SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4416-8
Copper(I)-based carbene-metal-amide (CMA) emitters offer an earth-abundant alternative to precious-metal phosphors for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), yet efficient green emission remains scarce due to limited π-extension and unbalanced charge-transfer characteristics of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. This work introduces a pyrimidine-fused NHC ligand (CF3PMI) with balanced π-accepting ability, synthesized via a one-pot protocol in good yields. The resulting Cu(I)-CMA complex CF3PMI-BFCF3 exhibits green thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in doped thin films, with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 90% and a short emission lifetime of 1.16 μs. A vacuum-deposited OLED achieves green electroluminescence centered at 514 nm with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 22.7%. Furthermore, a hyperfluorescent OLED employing CF3PMI-BFCF3 as a sensitizer delivers an EQE of 21.8%, green emission at 537 nm, and a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 30 nm. These results establish a viable molecular design strategy for high-performance green-emitting Cu(I)-based TADF materials and provide a convenient synthetic route for Cu(I)-CMA emitters.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4294-4
Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) polymer materials are attractive for flexible electronics and information encryption due to their tunability and processability. However, achieving polymeric RTP systems that simultaneously exhibit high thermal sensitivity, reversible multicolor emission, and long phosphorescence lifetime (τPhos) with high quantum yield (ΦPhos) remains challenging. Here, we report an in-situ cross-linked self-assembly strategy that converts flexible polymers into rigid polymer microspheres, yielding long τPhos, high ΦPhos, and thermally and time-dependent tunable RTP. The resulting microspheres (PM0.1-0.01-1) exhibit a maximum τPhos of 1754 ms and ΦPhos of 42.83%, markedly superior to previously reported intrinsic polymer RTP materials. At 77 K, they display ultralong green emission with a lifetime of 6019 ms and visible afterglow lasting up to 99 s. The cross-linked microspheres enable time-dependent, continuously tunable RTP and thermally responsive color switching, while maintaining excellent phosphorescence stability in aqueous and high-temperature environments. This provides a versatile platform for dynamic information encryption, full-color afterglow LEDs, and temperature sensing. The strategy establishes a general design principle for developing multidimensional, controllable, and stable high-performance polymer RTP materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4138-5
Electrocoagulation (EC) has emerged as a promising electrochemical technology for wastewater treatment, offering distinct advantages over conventional chemical coagulation and membrane processes. This review systematically summarizes recent advancements in EC, focusing on the underlying mechanisms, key operating parameters, and diverse technical applications. The EC process involves three stages: electrolytic oxidation and in-situ coagulant formation, destabilization of contaminants, and floc formation. Unlike chemical coagulation, EC requires no external chemical additives, and process control is achieved by adjusting current density, voltage, or electrode materials, enabling adaptation to varying wastewater qualities. The review highlights the influence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on EC efficiency, as clarified by Luo et al. (Water Research, 2025). Furthermore, it discusses reactor design innovations, including continuous-flow and cascade-type configurations, and the role of current waveforms in mitigating electrode passivation. The integration of EC with membrane bioreactors and forward osmosis is also examined, demonstrating enhanced treatment performance and fouling mitigation. Key challenges, such as energy consumption and electrode scaling, are addressed, along with future research directions. This comprehensive analysis provides a critical framework for optimizing EC systems and scaling them for industrial wastewater treatment, emphasizing the need for holistic reactor design and process integration to achieve sustainable water reuse.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4261-2
Developing ion exchange membranes with both high proton conductivity and high selectivity is crucial for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). Commercial Nafion membranes suffer from severe vanadium crossover, while conventional additives often aggregate, disrupting ion domains and significantly reducing proton conductivity. To overcome this conductivity–selectivity trade-off, we propose a modification strategy based on molecular-level functional strategy. Two complementary additives, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and a fluoroalkyl-grafted polyoxometalate cluster (8FSiW11), are introduced into Nafion matrix to achieve precise, cooperative, regulation of ionic domains. PVP fills ion domains via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, constructing an efficient barrier against vanadium ions. Simultaneously, 8FSiW11 anchors at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface, providing additional proton sources and hopping sites to compensate for proton neutralization by PVP. The resulting hybrid membrane exhibits a proton/vanadium selectivity of 1×10^6 S min cm^-3, 8.6 times higher than commercial Nafion 212 (NR212), and enables VRFB energy efficiencies (EE) of 88.9% at 100 mA cm^-2 and 83.2% at 200 mA cm^-2. This work demonstrates the potential of synergistic molecular modification strategy to break conductivity–selectivity trade-off in membrane design for next-generation high-performance VRFBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4302-9
