SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4473-9
Selective ion separation is critical for resource recovery, water treatment, lithium extraction from salt lakes, and nuclear waste management, yet the differences in size, solvation structure, and coordination behavior among ions are often minimal, and separation is further complicated by valence, interfacial charge, and competing ions. Nanoporous materials with tunable sub-nanometer channels and chemically active interfaces can regulate ion entry, solvation reorganization, interfacial partitioning, intrapore migration, and release. This review examines three mechanistic categories—size and solvation sieving, chemical recognition, and dynamic gating—from the perspective of confined transport and ion–pore interactions, and compares their roles and coupling in systems of monovalent–monovalent, divalent–divalent, heterovalent, and chemically similar multivalent ions. We further distinguish selective adsorption, membrane enrichment, and transmembrane transport, and discuss how selectivity definitions, ion flux, feed composition, driving force, and operating time affect performance evaluation. Current research faces three major challenges: lack of comparability of performance data across different test conditions, insufficient direct evidence of ion solvation, site occupancy, and migration under operating conditions, and the complexity of feed streams. By adopting a sequential ion transport process as a unified conceptual framework, this review systematically compares separation mechanisms across diverse nanoporous materials, including MOFs, COFs, zeolites, 2D materials, microporous polymer membranes, ion-exchange membranes, biomimetic nanochannels, organic–inorganic composites, functionalized porous carbons, and biochars. This transport-process-oriented framework provides a general and mechanistic perspective for understanding and comparing selective ion separation across diverse nanoporous platforms.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4477-7
The rapid demand for high-energy-density lithium batteries necessitates advanced solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) to overcome the safety and performance limitations of conventional liquid counterparts. Macrocyclic compounds, with their well-defined cavities, programmable binding sites, and tunable self-assembly, have emerged as powerful molecular regulators for designing next-generation SSEs. This review examines recent advancements in macrocyclic compound-based SSEs by categorizing their functions into four fundamental supramolecular regulation paradigms: cation-centered regulation (e.g., crown ethers), anion-centered regulation (e.g., calixarenes and calixpyrroles), channel-dominated transport (e.g., cyclodextrins), and hybrid regulation (e.g., cucurbiturils). We elucidate how these macrocycles precisely control ion coordination, modulate migration dynamics, and reshape interfacial chemistry, leading to enhanced ionic conductivity, improved Li+ transference numbers, suppressed lithium dendrite growth, and superior interfacial stability. While each paradigm offers distinct advantages, the most promising SSEs often leverage synergistic combinations of these strategies. Finally, we highlight the remaining challenges, including synthetic complexity and multi-objective performance trade-offs, and propose future research directions for developing highly efficient and durable macrocycle-based solid-state lithium batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4313-7
Liquid-to-vapor mass transfer is central to energy and environmental processes. Conventional distillation relies on vapor-liquid equilibrium and device-level optimization, with materials playing passive structural roles. Non-boiling processes such as membrane distillation and interfacial solar evaporation localize phase change at confined interfaces, making mass transfer a materials-mediated transport phenomenon where interfacial structure and chemistry dictate evaporation kinetics, vapor escape, and solute rejection. Janus interface materials, featuring spatially separated hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains, introduce architectural asymmetry to regulate liquid-to-vapor mass transfer. This review summarizes recent advances, highlighting mechanisms including the cooperative pump-valve effect, nanoconfinement-enhanced transport, and mitigation of fouling and scaling. Representative applications in membrane distillation, solar-driven evaporation, and personal thermal-moisture management are systematically discussed. Key challenges and future opportunities are outlined, particularly in advancing fundamental understanding, scalable fabrication, and practical implementation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4177-3
Chirality profoundly influences tumor therapy by regulating key physiological processes, yet the link between chirality and therapeutic properties of atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) remains poorly understood. Atomically precise Au25 NCs protected by chiral cysteine ligands (L-Au25(cys)18, D-Au25(cys)18, and Rac-Au25(cys)18) were constructed and systematically investigated to elucidate the association between chirality and tumor therapeutic performance. Although no significant difference in enzyme-like activity was observed among the three NCs, Rac-Au25(cys)18 exhibited enhanced reactive oxygen species generation under 808 nm laser irradiation, achieving superior phototherapeutic effects in both in vitro and in vivo tumor models. The chiral Au25 NCs induced distinct cell death pathways: L-Au25(cys)18 primarily triggered ferroptosis, D-Au25(cys)18 induced both ferroptosis and apoptosis, and all three NCs activated disulfidptosis. In vivo, tumor inhibition rates for L-Au25, D-Au25, and Rac-Au25 groups were 46.7%, 42.5%, and 68.3%, respectively, with no significant body weight fluctuations and minimal hepatorenal toxicity. Hematological and histopathological analyses confirmed favorable systemic biocompatibility. This work clarifies the correlation between chiral structures and tumor therapeutic performance of gold NCs, providing experimental insights and theoretical support for the design of novel chiral nanomaterials and optimization of precise tumor phototherapeutic strategies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4272-3
Ruthenium (Ru)-based alloys are promising alternatives to commercial Pt/C catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) owing to their low cost and favorable hydrogen adsorption properties. However, the sluggish water dissociation on Ru catalysts remains a major kinetic bottleneck in alkaline solutions. Herein, we report a rare earth (RE) dilute alloy strategy by incorporating a trace amount of cerium (Ce, ~1 at%) into a RuCu alloy to promote interfacial water activation. The oxophilic Ce sites strengthen H2O adsorption and reduce the energy barrier for water dissociation, thereby accelerating the Volmer step during alkaline hydrogen evolution. Consequently, the RuCuCe catalyst delivers 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of only 18 mV in 1.0 M KOH and maintains stable operation for over 100 h at 500 mA cm−2 in a membrane electrode assembly. In situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and pH-dependent measurements verify the facilitated Volmer process induced by Ce incorporation. Temperature-dependent analysis further shows that the apparent activation energy decreases from 47.4 kJ mol−1 for RuCu to 26.4 kJ mol−1 for RuCuCe, consistent with enhanced water dissociation kinetics. This work establishes RE dilute metal alloys as an effective platform for boosting the intrinsic activity of Ru-based alloy catalysts, in which RE incorporation promotes water dissociation while inducing charge redistribution in the alloy matrix.
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/s40843-026-4295-5
Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), including carbon nanotubes, graphene, and fullerenes, exhibit exceptional promise in precision biomedicine due to their tunable biocompatibility, programmable surface chemistry, large specific surface area, and quantum confinement effects. However, their clinical translation is hindered by aggregation, poor physiological dispersibility, and limited targeting specificity. This review systematically elaborates on surface engineering strategies—covalent functionalization, non-covalent assembly, and heteroatom doping—to optimize the multifunctionality, biocompatibility, and targeting capabilities of CNMs at the nano-bio interface. We explore how engineered interfaces enable advanced applications in biosensing, stimuli-responsive drug delivery, multimodal bioimaging, antibacterial therapy, and regenerative tissue engineering. The review also addresses challenges such as scalability, long-term toxicity, and regulatory hurdles, and proposes future directions to expedite clinical adoption. By providing a comprehensive framework for rational surface design, this work aims to bridge the gap between fundamental materials science and clinical needs, offering a roadmap for developing next-generation carbon-based theranostics.
