, 2025) establish that solid-state packing motifs govern exciton delocalization and photophysics in nonfullerene acceptors, providing a structural handle for reducing energetic disorder. Jiang et al. (Nat Commun, 2025) show that photoluminescent delocalized excitons in donor polymers facilitate efficient charge generation, linking exciton coherence to device performance. Zhang et al. (Nat Commun, 2026) employ synergistic steric hindrance and chlorination to realize binary OSCs with low energy loss, achieving high Voc without sacrificing photocurrent. The cumulative findings indicate that molecular design strategies targeting low energetic disorder and controlled solid-state packing can overcome the longstanding efficiency ceiling of ~20% in OPVs. These results have direct implications for the commercial viability of solution-processed, lightweight, and flexible solar cells, though scalability and long-term stability remain to be validated under industrial manufacturing conditions.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4210-6
Achieving low-energy-loss organic solar cells requires precise regulation of energetic disorder and intermolecular packing, which remains challenging at the molecular design level. Here, we report an aza-pyran-type molecular design strategy that integrates a sp3-hybridized nitrogen-centered core with a pyran structural motif to regulate aggregation behavior and energetic disorder in non-fullerene acceptors. Two representative acceptors, D10 and D11, are developed, both exhibiting broadened absorption and high open-circuit voltages, while D10 shows more balanced aggregation and improved long-range molecular ordering. When incorporated as guest acceptors into the PM6:L8-BO system, the optimized ternary device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 19.86% with a high VOC of 0.89 V. Detailed optoelectronic analyses reveal reduced non-radiative energy loss (ΔE3 ≈ 0.23 eV), enhanced electroluminescence quantum efficiency (~1.17 × 10-4), and lowered energetic disorder (EU = 25 meV) in the ternary blends. GIWAXS and charge-transport studies further demonstrate that the introduction of D10 promotes enlarged crystalline domains and more ordered π-π stacking, facilitating balanced carrier transport and suppressed recombination. This work establishes an effective molecular design paradigm that links aza-pyran molecular engineering with energy-loss management, providing new insights into the development of high-efficiency, low-energy-loss organic solar cells.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4323-8
Sulfur-based batteries are promising for next-generation energy storage due to high theoretical capacity, natural abundance, and low cost of sulfur cathodes. However, practical implementation is impeded by sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, dissolution and migration of intermediate polysulfides, and formation of insulating discharge products. Conventional catalyst design focuses on charge distribution, adsorption energetics, and structural confinement, yet these approaches incompletely describe the complex electronic processes governing sulfur conversion. Electron spin, an intrinsic quantum degree of freedom, offers an additional dimension for modulating catalytic behavior via its influence on electronic structure and orbital interactions at catalytic interfaces. In spin-polarized systems, changes in occupation and splitting of transition-metal d orbitals can regulate d-p hybridization with sulfur species, affecting interfacial charge transfer and energetics of sulfur redox reactions. This review summarizes recent progress in elucidating and manipulating electron spin in sulfur-based battery systems. Fundamental principles connecting spin states with electronic structure and catalytic behavior are outlined, followed by experimental approaches for probing spin-related electronic properties using spectroscopic and magnetic characterization techniques. Emerging strategies for spin regulation are highlighted, including heteroatom doping, defect engineering, coordination environment modulation, chirality-induced spin selectivity, and external magnetic-field control. Remaining challenges in identifying spin effects under realistic electrochemical conditions are addressed, along with opportunities for integrating spin-related descriptors into catalyst design. Establishing quantitative relationships between spin polarization, orbital hybridization, and sulfur reaction pathways may provide new perspectives for high-performance sulfur-based batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4366-1
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved remarkable power conversion efficiencies, yet their operational stability remains a critical bottleneck for commercialization. Strain at the buried interface, induced by thermal expansion mismatches and lattice distortions during annealing, is a major contributor to performance degradation. This work introduces a meltable additive-enabled liquid medium annealing (LMA) strategy to dynamically regulate strain in situ. By employing a liquid medium that melts at elevated temperatures, the annealing process provides a compliant environment that alleviates residual strain at the buried interface. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy and high-angle annular dark-field imaging reveal improved interfacial contact and reduced lattice distortion. Modulus mapping indicates enhanced mechanical uniformity, while molecular dynamics simulations corroborate the strain-relief mechanism. The d-spacing variation of the (001) facet upon heating at 85 °C is significantly suppressed, indicating superior thermal stability. Under diurnal cycling (12 h maximum power point tracking at 85 °C and 12 h dark at room temperature), the target devices exhibit enhanced stability, retaining a higher fraction of their initial performance compared to controls. This work underscores the importance of phase engineering during annealing and opens a new avenue for strain management in perovskite photovoltaics and beyond.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4429-9
The capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from dilute streams, such as ambient air or flue gas, is a critical step toward mitigating anthropogenic emissions. While metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) featuring zinc-hydroxide (Zn–OH) sites have shown promise for CO2 binding through bicarbonate formation, their performance is often limited by the spatial arrangement of these active sites. In this work, we demonstrate a reticular chemistry strategy to program the spatial relationship among Zn–OH sites within a shared cavity, moving beyond simple surface area or site density optimization. By designing two isoreticular MOFs, NU-6000 and NU-6001, with distinct pore environments, we achieve differential CO2 adsorption behaviors. Notably, NU-6000-OH, which features a confined cage structure, exhibits significantly enhanced CO2 uptake at low pressures (0.4 mbar) compared to NU-6001-OH, with a site efficiency that surpasses representative MOFs. Structural characterization, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, reveals the formation of Zn-bound bicarbonate species, confirming the cooperative binding mechanism. This work highlights the importance of the second coordination sphere in governing molecular recognition and suggests that programmed microenvironments could be extended to catalytic applications, such as CO2 reduction, where intermediate stabilization and proton transfer are crucial. Our findings establish reticular chemistry as a powerful tool for engineering local chemical environments, offering a pathway to design advanced sorbents and catalysts with tailored functionalities.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4397-4
The development of implantable bioelectronics faces critical trade-offs between mechanical compliance, electrical stability, and tissue adhesion. Here, we introduce ElHyX, a fully printable integrated system that combines ultrahigh stretchability, durable wet-tissue adhesion, strain-insensitive conductivity, and multimodal sensing-therapy feedback. The molecular covalent bonding design fundamentally eliminates the mechanical and electrical trade-offs of traditional soft conductive materials. Ex-vivo organ tests and long-term rodent implantation experiments verify stable working performance, favorable biocompatibility, and unique autonomous intervention capability. Specifically, the elastomer-hydrogel biphasic architecture achieves strain-insensitive conductivity with relative resistance changes below 5% over 1,000 cycles at 200% strain. The hydrogel component exhibits enhanced adhesion on porcine skin due to ionic crosslinks, maintaining performance after swelling. The integrated device enables closed-loop blood glucose management in diabetic rats, sensing glucose and heart rate to trigger vagus nerve stimulation for insulin modulation. Although unresolved problems exist in long-term in-vivo stability, wireless integration, and biodegradability, ElHyX provides a universal modular manufacturing framework for next-generation implantable bioelectronics. Further targeted optimization of material formulation, packaging technology, and closed-loop algorithms will accelerate industrialization and clinical translation of minimally invasive intelligent diagnostic and therapeutic implants.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3651-1
The pursuit of efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) has been significantly advanced by thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials, particularly those employing multiple-resonance (MR) effects. However, achieving small singlet–triplet energy gaps (ΔE_ST) in MR-TADF emitters remains a critical challenge. This work introduces a fundamental design principle based on multiple-excitation configurations to reduce ΔE_ST. In the single-excitation case, both S1 and T1 states are described by a simple HOMO→LUMO excitation, leading to a large exchange energy (2K_HL). In contrast, the multiple-excitation case incorporates electronic interaction between singlet configurations (1Φ_H→L and 1Φ_H→L+1), which lowers the S1 energy and reduces ΔE_ST. The authors propose an empirical expression ΔE_ST ≈ f(2K_HL, ΔE_LUMO–LUMO+1) and validate it using a test set of MR-type emitters. For the representative emitter IV-DABNA, excited-state energies and difference densities calculated at the STEOM-DLPNO-CCSD level reveal the contributions of excitation configurations to S1 and T1 states. This work provides a new avenue for molecular engineering of MR-TADF emitters, potentially stimulating renewed interest in excited-state design principles for future OLED technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3557-3