The pre-deposited lead iodide (PbI2) film in two-step inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) often exhibits a dense structure, which impedes the diffusion and reaction of organic ammonium salts, leading to unreacted PbI2 residues and compromised device performance. To address this, 2,4-oxazolidinedione (OD) is introduced as a molecule additive into the PbI2 precursor solution. Owing to its stronger coordination with PbI2, OD effectively modulates its crystallization behavior, resulting in a porous structure. This porous structure significantly facilitates the diffusion and infiltration of organic ammonium salts, thereby minimizing PbI2 residue and enhancing the completeness of the perovskite conversion. Furthermore, OD and the constructed porous network jointly retard the crystallization kinetics of perovskite, promoting the formation of perovskite films with improved crystallinity and preferred crystal orientation. Therefore, the optimized PSCs achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.31%, and demonstrate excellent operational stability, retaining 90.24% of initial PCE for 1500 h at 25°C and 90.47% after 1000 h at 65°C. The champion device exhibits a VOC of 1.197 V, a JSC of 26.28 mA cm-2, and an FF of 83.58%, with negligible hysteresis. This study presents a straightforward yet effective approach to advancing the performance and stability of inverted PSCs fabricated via the two-step method.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3558-4
The development of advanced titanium alloys capable of operating above 600 °C remains a critical challenge for aerospace propulsion systems, where conventional Ti alloys suffer from insufficient high-temperature strength and microstructural instability. Here, we propose a computationally driven design strategy for titanium-based medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) that integrates thermodynamic phase prediction with mechanistically informed strength modeling, enabling systematic exploration of the Ti-Nb-Al-Cr quaternary system. The optimized Ti70Nb10Al15Cr5 MEA exhibits exceptional performance metrics: 18% room-temperature ductility (as-cast), a yield strength of 520.7 MPa at 650 °C (post-aging), and an ultralow density of 4.76 g/cm3 (45% lighter than Inconel 718). Microstructural characterization reveals a metastable single-phase BCC structure in the as-cast state, which transforms into a BCC/Ti3Al dual-phase system upon aging, with temperature-dependent precipitate morphology and phase stability. The alloy demonstrates superior high-temperature strength retention up to 900 °C (>80 MPa yield strength), outperforming commercial titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-1100, TG6) and bridging the performance gap between conventional Ti alloys and nickel-based superalloys. This work establishes a multi-criteria design paradigm for entropy-engineered alloys, offering a viable pathway to lightweight, high-temperature structural materials for next-generation aerospace applications.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506005
The escalating generation of medical waste, driven by healthcare expansion and frequent medical activities, poses significant environmental and public health risks. Under the framework of ecological civilization, China is developing a comprehensive policy system for medical waste treatment and disposal, yet the current framework remains nascent and exhibits inconsistencies between national and local policies. This study systematically analyzes the status of national and local policies from 2003 to 2024, collecting 413 policy documents (166 from national ministries and 247 from provincial governments). The analysis examines temporal evolution, regional distribution, and policy focus, alongside the influence of medical waste output, treatment technologies, facility infrastructure, and major epidemic responses. Findings reveal distinct policy phases: initial self-disposal, exploratory management, foundational system building, and rapid development. Regional disparities are pronounced, with eastern coastal areas showing more advanced policies due to greater technical and financial resources. The surge in medical waste, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the need for enhanced regulatory guidance. Non-incineration technologies are gaining traction for their environmental and cost benefits, and facility coverage has improved but remains uneven. The study proposes five policy principles to foster technological innovation and industrial upgrading, ensuring safe medical waste management and environmental protection.