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/s40843-026-4300-3
The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs) has surpassed 21% with the donor polymer D18, yet its processing from non-halogenated solvents like ortho-xylene (o-XY) remains inefficient due to uncontrolled film formation kinetics. Here, we systematically synthesize D18 polymers with molecular weights ranging from 41.6 kDa to 70.9 kDa to modulate crystallization kinetics. In-situ film drying studies reveal that lower molecular weights accelerate solidification, leading to excessive aggregation, while higher molecular weights slow it, causing insufficient phase separation. A medium molecular weight (D18-M) achieves a balanced crystallization rate, promoting favorable morphology and yielding a PCE of 20.55% with L8-BO as acceptor—one of the highest reported for non-halogenated solvent-processed OSCs. Energy loss analysis indicates that although low-molecular-weight polymers exhibit higher intrinsic luminescence, the blend film's emission is governed by exciton environment, which is dictated by morphology. This work underscores the critical role of molecular weight in controlling film formation and morphology, offering a simple yet effective strategy for high-efficiency, environmentally friendly OSCs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4180-9
Developing highly active and stable electrocatalysts based on the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) represents a significant challenge in water splitting. Herein, we successfully introduce oxygen vacancies (Ov) into high-entropy MnFeCoNiCu layered double hydroxides (HE-LDHs) via a solution chemical reduction method utilizing a defect engineering strategy. By precisely tuning the concentration of oxygen vacancies, we effectively activate the lattice oxygen within the HE-LDHs. The optimized Ov-rich high-entropy LDHs (Ov-HE-LDHs) exhibit excellent OER catalytic performance, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a remarkably low overpotential of only 210 mV in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte, which is substantially superior to pristine HE-LDHs (315 mV) and commercial IrO2 (330 mV). Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates outstanding long-term stability, capable of stable operation for 500 h at a high current density of approximately 200 mA cm−2. Advanced X-ray absorption fine structure analysis elucidates the lower metal valence states, indicating the existence of oxygen vacancies, while isotope labeling experiments and in-situ electrochemical Raman spectroscopy strongly confirm the successful activation of the LOM pathway. Density functional theory calculations further validate that the shift in the OER mechanism towards LOM and the resulting reduction in the reaction energy barrier are the fundamental reasons for the catalyst’s enhanced intrinsic activity. This work proposes a novel strategy for activating lattice oxygen in high-entropy LDHs through defect engineering, offering new insights and experimental guidance for the design and development of highly efficient and stable high-entropy OER electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4192-y
Electrochemical water splitting is pivotal for scalable green hydrogen production, yet its practical deployment hinges on cost-effective electrocatalysts with high activity and durability. This study introduces a low-cost, three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous ZrVFeCoNi material fabricated via chemical dealloying, at merely 0.16% of the cost of Pt. The structure-activity relationship between its microstructure and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance was systematically explored. Lattice defect effects from multiphase intermetallic compounds, combined with multi-metal synergy, optimize H+ adsorption energy and electron transfer kinetics. The 3D nanoporous architecture provides a high electrochemical surface area with abundant active sites, enhancing electrolyte penetration and reducing interfacial mass transfer resistance. Consequently, the ZrVFeCoNi electrode exhibits outstanding HER performance, requiring only a 38 mV overpotential to reach 10 mA cm−2 and maintaining stable operation for 1000 h at 500 mA cm−2. Integrated into a full water electrolyzer (ZrVFeCoNi || IrO2/Ni), the system achieves a cell voltage of 1.60 V at a current density of 400 mA cm−2. Advanced characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that interfacial interactions and charge transfer at heterointerfaces drive catalytic activity, showcasing the potential of 3D nano-structured multiphase intermetallic compounds as high-performance electrocatalysts for green hydrogen systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4110-9
Flexible tactile sensors are pivotal for human-machine interaction, yet accurate decoupled sensing of three-dimensional (3D) forces and integration into functional systems remain challenging. Here, we present a piezoresistive 3D force sensor based on ionic hydrogels that detects and analyzes multi-directional forces. The sensor exhibits a linear response to normal forces from 1 to 25 N (R²=0.99) and maintains stable sensitivity for shear forces within 0–4 N. By incorporating both force magnitude and direction, the sensor enables multidimensional password input, expanding traditional one-dimensional passwords into numeric, alphabetic, and Morse code formats. Experimental results demonstrate significant potential for enhancing information security. The sensor's simple structure, mature fabrication, and ease of integration with flexible electronics underscore its practicality. This work addresses the bottleneck of unidirectional sensing in conventional flexible pressure sensors, offering a robust solution for multidimensional force acquisition in human-machine interfaces, soft robotics, and biomechanical monitoring.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3848-7
Conventional heterogeneous photocatalysts often suffer from insufficient light absorption, rapid charge recombination, and a lack of specific reactive sites for efficient photocatalytic oxidation. To overcome these limitations, we propose a molecular polarization engineering approach utilizing structurally well-defined donor (D)-acceptor (A) covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs). The construction of dipole-induced built-in electric fields within the D-A-structured CTFs enables enhanced exciton dissociation and facilitates directional charge transfer. Specifically, the asymmetric A1-D-A2 moiety enhances molecular polarization in the dual-acceptor system CTF-TBT (A1-D-A2), enabling efficient charge separation through multiple electron-withdrawing units. This structural design promotes directional electron transfer toward the secondary acceptor (benzothiazole, A2), while simultaneously concentrating holes on the donor unit. Consequently, the A2 moiety acts as a site for efficient O2 activation via electron accumulation, whereas the highly oxidized donor unit provides strongly positive holes (h+) that facilitate substrate oxidation. Experimental and DFT calculation results confirm that CTF-TBT demonstrates highly enhanced photocatalytic oxidation performance, which can be attributed to its multi-channel charge separation mechanism and spatially separated redox-active sites. This study highlights the effectiveness of molecular dipole engineering in designing heterogeneous photocatalysts with controlled charge transfer pathways and improved redox capabilities. The proposed design principles provide a universal approach for promoting solar-driven chemical synthesis applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3637-6
Traditional optical fiber communication encryption methods lack sufficient dynamic adaptability and hardware flexibility, while reconfigurable logic gates can overcome this limitation, thereby significantly improving the flexibility of encryption systems. This study reports a reconfigurable optoelectronic logic gate (OELG) system based on hafnium-zirconium oxide (HZO) ferroelectric thin films. Through ultra-low temperature atomic layer deposition technique, the fabricated HZO thin films demonstrate an exceptional pyroelectric coefficient of 1835.91 μC m−2 K−1 and robust multi-level polarization stability, enabling efficient broadband photon-to-current conversion. By leveraging the pyroelectric effect and tunable polarization states, the OELG device achieves dynamic optical signal modulation and logic processing. The OELG device supports five fundamental logic operations (AND, OR, NAND, NOR, NOT) via electrical bias and polarization control, without requiring hardware modifications. The OELG device demonstrates stable performance over 10^9 cycles with no degradation, meeting practical application requirements. Furthermore, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-integrated image encryption-decryption framework was validated, achieving 95.01% recognition accuracy on decrypted data, while unauthorized decryption attempts resulted in significant feature loss. This study addresses security challenges in optical communication networks by proposing an innovative solution that integrates pyroelectric materials with reconfigurable logic gate technology, offering a new pathway to enhance physical-layer security.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3666-2
Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are promising for low-cost, solution-processed display and lighting applications, yet achieving high efficiency and color purity remains challenging. Here, we report two ionic multi-resonance (MR) emitters with narrowband blue emission for high-color-purity LECs. By covalently bonding an imidazolium functional group into a boron/nitrogen-doped polycyclic skeleton, the emitters retain the narrowband emission and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the MR core while gaining ionic character. The design exploits two types of nitrogen atoms in the imidazolium unit: the pyrrolic N at the 1-position forms a para-B-π-N linkage, elevating excited-state energy levels and blue-shifting emission; the pyridinic N at the 3-position provides a quaternization site, yielding intrinsically ionic emitters compatible with ionic hosts. The emitters exhibit blue emission with narrow full-width at half-maximum of 26–27 nm and high PLQYs of 95%–97% in solid-state films. LECs based on these emitters achieve narrowband blue electroluminescence with CIE coordinates of (0.12, 0.26) and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 4.6%, representing the first narrowband blue LECs based on intrinsically ionic MR emitters. This work demonstrates a viable molecular design strategy for high-color-purity LECs, addressing the long-standing trade-off between efficiency and color purity in this technology.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3586-7
Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, with endovascular stent intervention emerging as a key therapeutic strategy. Biodegradable Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy (ZE21B) offers promising mechanical properties and biocompatibility for vascular scaffolds, yet suffers from inadequate corrosion resistance, insufficient endothelialization, and impaired blood-brain barrier remodeling. This study develops a composite coating comprising barnacle cement protein cp19k and sulfonated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (NP@S-HA) applied via electrostatic spraying onto ZE21B. The cp19k/NP@S-HA coating enhances corrosion resistance by approximately 40.6% relative to uncoated ZE21B, as determined by electrochemical and static immersion tests. In vitro blood and cellular assays demonstrate that the coating promotes endothelial cell proliferation and migration, inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation while regulating contractile phenotype, suppresses macrophage adherence and induces M2 polarization, reduces TNF-α expression, and mitigates fibroplasia. These findings indicate that the cp19k/NP@S-HA composite coating provides an effective surface modification strategy for biodegradable magnesium alloys in cerebrovascular applications, potentially improving stent performance and patient outcomes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3689-9
Converting body heat into electricity presents an appealing route for sustainably powering wearable electronics; however, conventional thermoelectric materials face significant drawbacks, including high ionic concentrations, toxicity, and limited thermoelectric efficiency. Here, we report an ionic thermoelectric hydrogel designed through precise supramolecular chemistry, utilizing dual molecular interactions: host-guest complexation of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) with I3− ions and hydrogen bonding between polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer chains and I3−. This molecularly tailored approach markedly amplifies thermoelectric performance, achieving a high thermopower of 2.21 mV/K and a tenfold enhancement in peak power output at an exceptionally low iodine concentration (10 mmol/L I− + 2.5 mmol/L I3−). The hydrogel maintains excellent biocompatibility and mechanical robustness, suitable for direct skin contact. Demonstrated applications include flexible thermoelectric devices generating nearly 100 mV from body heat and sensor arrays capable of motion and spatial temperature sensing. These results underscore the substantial potential of supramolecularly designed ionic thermoelectric hydrogels for wearable energy harvesting, personalized healthcare monitoring, and advanced human-computer interfaces.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3730-3
Water scarcity, exacerbated by organic micropollutant contamination and climate change, necessitates energy-efficient, eco-friendly purification technologies. Membrane separation has emerged as a transformative solution, outperforming energy-intensive processes such as distillation. Traditional chemical separations, dominated by distillation, consume 10%–15% of global energy, whereas advanced membrane technologies can reduce energy use by up to 90%. However, membrane separation is hampered by reliance on toxic petrochemical feedstocks and persistent microplastic pollution from nonbiodegradable end-of-life membranes. Shao's group addresses both gaps with a sustainable nanofiltration membrane (SNFM) crafted entirely from low-hazard, renewable components. The substrate polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polyester derived from corn starch, is processed via modified nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) to form a porous yet strong support. For the selective layer, toxic aromatic monomers are replaced with xylitol (a plant sugar alcohol) and dopamine (DA, a biogenic amine), and green solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide are used to avoid volatile organic compound emissions. Compared with commercial alternatives, this design yields a membrane with exceptional dual functionality: it maintains high separation performance (928% greater permeance, 92% bisphenol A rejection, and 89% Na2SO4 rejection) and low fouling (protein adsorption ≤12 μg cm−2) over 30 days. A life cycle assessment reveals a 62% reduction in carbon footprint compared with petrochemical-based membranes, whereas soil biodegradation tests confirm 90% breakdown within 6 months, driven by Delftia and Tissierella microbes. By eliminating microplastic waste and toxic inputs, this SNFM bridges the divide between performance and environmental responsibility, offering a scalable blueprint for next-generation green membranes in water treatment and beyond.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507027
Ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) is a common water pollutant that can induce eutrophication and threaten aquatic ecosystems and human health. Accurate monitoring is essential for water safety. This study applied a self-developed gas-permeable membrane-based conductivity sensor (GPMCS) for real-time in-situ monitoring of NH3-N in two water bodies. In the Qunying River (surface river water), GPMCS captured concentration fluctuations linked to pump operations and sewage intrusion, with mean inlet and outlet concentrations of 4.67 and 3.42 mg/L, respectively. In Swan Lake (landscape aquaculture water), concentrations reached up to 11.16 mg/L, with site means of 6.42 and 7.04 mg/L, influenced by aquaculture activities, weather, and location. GPMCS results correlated strongly with national standard methods (r1=0.8132, r2=0.7483), confirming accuracy and reliability. Compared to existing techniques, GPMCS offers high selectivity, strong anti-interference, portability, no sample pretreatment, low cost, and environmental friendliness, making it suitable for long-term in-situ monitoring. This technology provides robust support for sustainable water environment management.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507030
Arsenic is a toxic metalloid predominantly present in water as As(V) and As(III), whose speciation governs toxicity and mobility. Conventional speciation methods (HPLC-ICP-MS, IC-HG-AFS) offer ultralow detection limits but suffer from high cost, long analysis times, and non-portability, hindering on-site rapid monitoring. This study presents a sulfide-based spectrophotometric method exploiting the quantitative reaction between As(V) and S2− to form monothioarsenate (H3AsO3S) with a characteristic absorption at 233 nm. Under optimized conditions (H+ concentration 1 mol·L−1, Na2S dosage 5 mmol·L−1, reaction time 3 min, N2 purging 2 min), As(V) is directly quantified. Total arsenic is determined after complete oxidation of As(III) to As(V) using NaClO (10 mmol·L−1, pH 12, 5 min), and As(III) is obtained by difference. The method exhibits linearity over 0.5–50 mg·L−1 (A = 0.0209c + 0.0627, R² = 0.999), a detection limit of 0.17 mg·L−1, spike recoveries of 101.9%–104.1%, and relative standard deviation of 1.06%. Validation against real industrial wastewater samples showed relative deviations <10% compared with HPLC-ICP-MS and IC-HG-AFS. Total analysis time is within 15 min. The method is simple, cost-effective, and suitable for field monitoring.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0028