The commercialization of perovskite solar modules (PSMs) is hindered by the challenge of achieving uniform, high-quality perovskite films over large areas with scalable manufacturing methods. While the laminar air drying (LAD) method has demonstrated high manufacturing efficiency and module performance, the geometric design of the drying apparatus is critical for uniform and efficient drying. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in perovskite crystallization and film formation, emphasizing the role of drying kinetics in determining film quality. We analyze the LAD method reported by Yan et al., which achieved square meter-sized modules with excellent efficiency and stability, and contrast it with alternative scalable deposition techniques such as air knife and vacuum flash-assisted methods. The operational lifetimes of perovskite modules (~9 years) remain below those of silicon modules (~15 years) and PV modules (>20 years), underscoring the need for improved stability. We discuss the fundamental aspects of crystallization in nanocrystals, single crystals, and thin films, and the influence of vertical orientation in 2D perovskites. The review highlights the importance of process control in scalable deposition, particularly the role of airflow uniformity in preventing cracking and defects. Our analysis provides a framework for optimizing LAD parameters to achieve high-quality films, addressing the critical bottleneck of scalability and stability for perovskite photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3735-x
The stability of organic solar cells (OSCs) is a critical bottleneck for their commercialization. This study introduces a low-free-energy, two-state (LF-TSB) model to describe the re-entrant phase behavior observed in blends of small molecule acceptors (SMAs) and semiconducting polymers. The model integrates molecular rigidity (glass transition temperature, T_g), side-chain architecture (effective monomeric volume), and molecular symmetry (configurational entropy) to predict phase diagrams. Experimental validation using SMA:polymer blends demonstrates that suppressed driving force for phase separation, achieved by modulating these molecular parameters, leads to superior thermal stability. For instance, blends with reduced molecular rigidity and optimized side-chain volume exhibit stable morphology over extended thermal stress. The model also explains the re-entrant phase transition, where a homogeneous blend becomes unstable at intermediate temperatures but re-stabilizes at higher temperatures, enabling multi-step annealing strategies to trap beneficial morphological states. While the LF-TSB model shows predictive potential, challenges remain in determining new parameters (e.g., effective monomeric volume, flexing energy) a priori for novel systems, and its applicability to other blend types (polymer-polymer, small molecule-small molecule, hydrogels) requires further exploration. This work provides new guidelines for designing stable OSCs by rationally tailoring molecular parameters to achieve desired phase morphology.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3832-2
The advancement of lead-free perovskite photovoltaics, particularly tin-based devices, has been hindered by interfacial instability and energetic mismatches at the buried interface. This study, building on the foundational work of Qi and co-workers, establishes a clear paradigm: the path to stable, lead-free perovskite photovoltaics depends not only on material composition but also on interfacial engineering at the molecular scale. By transforming a historically problematic buried interface into a structurally coherent and energetically optimized contact, the research sets a new benchmark for tin-based devices. The work demonstrates that molecular design of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on nickel oxide (NiOx) hole transport layers can significantly enhance device performance and stability. Specifically, the use of phosphonic acid-based SAMs, such as MBP, results in improved surface wettability, reduced contact angle with the perovskite precursor, and superior current density-voltage characteristics. The findings underscore the critical role of interfacial chemistry in achieving high-efficiency, durable tin perovskite solar cells. This research brings perovskite solar cells closer to the long-sought balance of sustainability, efficiency, and durability, essential for real-world adoption. The study also highlights the importance of replacing acidic PEDOT:PSS with non-acidic alternatives to prevent device degradation. Overall, this work provides a comprehensive strategy for interfacial engineering that can be universally applied to other perovskite systems, paving the way for commercial viability of lead-free perovskite photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3811-6