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.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604025
To meet the minute-level early-warning requirements for odor and multi-pollutant emissions at waste treatment facilities, this study proposed a multivariate short-term time-series prediction framework applicable to multi-tier scenarios covering source and boundary points (i.e., workshops and plant boundaries). Based on continuous online monitoring data with a 5-second resolution, a long short-term memory (LSTM) model using a sliding-window and recursive multi-step prediction strategy was constructed to jointly model odor concentration (OU) and pollutants including VOCs, NH3, H2S, and CH3SH (mg/m³). An evaluation protocol aligned with environmental supervision practice was established, incorporating mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), goodness-of-fit (R²), skill scores (SS) relative to a persistence baseline, and threshold-based error stratification to characterize uncertainty during peak emission periods. The results showed that at workshop monitoring sites with relatively stable operating conditions, VOCs, NH3, H2S, and CH3SH exhibited a high goodness of fit and low prediction errors. In contrast, at boundary sites affected by plume arrival delays and diffusion-dilution non-stationarity, OU and VOCs displayed significantly amplified errors during peak episodes, and the skill score advantage over the baseline became unstable at certain sites. Stratified analysis consistently revealed that non-peak periods outperformed peak periods, indicating that event-driven fluctuations were the main sources of error. Accordingly, this study suggested incorporating exogenous variables such as wind speed and direction, ventilation and gate access control, and operational rhythms, along with peak-sensitive loss functions, into the model to enhance its capacity to characterize and provide early warnings for transient emission pulses. Overall, this study established a reusable methodological baseline and evaluation paradigm for minute-scale multi-pollutant prediction, providing quantitative support for the operational management and source-to-boundary coordinated control of waste treatment facilities.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3891-5
Alloys with low thermal expansion are vital for precision components in aerospace, cryogenics, optics, and electronics, where dimensional stability under thermal cycling is essential. As these applications face harsher mechanical and thermal conditions, materials must offer not only low thermal expansion but also high strength and ductility. Achieving all three remains difficult, as their underlying microstructural requirements often conflict. Here, we present a medium-entropy alloy, Fe54Ni34Co6Ti3Al3 (at.%), designed to overcome this challenge through tailored precipitation engineering. The alloy forms coherent L12 nanoprecipitates that not only provide substantial precipitation strengthening but also modulate the composition of the face-centered cubic matrix. This tuning induces a low coefficient of thermal expansion and metastability in the matrix, enabling transformation-induced plasticity that enhances ductility and strain hardening. As a result, the alloy achieves a tensile yield strength of (1036±21) MPa, uniform elongation of 18.4%±1.1%, and a coefficient of thermal expansion of 5.8×10−6 °C−1. This work demonstrates a precipitation-driven pathway to reconcile strength, ductility, and thermal stability, offering a new strategy for designing multifunctional structural materials for advanced engineering environments.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025091801
Conventional wastewater treatment technologies face persistent challenges including incomplete removal of emerging contaminants, secondary pollution, and low energy efficiency. Micro-nano robots (MNRs), leveraging their self-propulsion, precise navigation, and high specific surface area, offer a transformative approach for targeted pollutant sequestration and degradation. This review systematically examines the operational mechanisms and propulsion strategies of MNRs in wastewater remediation. Through a data-driven bibliometric analysis, we identify chemical propulsion and photocatalytic degradation as the predominant research foci. We critically evaluate the performance of various MNR designs—including chemically driven, magnetically driven, and light-driven systems—for the removal of organic pollutants, heavy metals, microplastics, radioactive nuclides, and pathogenic microorganisms. Representative studies demonstrate removal efficiencies exceeding 90% for specific contaminants, such as uranium preconcentration via metal-organic framework-based microrobots and microplastic removal using self-driven magnetorobots. Despite these advances, MNRs face intrinsic trade-offs between propulsion efficiency and environmental compatibility, as well as challenges in coordinating actuation and control in complex aqueous matrices. We propose future directions emphasizing sustainable energy-harvesting systems and intelligent, reconfigurable multifunctional designs. This review provides a systematic framework and forward-looking perspective to accelerate the translation of MNR technology from laboratory innovation to practical wastewater treatment applications.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605012