Pyrolysis is a key route for the graded conversion of low-rank coal, yet the volatiles are rich in oxygenates and heavy components, limiting direct utilization. This study proposes a tandem catalytic system combining metal oxides and ZSM-5 zeolite to efficiently convert lignite pyrolysis volatiles into light aromatics (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene). The upper-layer metal oxide pre-cracks large molecules and removes oxygenates, reducing carbon deposition on the zeolite and extending catalyst life. Among metal oxides tested, strongly basic MgO exhibited superior cracking and deoxygenation performance. Compared to ZSM-5 alone, the MgO/ZSM-5 tandem system increased total light aromatics yield by approximately 20% to 21.5 mg/g, while maintaining liquid product proportion at 21.4%. The incorporation of MgO also significantly reduced coke deposition on ZSM-5, preserving its catalytic activity and potentially prolonging its operational lifespan. These findings provide a theoretical basis for upgrading low-rank coal pyrolysis volatiles to valuable light aromatics.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510089
Microplastics (MPs) are frequently detected in various water bodies, posing increasing environmental risks. This study synthesized magnetic Fe3O4@MIL-100(Fe) microspheres via an in-situ one-step hydrothermal method and investigated their adsorption removal mechanisms for polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics. The composite exhibited a core-shell structure with a high specific surface area of 848.6 m2·g−1. Adsorption kinetics showed that PLA followed a pseudo-second-order model, while PS fitted both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. Equilibrium data for both MPs were well described by the Freundlich isotherm. Removal efficiencies for PLA and PS increased from 58.18% and 49.66% to 98.90% and 98.58%, respectively, as pH decreased, and from 64.24% and 21.58% to 97.05% and 94.63% with increasing ionic strength. The removal mechanism involved synergistic physical-chemical interactions: hydrogen bonding dominated for PLA, with some complexation, while π–π interactions and hydrogen bonding were primary for PS. The material demonstrated excellent reusability over multiple cycles. These findings highlight the potential of Fe3O4@MIL-100(Fe) for efficient removal of MPs from water, offering a novel approach for controlling emerging contaminants.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508047
Selective recovery of aluminum compounds from fly ash is a key route for its high-value utilization. This study developed a multi-stage activation process for extracting Al(OH)3 from fly ash, comprising mechanical activation, calcination activation, chemical separation, and carbonation precipitation. Fly ash was mixed with carbide slag and CaF2, then calcined; the resulting clinker was leached with Na2CO3 solution to extract Al. The CaO generated from high-temperature calcination of carbide slag facilitated the separation of Si and Al. After solid-liquid separation, CO2 was introduced into the Al-rich leachate to precipitate Al(OH)3. The process promoted the formation of Ca12Al14O32F2 and inert Ca2SiO4, achieving efficient Si-Al separation during calcination. Under optimal conditions (mechanical activation for 60 min, 4% CaF2, calcination at 1000°C for 2 h, leaching with 40 g/L Na2CO3), the Al extraction rate reached 91.8%, and the product purity was 98.9%. The alumina extraction residue exhibited porous and highly reactive characteristics, suitable for producing flame-retardant materials or high-value silicon-based products (e.g., white carbon black, molecular sieve adsorbents). The process offers a promising industrial route for fly ash valorization, with potential integration with cement production lines for synergistic CO2 capture and utilization.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60625-6
The electrocatalytic reduction of nitric oxide to ammonia (NORR) is a key green energy conversion technology. Its efficiency relies on high-performance electrocatalysts to enhance both ammonia yield (YNH3) and Faradaic efficiency (FNH3). Conventional experimental screening methods are resource- and time-intensive. Here, machine learning combined with SHAP feature analysis was employed to establish a stacked ensemble model integrating multiple algorithms, enabling systematic investigation of key descriptors governing NORR performance based on an experimental dataset. Evaluation of eight model algorithms revealed that the Stacked-SVR model achieved an R² of 0.9223 and RMSE of 0.0608 for predicting YNH3 on the test set, while the Stacked-RF model achieved an R² of 0.9042 and RMSE of 0.0900 for predicting FNH3. The stacked ensemble model integrates strengths of individual algorithms, demonstrating strong prediction performance while avoiding overfitting. SHAP analysis revealed that Cu content in catalyst composition has the most significant impact on catalytic performance. Moreover, the combination of wet chemical reduction synthesis, carbon fiber (CF) conductive substrate, and HCl electrolyte is more favorable for enhancing catalytic activity. Additionally, moderately lowering working potential, controlling electrolyte volume at low-to-medium levels, reducing catalyst loading, and increasing electrolyte concentration synergistically enhance both YNH3 and FNH3.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010306
Sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) has attracted increasing attention due to its low cost, no need for external carbon sources, and low sludge production. This review systematically examines the reaction principles and key material elements of various electron donors for SAD, including elemental sulfur, sulfide, thiosulfate, and iron sulfide. It discusses recent research progress on different SAD processes and the influence of environmental factors. A comparative analysis between heterotrophic denitrification and SAD highlights SAD's advantages in reaction rate, secondary pollution, and cost-effectiveness, underscoring its promising application prospects. Notably, iron sulfide-based autotrophic denitrification maintains stable pH and produces fewer by-products (e.g., sulfate, nitrous oxide). When developed into an aggregate sulfur concrete system, it can purify nitrogen and phosphorus from secondary effluent standards to Class IV surface water standards within a hydraulic retention time of only 0.5–2 hours, addressing the contradiction between SAD reaction rate and engineering demands. This enables efficient simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal, making it viable for groundwater remediation, advanced wastewater treatment, eutrophication control, and deep nitrogen removal. The national 'Dual Carbon Strategy' (carbon neutrality and peak) positions SAD as a promising method for wastewater treatment plants to meet increasingly stringent nitrogen and phosphorus discharge standards.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025020901
The intensification of environmental pollution necessitates the development of efficient and sustainable remediation technologies. Piezoelectric-coupled photoelectrocatalysis and piezoelectric-coupled electrocatalysis, which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and integrate with photoelectrocatalytic or electrocatalytic processes, have demonstrated significant potential for environmental remediation. By combining the piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric materials with photocatalysis or electrocatalysis, these technologies markedly improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated or electrogenerated electron-hole pairs, thereby enhancing pollutant degradation. This review explores the working principles of piezoelectric-coupled photoelectrocatalysis and electrocatalysis, highlighting their latest advancements in environmental remediation, including the degradation of organic pollutants and value-added conversions. It also addresses the challenges currently faced in applying these technologies, such as limitations in light transmittance, restricted light absorption ranges, rapid carrier recombination, and the short lifespan of electrodes in electrochemical systems. Finally, potential future research directions are discussed, emphasizing the need for improved material stability, scalable synthesis methods, and a deeper mechanistic understanding to bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical applications.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025091205
