SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3596-2
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have shown great promise in the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) due to their tunable composition and unique physical and chemical properties. However, the role of HEAs in CO2RR and the underlying reaction mechanism remain underexplored, particularly through in situ techniques. In this work, we investigate the mechanism of CO2 reduction on AuAgCuPdPt HEAs using in situ Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to reveal key intermediates and reaction pathways. Our results demonstrate that within the potential window of −0.2 to −0.7 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), the AuAgCuPdPt HEAs efficiently reduce CO2 to CO, achieving a Faradaic efficiency (FE) for CO greater than 90%, with a peak FE of 96.5% at −0.3 V vs. RHE. The CO2− intermediate was observed at low potentials, revealing the reaction pathway in the CO2 reduction process. Additionally, in situ ATR-FTIR results suggest that the introduction of an appropriate amount of Pt metal not only promotes water dissociation to generate protonic hydrogen, but also facilitates the desorption of *CO intermediates. The kinetic isotope effect of hydrogen-deuterium (H-D) confirms that water dissociation acts as a key proton donor in CO2RR. Furthermore, the catalyst of AuAgCuPdPt HEAs was applied as cathodes in a Zn-CO2 battery, achieving 90.23% FE for CO and a power density of 3.474 mW cm−2. This study provides new insights into the mechanistic understanding of CO2 reduction and underscores the importance of in situ spectroscopic techniques for advancing the design of efficient electrocatalysts for CO2 conversion.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3630-2
This study demonstrates a dual-interface engineering approach for performance enhancement in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. By applying ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDAI2) to simultaneously modify both top and bottom interfaces of wide-bandgap perovskite layers, we achieve synergistic defect suppression and charge transport optimization. Time-resolved photoluminescence characterization reveals extended carrier lifetimes and improved spatial homogeneity in dual-modified perovskite films. The optimized single-junction wide-bandgap (>1.66 eV) perovskite solar cells attain a champion efficiency of 22.75% with enhanced operational stability. Implemented in perovskite-silicon tandem configuration, the devices achieve over 31% power conversion efficiency, validating the effectiveness of organic ligand-mediated dual-interface engineering in regulating carrier dynamics and advancing perovskite-based tandem photovoltaics.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507041
This study investigated the cultivation of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for the treatment of real textile dyeing wastewater, focusing on the influence of organic loading rate (OLR) on granulation and pollutant removal. After 60 days of cultivation, dense granules of approximately 1 mm diameter were formed, with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content of 92.22 mg·L−1, achieving COD and color removal efficiencies of 88.5% and 73.3%, respectively. OLR significantly regulated sludge characteristics: at an OLR of 3.0 kg·(m3·d)−1, the average granule size reached a maximum of 1.38 mm, EPS content peaked at 95.21 mg·g−1, and the highest COD and color removals were observed (92.73% and 86.35%, respectively). However, an excessive OLR of 5.0 kg·(m3·d)−1 led to sludge bulking and disintegration. Microbial community analysis revealed that Proteobacteria (44.06%–49.17%) and Bacteroidetes (27.49%–29.64%) were the dominant phyla, with their abundances significantly correlated with EPS protein secretion and pollutant removal efficiency. This study elucidates the mechanism by which OLR optimizes textile wastewater treatment through modulation of microbial community structure and EPS secretion, providing a theoretical basis and technical support for the practical application of AGS in textile dyeing wastewater treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025041904
Non-fentanyl opioids, a subclass of new synthetic opioids (NSOs), have emerged as the fastest-growing category of new psychoactive substances (NPS) globally, driven by regulatory tightening on fentanyl analogs. Their structural diversity, rapid in vivo metabolism, and multiple metabolic pathways complicate detection in biological matrices, posing significant challenges for forensic toxicology and environmental monitoring. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) remains the gold standard for trace-level quantification due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. This review systematically examines the classification, toxicological profiles, and metabolic routes of non-fentanyl opioids, including AH-7921, MT-45, U-47700, brorphine, and nitazenes. It critically evaluates sample preparation techniques—solid-phase extraction (SPE), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and protein precipitation (PPT)—highlighting their efficiency, recovery rates, and matrix effects. Furthermore, it synthesizes recent advances in LC-MS methodologies, including high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), with emphasis on multiplex detection capabilities, limits of detection (LODs) reaching sub-ng/mL levels, and validation parameters. The review underscores the necessity for continuous analytical innovation to keep pace with emerging NSOs and provides a technical framework for accurate identification in forensic and environmental contexts.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025042802
Activated carbon, characterized by its extensive pore structure, high specific surface area, and superior adsorption capacity, is widely employed in advanced water treatment. However, upon reaching adsorption saturation, its efficacy diminishes, necessitating replacement or regeneration. Thermal regeneration stands out due to its high desorption efficiency, simple equipment requirements, and low energy consumption, making it the predominant industrial method. Despite its prevalence, systematic investigations into the underlying reaction mechanisms and the influence of operational parameters remain insufficient. This review comprehensively examines common thermal regeneration technologies for saturated activated carbon, including multi-hearth furnaces, rotary kilns, superheated steam, microwave, and solar regeneration. It delineates the fundamental principles, process flows, advantages, disadvantages, and current research status of each method. The desorption and reaction mechanisms of pollutants within activated carbon pores during thermal regeneration are discussed in detail, along with the effects of critical conditions such as temperature, atmosphere, and purge gas flow rate on pollutant removal efficiency. Furthermore, the relationship between activated carbon performance parameters and regeneration efficiency is analyzed, and innovations based on conventional thermal regeneration, as well as integration with emerging technologies, are explored. Finally, the challenges facing thermal regeneration are summarized, and future research priorities are proposed, focusing on the treatment of waste gas and liquid byproducts, technology integration, and enhancement of overall regeneration performance. This review aims to provide a scientific foundation for the sustainable recycling of activated carbon in industrial applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4008-2
Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with conventional therapies hampered by poor tumor specificity, low drug accumulation, and suboptimal efficacy. To address these challenges, we rationally designed a tumor-targeted, ferrocene-bearing, covalently immobilizable theranostic probe, dIR-CDF, for near-infrared (NIR) imaging-guided photodynamic-ferroptosis synergistic therapy. The probe exploits the overexpression of sulfenated proteins in the tumor microenvironment to specifically target integrin αvβ3-positive NSCLC cells and undergo covalent anchoring via the reaction between 1,3-cyclohexanedione and sulfenic acid, thereby enhancing tumor accumulation and retention. Under 808 nm irradiation, dIR-CDF generates singlet oxygen (1O2) for photodynamic therapy (PDT), while the sustained release of ferrocene catalyzes Fenton reactions to produce hydroxyl radicals (·OH), inducing ferroptosis. The synergistic action of PDT and ferroptosis amplifies lipid peroxidation and disrupts antioxidant defenses, leading to efficient suppression of NSCLC tumors in living mice. This work presents a universal and powerful theranostic platform for precise cancer diagnosis and treatment, with the covalent targeting strategy offering enhanced specificity and retention.