The extraction process of large-scale infiltration galleries significantly alters surface water-groundwater exchange dynamics. Existing models often simplify the gallery as a boundary condition or adopt loosely coupled schemes, constrained by iterative exchange algorithms, failing to capture dynamic water flux interactions and transient responses. This study focuses on the large riverbed infiltration and purification water supply project in Shijiazhuang, China, establishing an integrated three-domain fully coupled numerical model—encompassing surface water, groundwater, and the infiltration gallery—using the dual-node coupling approach in HydroGeoSphere. The model sets two upstream inflow scenarios (wet and dry seasons) and simulates groundwater level evolution and water exchange processes under two operational modes: single-pump extraction at 1000 m³/h and no pumping. Results show that groundwater levels decline markedly under pumping, with the most pronounced response in the dry season, where maximum drawdown reaches approximately 1.24 m. Monitoring wells near the gallery show an earlier hydraulic response to pumping, reaching peak drawdown rates about 2–3 days sooner than wells farther away. At steady-state balance, surface water contributes more recharge to groundwater during the wet season than in the dry season, and water exchange between the gallery and aquifer is substantially enhanced under pumping. Spatially, water exchange concentrates primarily around transverse and longitudinal gallery sections, consistent with localized permeability enhancement from the perforated structure. These findings reveal groundwater dynamics and multi-domain interaction mechanisms under operational conditions, providing a theoretical basis for planning, design, and management of similar riverbed infiltration projects.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3859-y
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction is an attractive route to address sustainable energy crises and environmental issues, yet its efficiency is limited by poor charge separation, narrow light absorption, sluggish kinetics, and low CO2 adsorption/activation. Here, a series of Co SA-TT-COF/CdS S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized by integrating Co single atoms (Co SA) decorated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with CdS nanotubes via in situ condensation and post-modification. The TT-COF layer thickness on CdS was regulated to optimize active site density and accessibility. The optimal Co SA-TT-COF/15 wt% CdS heterojunction, with a TT-COF thickness of 50.5 nm, achieved a CO production rate of 14157 μmol g−1 h−1 and a selectivity of 90.9%, among the best COF-based photocatalysts reported. Theoretical calculations, experiments, and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that the S-scheme heterojunction enhances the built-in electric field, optimizes energy levels, narrows bandgaps, extends light harvesting, improves charge separation and transfer kinetics, and lowers energy barriers for CO2 adsorption/activation, directly contributing to superior performance.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509004
Acetone, a widely used solvent in the pharmaceutical industry, poses environmental and economic challenges due to its high volatility and the low concentration of acetone in water-based absorbents, which complicates recovery. This study proposes a composite absorbent comprising 1,4-butanediol (BDO), triethylene glycol, sodium citrate, and water, aiming to enhance acetone absorption capacity and enable cost-effective resource recovery. Response surface methodology optimized the absorbent composition to BDO 35%, triethylene glycol 10%, and sodium citrate 5%, achieving an acetone absorption capacity of 51.97 g·kg−1, which is 2.39 times that of pure water (21.77 g·kg−1). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and AIM topological analysis revealed that BDO forms stronger hydrogen bonds with acetone, characterized by shorter bond lengths and higher electron density, underpinning its superior molecular recognition and absorption capability. Process simulation of absorption-regeneration cycles demonstrated that, compared to pure water, the composite absorbent reduces absorbent consumption by 36.2% and regeneration energy consumption by 41.15% while achieving effluent acetone concentrations below 100 mg·m−3. This multi-scale investigation, spanning macroscopic experiments, molecular mechanisms, and process simulation, validates the feasibility and advantages of BDO-based composite absorbents for VOC control, providing theoretical and data support for the engineering application of alcohol-based absorbents in efficient organic pollutant separation.