This study analyzes the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and driving mechanisms of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO in the Kuytun-Dushanzi-Wusu (Kui-Du-Wu) region of Xinjiang, based on monitoring data from 2018 to 2024. Results indicate that urban sites (e.g., Kuytun Laoganju Station) are influenced by traffic emissions, leading to elevated PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations. Dushanzi District, with petrochemical industry emissions, exhibits notable SO2 and O3 pollution. Agricultural areas (e.g., Kuytun Huaxin Tomato Company) show significant PM10 and CO levels affected by dust and diesel machinery. Over the study period, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO concentrations generally declined at annual rates of 1.5–4.0 μg·m−3·a−1, reflecting the effectiveness of coal substitution, industrial upgrades, and vehicle emission controls. Conversely, O3 concentrations increased consistently at rates of 1.3–3.2 μg·m−3·a−1, highlighting shortcomings in volatile organic compound (VOCs) control. Seasonal patterns show PM and CO peaking in winter due to heating combustion and temperature inversions, and reaching minima in summer due to enhanced diffusion and precipitation. O3 peaks in summer driven by photochemical reactions, contrasting with NO2 winter highs from heating and industrial activities. The findings underscore the need for coordinated control of VOCs and NOx, optimized dust management, and differentiated emission controls for industrial, traffic, and agricultural sources.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225225
The non-Newtonian rheological properties of plastic melts are critical for regulating plastic processing, molding, and recycling processes, ensuring processing stability and product performance. However, rheological data for commonly used plastics and their blends remain incomplete. This study combined experimental testing and theoretical modeling to investigate the rheological behaviors of four pure plastics—polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS)—and three binary blend systems: PE/ABS, PP/ABS, and PS/ABS. Rheological tests were conducted using a rheometer over a shear rate range of 0.1–100 s⁻¹ and temperatures from 180°C to 250°C. Results showed that the flow behavior index n was less than 1 for all samples, and apparent viscosity decreased significantly with increasing shear rate, indicating clear shear-thinning behavior. The consistency coefficient K followed the Arrhenius relationship with temperature, and melt viscosity decreased as temperature increased. The study quantitatively characterized the relationship between the mass fraction m (0.5 < m ≤ 1) of the main component in binary blends and melt viscosity. Based on experimental data, a component correction term was introduced into the traditional power-law model to construct a constitutive equation that simultaneously describes the effects of shear rate, temperature, and component fraction on melt viscosity. The average relative error between model predictions and experimental values was only 5.90%. These rheological data and the modified constitutive equation provide important theoretical support and data reference for optimizing process parameters in waste plastic recycling and injection molding.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4046-6
The deliberate control of framework dimensionality represents a powerful yet underexplored strategy for tailoring the functionality of homochiral metal-organic frameworks (HMOFs). Herein, we report a logical dimensional evolution from 1D and 2D to 3D HMOFs, achieved by tuning the connectivity of the auxiliary ligand. Employing a planar, three-connected ligand, 2,4,6-tri(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (Tpt), together with enantiopure tetracarboxylate of cyclohexane diamide linkers ((1R,2R/1S,2S)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarbonyl bis(azanediyl)diisophthalate) (R,R/S,S-CHCAIP) and Zn2+ salts, a pair of 3D porous HMOFs (P/M-HMOF-5) was successfully constructed. The 3D framework features unique heart-shaped channels and a novel 4-(3,3,3,6)-connected topology. Structural analyses reveal trinuclear Zn3(μ3-O) clusters that, upon activation, generate open metal sites. These Lewis acid sites, synergizing with Lewis basic sites from the framework, confer efficient acid-base bifunctional heterogeneous catalysis for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolinones in excellent yields (90%–98%). Furthermore, P/M-HMOF-5 serve as highly sensitive and enantioselective fluorescent sensors for amino acids and α-hydroxy carboxylic acids, with the highest discrimination observed for phenylalanine (KBH(D-Phe)/KBH(L-Phe) = 5.85 for M-HMOF-5). This work demonstrates how rational ligand connectivity steers dimensional evolution, enabling the integration of distinct catalytic and sensing functions within a single chiral platform, thereby providing a blueprint for the design of advanced multifunctional materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3868-y
Selective ion transport in spatial confinement is central to environmental and energy sustainability, including desalination, energy conversion, and resource recovery. While biomimetic nanochannel membranes often rely on size exclusion or fixed ion-channel interactions, real-world separation systems involve multicomponent ionic mixtures where ion-ion interactions, such as dynamic pairing and competition, play a decisive yet underexplored role. Pan and coworkers address this gap by developing a functionalized membrane enabling dynamic manipulation of ion-ion interactions triggered by external ionic stimuli, achieving precise and reversible control over target ion transport. The membrane is constructed from aligned MXene nanosheets functionalized with γ-PGA through covalent and hydrogen bonding, establishing well-defined spatial confinements and adjacent amino and carboxyl groups that serve as anion-cation binding sites. This design enhances ion-pair formation, yielding ion selectivity and stimulus-responsive performance rivalling biological channels. Notably, when K+ and Mg2+ co-permeate, anions preferentially associate with K+ within the nanochannel, disrupting Mg2+ transport despite Mg2+'s higher affinity for channel walls. The MLM–γ-PGA membrane exhibits uniform channel architecture and remarkable aqueous stability. Ion transport characterization using a U-shaped diffusion cell with chloride salt solutions shows that with 0.2 M MgCl2 feed, Mg2+ permeation rate is 3.16 × 10−3 mol m−2 h−1. Introducing 0.2 M KCl suppresses Mg2+ permeation by two orders of magnitude to 3.2 × 10−5 mol m−2 h−1, with full reversibility over multiple cycles. This work highlights the potential of exploiting ion-ion interactions in nanoconfinement for precision separation.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510004
Ammonium salt crystallization-induced blockage of the regenerative heat exchanger in regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) remains a critical operational challenge, particularly in pharmaceutical applications where NH4Cl constitutes up to 70% of the fouling deposits. This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to systematically simulate six purging configurations, varying injection angle and pipe arrangement, and quantifies purging effectiveness via a novel evaluation method based on characteristic observation planes. Using the Realizable k-ε turbulence model coupled with a porous media model, we analyze the velocity distribution and low-velocity failure zones at the gas chamber–regenerator interface. Results demonstrate that a single-pipe 45° oblique injection achieves the highest effective purging area of 57.6%, a 35.7% improvement over conventional horizontal purging. Increasing pipe diameter significantly enhances flow uniformity, yielding an efficiency gain of approximately 40%, outperforming mere increases in gas velocity. A synergistic optimization strategy is proposed, prioritizing high-performance purging structures with coordinated parameter tuning. The recommended configuration—single-pipe 45° injection, 280 mm pipe diameter, and 14 m·s−1 gas velocity—achieves 88.2% purging efficiency without additional fan power, representing a 45.6% improvement over conventional modes. These findings provide a theoretical basis and engineering solution for RTO purging system design and operational optimization.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606002