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical bottleneck in electrochemical water splitting, yet the stability of supported OER electrocatalysts under industrial conditions remains a formidable challenge. Here, we report an ultrastable supported OER electrocatalyst fabricated via a ripening-induced embedding strategy. This approach leverages controlled Ostwald ripening to embed catalytically active nanoparticles into a conductive oxide support, dramatically enhancing mechanical and electrochemical adhesion. The resulting catalyst exhibits an overpotential of only 245 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH, with negligible degradation after 1000 hours of continuous operation at 100 mA cm−2, representing a 50-fold improvement in durability compared to conventional supported catalysts. Structural analyses reveal that the embedded architecture mitigates nanoparticle detachment and coalescence, preserving a high electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of 85 m² g−1. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates exceptional performance in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, achieving a cell voltage of 1.72 V at 1 A cm−2 with a decay rate of only 0.12 mV h−1 over 500 hours. This work provides a generalizable route to design robust OER electrocatalysts for industrial-scale water electrolysis, addressing the critical stability bottleneck that has hindered the deployment of renewable hydrogen production.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3896-7
Conventional haptic interfaces are constrained by rigid mechanical structures, limiting wearability and multimodal feedback. This study presents a skin-attachable haptic device based on a serpentine shape memory alloy (SMA) structure, addressing these bottlenecks through material and design innovation. Nitinol was micromachined via ultraviolet laser into a serpentine geometry, integrated with four actuators in an opposed layout around a central UV-cured probe. The system, encapsulated in a 3D-printed flexible finger cap, enables multimodal actuation: single-set activation produces lateral traction, two adjacent sets yield diagonal sliding, cyclic four-set activation induces rotation, and full activation simulates normal press, generating 11 distinct tactile modes. Wireless control via an ESP32 WROOM module (WiFi) eliminates cables. Safety is ensured by limiting driving current to 0.8 A and single-drive duration to 0.1 s, keeping skin contact temperature below 36°C. Experimental results show stable tactile forces of 0.5–0.85 N (exceeding the 0.1 N finger threshold) with response times ≤0.5 s. Durability tests demonstrated >95% displacement retention after 100 cycles at conventional frequency, with reversible high-frequency decay. Subject tests achieved 100% recognition accuracy for low-frequency patterns. Practical validation in VR interaction, navigation, and assistive technology confirmed utility, including millimetre-level positioning accuracy and target location by blindfolded users in under 15 s. This work provides a lightweight, wireless, multimodal haptic paradigm, though cooling efficiency and material fatigue require further optimization.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511011
The high cost of catalysts is a critical barrier to the upgrading and cost reduction of catalytic ozonation technology. This study developed a low-cost, long-life Fe–Mn-based ozone catalyst (FMG) derived from solid wastes (red mud and blast-furnace slag), leveraging iron and manganese components to construct dual active centers. A continuous manufacturing process was achieved by integrating alkali-activated cementitious reactions with disc pelletization via a cascade spray-coating and multi-stage curing technique. Under optimal conditions (ozone dosage 3.5 mg·L−1), the catalyst achieved 81.81% total organic carbon (TOC) removal of phenol solution within 60 min, retaining 87.27% of its initial activity after 15 reuse cycles. Long-term continuous-flow tests over 60 days demonstrated stable TOC removal between 69.44% and 75.46%. The production cost of FMG was 1,351.44 CNY·t−1, and the unit TOC removal cost was only 0.06 CNY·(g TOC)−1, representing a 78.69%–86.85% reduction compared to commercial catalysts (0.30–0.48 CNY·(g TOC)−1). This work provides a theoretical and technical foundation for cost-effective catalytic ozonation and high-value conversion of bulk solid wastes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4411-4
Wearable medical monitoring devices require conformal, long-term tissue integration, yet conventional rigid electronics fail to accommodate dynamic tissue deformation. This highlight examines the structural regulation logic of slidable van der Waals (vdW) layers as an instructive design paradigm for flexible bioelectronic materials. The approach leverages weak interlayer interactions to enable adaptive sliding, reducing interfacial stress and enhancing mechanical compliance. Key advances include spray-based fabrication, which offers scalability and cost-effectiveness for industrial translation. The strategy addresses bottlenecks in deep-tissue dynamic physiological monitoring, where existing interfaces suffer from mechanical mismatch and signal degradation. By tuning mechanical performance, enabling low-cost mass manufacturing, and integrating multi-hardware systems, this interface strategy promises to accelerate the transition from laboratory prototypes to clinical and consumer wearable devices. The highlight synthesizes recent literature, including a movable long-term implantable soft microfibre (Nature, 2025) and drawn-on-skin electronic tattoos (Sci Adv, 2026), to contextualize the vdW sliding approach. Quantitative metrics from these studies—such as mechanical compliance, operational stability, and fabrication throughput—are discussed to underscore industrial viability. The findings suggest that vdW layer sliding can be engineered to achieve fatigue resistance and conformal contact, critical for chronic implantation. This work provides a framework for designing next-generation bioelectronic interfaces, with implications for personalized medicine and remote health monitoring.