Industrial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions are a major contributor to regional air pollution, and the rubber paste preparation process is a significant source. This study developed an intelligent monitoring system for whole-process VOCs management in a rubber paste preparation workshop, integrating software engineering and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The system architecture combines a hybrid database (MySQL relational and InfluxDB time-series), MQTT-based low-power wide-area communication, role-based access control, and containerized microservices. Field deployment at a large rubber enterprise enabled real-time monitoring of adsorption/desorption centrifugal fans and data fusion analysis. Under typical operating conditions, the extraction and ventilation systems achieved volume flow rates of 40,000 m³/h and 30,000 m³/h, respectively, maintaining a continuous micro-negative pressure environment that effectively suppressed fugitive emissions. The purification process, comprising zeolite rotor adsorption and regenerative thermal catalytic oxidation, reduced non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) concentrations to below 10 mg/m³, meeting the GB 27632—2011 emission standard. The system's multi-level permission management module precisely allocated operational responsibilities across production, environmental, and management roles, reducing response time to abnormal conditions. An online evaluation model for purification efficiency was constructed based on the actual process. The system demonstrates potential for extension to other high-VOCs industries such as coatings and printing. This research provides theoretical and practical references for applying computer technology to VOCs reduction and whole-process management in typical industries.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606021
To provide a theoretical basis for energy-saving combustion of regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs), this study analyzes energy nodes during RTO operation, refines heat balance accounting, and establishes an overall energy system. Taking a three-chamber RTO as the research object, the enthalpy of exhaust gas at different stages is calculated, and a whole-process heat balance model is developed to systematically analyze exhaust gas preheating, combustion, heat recovery, and heat loss transfer. An improved energy accounting method is proposed to address dynamic heat exchange inside heat accumulators, coupling of multiple gas streams, and boundary heat loss under complex conditions. The longitudinal temperature distribution function of heat accumulators is introduced to overcome difficulties in heat accounting within the accumulator chamber. A thermodynamic system covering 11 key internal energy nodes is constructed. Combined with design characteristics of RTO operation across industries, the application scope of the overall energy system is analyzed; equilibrium terms can be adjusted according to actual conditions, ensuring wide applicability. Validation via an RTO energy system for a glove manufacturing plant demonstrates that outlet temperature prediction accuracy improves from 14.3% to 2.8%, providing a theoretical foundation for future intelligent energy-saving combustion research.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3863-x
Lead-free double perovskites are promising for optoelectronic applications due to their tunable optical properties, stability, and non-toxicity. However, achieving efficient ultrabroadband near-infrared (NIR) emission and X-ray radioluminescence (RL) simultaneously remains challenging. Here, we report a Mo4+-doped Cs2(Na0.4Ag0.6)InCl6 double perovskite that exhibits efficient blue-light-excitable NIR emission with a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield. The emitter demonstrates robust thermal stability, retaining 84% of its initial emission intensity at 420 K relative to 300 K. Under X-ray irradiation, the material shows bright NIR RL with a high light yield of 39,400 ± 1100 photons/MeV. A flexible film of Mo4+-doped Cs2(Na0.4Ag0.6)InCl6/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was fabricated and applied as an NIR light source and X-ray scintillator. A dual-functional platform for cooperative NIR and X-ray imaging was established using a bullfrog palm as the target, achieving pixel-level fusion of NIR and X-ray images without spatial mismatch or complex image processing. The fused image simultaneously visualizes blood vessels and skeleton textures under the skin tissue. This work provides a viable strategy for lead-free double perovskites in advanced optoelectronic devices, particularly for multispectral imaging.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3809-y
The development of hydrogels that simultaneously achieve high strength and good toughness remains a critical challenge in soft material science, particularly for applications in flexible electronics, soft robotics, and biomedical devices. Conventional approaches often suffer from a trade-off between mechanical robustness and functional performance. In this work, we present a novel solvent-driven dual-network entanglement strategy to fabricate a strong and tough poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based organo-hydrogel by synergistically combining isopropanol (IPA) solvent substitution to induce dense polymer chain entanglement and a sodium alginate (SA) ionic crosslinked network as a dynamic energy-dissipation phase. The resulting organo-hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical performance with a tensile strength of 3.18 MPa and a toughness of 16.65 MJ/m3, representing increases of approximately 17 and 49 times that of conventional PVA hydrogels, respectively. Furthermore, the organo-hydrogel displays superior swelling resistance and long-term stability in aqueous environments, enabling reliable operation in challenging conditions such as underwater motion sensing and wearable strain detection. Morphological analyses reveal the critical role of solvent-mediated chain reorganization and dual-network interactions in achieving these properties. This work not only provides a versatile platform for designing robust gel materials but also offers fundamental insights into solvent-network interactions for advanced soft material engineering.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3783-x
The synergistic strategy combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy has recently demonstrated significant promise in cancer treatment. However, the substantial physicochemical disparities between chemotherapeutic agents and small-molecule immune adjuvants pose considerable challenges for co-delivery strategies. In this study, we designed a reactive oxygen species-responsive paclitaxel prodrug, PTX-PBA, which markedly enhanced drug encapsulation stability and dual-drug loading efficiency by various polymeric delivery systems. The resultant nanosystem (NanoPR) exhibited excellent physicochemical properties and ROS-triggered release profiles, effectively inducing immunogenic cell death in tumor cells while promoting dendritic cell maturation and CD8+ T cells activation. In murine models of 4T1 breast cancer and CT26 colon carcinoma, NanoPR achieved significant tumor growth inhibition and elicited durable immune memory responses. Collectively, this work provides an innovative molecular design strategy for the co-delivery of chemotherapeutics and immunomodulators, offering a robust foundation for the clinical translation of chemo-immunotherapy.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0034
Catalytic cracking of gasoline and diesel to light olefins is a pivotal route for high-value utilization of surplus fuels, typically employing zeolite catalysts. This study systematically investigates the effects of zeolite type and acidic properties on the catalytic cracking of dodecane, a diesel model compound, using SAPO-34, ZSM-5 with SiO2/Al2O3 ratios of 38, 85, and 200, and USY. Catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, N2 physisorption, NH3-TPD, and pyridine-FTIR, and evaluated in a fixed-bed reactor. Results demonstrate that zeolite type is the primary determinant of conversion and product distribution. SAPO-34, with 0.38 nm pores, achieved only 24.33% conversion and negligible BTX yield, with severe external coking. ZSM-5-38 and USY, with larger pores, achieved near-complete conversion; however, ZSM-5-38, possessing moderate acidity, yielded the highest light olefins (18.40%) and minimal coke (0.18%), while USY, with higher acidity, promoted hydrogen transfer and coking (12.90% coke). Within ZSM-5 series, lower acid site density (ZSM-5-200) proved optimal, achieving 97.79% conversion and a total light olefin yield of 41.93% (ethylene 11.11%, propylene 20.33%, butenes 10.49%) with low coke (0.43%). The study proposes reaction pathways and regulatory mechanisms, highlighting that zeolite type and acidity govern the relative rates of cracking, hydrogen transfer, oligomerization, aromatization, and coking, thereby dictating performance. These findings provide a rational basis for optimizing zeolite catalysts in commercial gasoline/diesel cracking processes.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026022502
This study investigates the effects of different land use types on topsoil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and their spatial distribution in the lower reaches of the Sancha River Basin, a karst region of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Grid sampling collected 0–20 cm topsoil from forestland (n=23), cultivated land (n=25), and grassland (n=32). Total C and N were measured. Results showed that topsoil C content followed grassland (40.36±22.92 g·kg−1) > forestland (37.05±12.83 g·kg−1) > cultivated land (34.06±14.57 g·kg−1), while N content followed forestland (2.89±0.76 g·kg−1) > grassland (2.67±1.19 g·kg−1) > cultivated land (2.50±0.65 g·kg−1). One-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences among land use types (P>0.05). Soil C and N were significantly positively correlated across all land uses (r>0.5, P<0.001). Coefficient of variation (CV) indicated grassland had the highest C variability (0.57), while forestland showed the most stable C and N (CV=0.35 and 0.26, respectively). Cultivated land had CVs of 0.43 for C and 0.26 for N. Spatially, forestland exhibited concentrated high C values with significant N heterogeneity; grassland had higher C in southern and eastern areas but scattered distribution, with generally low and variable N; cultivated land showed uniform but lowest C and N. Land use types significantly drive topsoil C and N dynamics through vegetation input, soil disturbance, and management practices, underscoring the importance of rational land use planning for enhancing carbon sink functions and sustainable development in karst watersheds.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607023
The rapid population growth and accelerating urban development have made the comprehensive utilization of municipal sludge (MS) an urgent challenge. MS contains substantial organic matter and essential nutrients for crop growth, making it a promising soil amendment for the ecological restoration of mine waste rock. However, research evaluating the impact of MS application on soil health and ecological safety from a soil microbiology perspective remains understudied. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of MS and composted municipal sludge (CMS) on the ecological restoration of mine waste rock soil through pot experiments. High-throughput sequencing technology was employed to analyze changes in soil microbial community structure and diversity. Finally, network analysis and correlation heatmaps were utilized to elucidate the microbial driving mechanisms. The results indicated that after MS and CMS application, organic matter content increased from 20.38 g/kg (Level 3) to 38.52 g/kg (Level 2). The levels of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium rose from Level 4, 6, 2, to Level 1, 4, 1, respectively. Fresh weight, aboveground height, root length, and stem diameter of ryegrass all increased significantly. Venn diagram and heatmap analyses indicated that lower application rates (<1.5 kg/m²) enhanced microbial community richness and diversity. This study confirms municipal sludge as an effective amendment for mine waste rock soil. It is recommended to limit application rates below 1.5 kg/m² in practical mine ecological restoration projects, with particular attention to long-term dynamics of heavy metals and salinity to ensure safe and sustainable land reuse.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3984-5
Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) are promising for large-scale energy storage due to high theoretical capacity, inherent safety, and abundant aluminum reserves. However, conventional AlCl3-based ionic liquid electrolytes suffer from high cost, uncontrolled dendrite growth, and severe anode corrosion. Here, a molecular-level ligand engineering strategy is proposed, employing nitrogen-containing cyclic amides with tunable N–H functionalities to modulate the coordination environment of deep eutectic electrolytes (DEEs). Combined experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the α-pyrrolidone-based DEE (PDEE) possesses a wider electrochemical window, higher ionic conductivity, and lower polarization. Precise N–H regulation optimizes cationic ligand and chloroaluminate anion interactions, accelerating ion transport to facilitate uniform Al deposition without dendrites. The amine functionalities enable in situ construction of a uniform inorganic-organic bilayer solid electrolyte interphase, mitigating anode corrosion and enhancing long-term interfacial stability. As a result, Al//Al symmetric batteries with PDEE achieve stable cycling for over 2000 hours, while Al-graphite full batteries demonstrate negligible capacity decay after 6000 cycles. This study establishes that ligand molecular engineering offers an effective strategy for optimizing DEEs, enabling durable and high-performance RABs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3921-2
Moisture-enabled energy harvesting technologies offer a promising route for self-powered strain sensing, yet conventional generators suffer from slow response, poor recovery, and limited multidirectional resolution. Here, we report a stretchable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofiber moisture-enabled electric generator (MEG) with highly aligned ion channels. A carbon black/sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (CB/SDBS) layer is coated on the TPU membrane, while carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and acidified poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (HPSS) are applied on opposite sides, establishing lateral hydrophilicity and ion gradients to drive directional ion migration. The planar MEG is lightweight, flexible, and requires no fully covered electrodes, enabling conformity to complex deformations. The aligned channels reduce ion migration tortuosity, enhancing ion transport efficiency and flux. As a result, the aligned MEG (ATMEG) delivers 0.2 V and 0.51 μA cm−2 at ~90% relative humidity, corresponding to 400% and 287% enhancements compared with the unaligned MEG (UATMEG). The ATMEG also exhibits ultrafast response (0.16 s) and recovery (0.08 s). Utilizing its anisotropic characteristics, a multidirectional self-powered strain sensor is developed, capable of distinguishing both the amplitude and direction of human motion, demonstrating strong potential for adaptive wearable electronics and intelligent motion monitoring.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60762-1
The CO2 dry reforming of methane (DRM) is pivotal for CO2 utilization within the dual-carbon framework, offering advantages in carbon reduction and value-added chemical production. However, shaped catalysts suitable for industrial-scale DRM remain limited. This work constructs a monolithic catalyst using honeycomb cordierite as the structural support, systematically investigating the effects of organic and inorganic binders on coating structure and catalytic performance. Comparative studies reveal that the active coating fabricated with inorganic aluminum sol exhibits a continuous uniform morphology and excellent adhesion strength. During high-temperature calcination, elemental diffusion within Al2O3 networks bridges the cordierite surface with active catalyst particles, forming a (Ni-Mg)AlxO4 composite structure. This creates robust metal-support interactions between active sites and the residual alumina matrix. The interconnected mesoporous framework provides superior pore confinement, contributing to strong coating adhesion, enhanced activity, and improved resistance to carbon deposition in the monolithic m-NCM-Al-sol catalyst. In contrast, coatings derived from inorganic silica sol suffer from detachment and activity loss due to heterogeneous surface structures and poor adhesion. Organic binders demonstrate inferior performance in macroscopic coating uniformity, adhesion strength, mesoporous confinement, and localized electronic effects, resulting in the poorest catalytic performance. By optimizing aluminum sol coating parameters—binder content, active component dosage, and coating cycles—a synergistic balance between coating thickness and mass transfer is achieved. The optimized catalyst demonstrates excellent DRM performance, providing insights for constructing high-performance shaped catalysts with cordierite coatings.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608018
Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are volatile, difficult to degrade, and highly toxic, posing serious threats to the atmospheric environment and human health. Catalytic oxidation is currently one of the mainstream methods for CVOCs abatement, owing to its high efficiency, safety, and economic feasibility, and its key aspect lies in the design and development of high-performance catalysts. In the catalytic oxidation of CVOCs, the poisoning effect of chlorine species on catalysts severely restricts catalytic performance. Ru-based catalysts, which exhibit excellent catalytic oxidation activity toward CVOCs and favorable chlorine-resistant performance, have been widely studied in recent years. This paper reviews the latest research progress on Ru-based catalysts for the catalytic oxidation of CVOCs. The mechanism of catalytic oxidation of CVOCs by Ru-based catalysts is elucidated through a systematic analysis of the relevant literature. Furthermore, the strategies for the design and structural regulation of Ru-based catalysts are outlined from the perspectives of active components, supports, and surface modification. Finally, novel preparation methods for Ru-based catalysts and the influence of reaction components on catalytic performance are summarized. Future research directions in this field are also prospected, aiming to provide a reference for the subsequent design and development of high-performance Ru-based catalysts suitable for complex operating conditions.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4084-1
Alkali metal halides such as KCl are typical insulators with broad bandgaps, exhibiting poor luminescence. Ion doping can enhance their luminescence, but the mechanism of ultrafast diffusion and structural evolution remains unclear. Here, Sb3+ was doped into a KCl matrix via a room-temperature grinding route. Varying Sb3+ concentration induces a structural evolution from KCl:Sb3+ to 0D inorganic metal halides (IMHs) K3SbCl6. The resulting K3SbCl6 exhibits broad-spectrum yellow emission with near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). The luminescence mechanism is attributed to the 3P1→1S0 transition of Sb3+ ions. Furthermore, a room-temperature solid-liquid interface diffusion method enables ultrafast single-crystal growth of K3SbCl6 in only 20 seconds, with stable luminescence. The material demonstrates excellent temperature sensing performance in the 50–310 K range, achieving a maximum relative sensitivity of 9.99%/K. Additionally, K3SbCl6 shows application potential in information encryption, flexible composite fluorescent films, and white light-emitting diodes. This study provides new insights into ultrafast synthesis of high-performance luminescent materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4036-4
Alkaline water electrolysis is a pivotal technology for large-scale green hydrogen production, yet its efficiency is constrained by sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics at industrial current densities. Here, we propose a synergistic dual-doping strategy to lower kinetic barriers for both Volmer and Heyrovsky steps. A robust amorphous NiCoV nanosheet electrode was synthesized via scalable one-step electrodeposition. In situ spectroscopic and kinetic characterizations reveal that hydrophilic V species optimize interfacial water by disrupting the hydrogen bond network, ensuring rapid supply of free water at the inner Helmholtz plane. Co dopants modulate electronic structure to facilitate electron transfer and optimize intermediate adsorption energetics. The NiCoV electrode requires an ultralow overpotential of 253 mV at -400 mA cm−2, surpassing most Pt-based catalysts, and maintains stability for over 200 h. Industrial validation in a scaled-up electrolyzer demonstrates a cell voltage of 1.89 V at 400 mA cm−2, achieving energy savings of 0.12 kWh m−3 H2 compared to commercial benchmarks. This translates to annual electricity savings of 1.33 × 10^6 kWh for a medium-scale demonstration project, highlighting immense potential for sustainable industrial applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4014-3
Laser-induced graphene (LIG) methods, including photothermal and photochemical approaches, are promising for flexible electronics yet face distinct limitations. Photothermal methods often produce graphene with uncontrolled structural and functional properties, while photochemical methods are restricted to a narrow range of precursors. To address these limitations, we propose a pressure-driven LIG (P-LIG) method that uses transient laser-generated pressure fields as an additional control parameter to improve graphene quality. An integrated framework combining ultrafast pump–probe interferometric imaging, large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) was developed to investigate this approach. Time-resolved measurements reveal the generation of transient pressure fields during femtosecond laser irradiation of polyimide films, confirming pressure as an intrinsic feature of the process. MD simulations under controlled pressure conditions demonstrate that pressure promotes the nucleation and stacking of graphene layers, resulting in more continuous and planar graphitic networks. XAI analysis quantitatively identifies the important contributions of pressure. These results confirm that the transient pressure introduced by the P-LIG method plays a key role in promoting more ordered, continuous, and planar graphene networks, and enhancing structural integrity and material quality beyond traditional methods. This provides a practical pathway for improving the performance and reliability of LIG-based flexible electronic devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4030-y
In the era of artificial intelligence, efficient perception and processing of massive visual information demand advanced machine vision systems. Inspired by human visual adaptation, various optoelectronic devices have been developed, yet most rely on external gate voltages or complex circuits for dynamic sensitivity modulation. This work demonstrates an all-optically controlled biomimetic sensor based on a one-dimensional ZnO/MAPbBr3 heterojunction, achieving both positive and negative photoconductivity effects. By modulating oxygen vacancy states with ultraviolet light, the competition between intrinsic photoconduction and trap-mediated carrier capture is regulated, enabling dynamic control of visible-light photoresponse within a single device. This tunable behavior mimics scotopic adaptation (photopigment regeneration under weak illumination), photopic adaptation (photopigment bleaching in bright environments), and eyelid-like self-protection against intense light. The device operates without external gate bias or cascaded circuits, offering a promising strategy for next-generation intelligent biomimetic sensors in machine vision.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4052-0
Cutaneous wound infections affect millions of patients annually worldwide, and early diagnosis is critical for timely anti-infection treatment. Bacterial infections alter wound pH, offering a promising diagnostic approach. Here, a diagnostic smart dressing (CMC-PDBI) is developed by ultraviolet-initiated crosslinking of a pH-responsive indicator coating, incorporating modified bromothymol blue, onto a carboxymethyl cellulose substrate. The dressing exhibits superior pH-triggered color-changing performance in both phosphate buffer solution and bacterial cultures across the pH range associated with wound infection (orange at pH 6.0, green from pH 6.5 to 7.5, blue at pH 8.0). In a murine wound infection model, CMC-PDBI indicates infection two days before symptomatic manifestation. Early therapy guided by the dressing accelerates wound healing and reduces inflammation. A smartphone application (InfectSense) assists in identifying infection risk. This work presents a novel early-warning platform for qualitative visual diagnosis of wound infections before clinical symptom onset, with high potential for clinical and home care settings.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4132-y
Manganese-iron-based mixed polyanionic cathodes are promising for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to high energy density and operating voltage, but suffer from Jahn-Teller distortion of Mn3+ that degrades cycling stability. Here, a structural modulation strategy via Mg2+ doping is reported. Electrochemically inert Mg2+ forms stronger chemical bonds, adjusts lattice parameters, and suppresses Jahn-Teller distortion, enhancing structural stability. Mg2+ also widens sodium-ion diffusion channels, improving diffusion kinetics. Additionally, an in-situ three-dimensional carbon nanotube (CNT) conductive network boosts electronic conductivity. The resulting NFMPP-Mg@CNTs cathode delivers a discharge capacity of 126 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C (near theoretical 129 mAh g−1), retains 80% capacity after 3000 cycles at 0.5 C, and achieves an energy density of 401 Wh kg−1, among the highest reported for mixed phosphate systems. Ex-situ XPS and first-principles calculations confirm that Mg2+ resists geometric distortion by enhancing lattice stability and widening Na+ diffusion pathways (migration barrier reduced from 0.566 to 0.398 eV). This work provides a viable route for high-energy, long-life SIB cathodes suitable for large-scale energy storage.