SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4435-9
Organic room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials exhibit large Stokes shifts, high signal-to-noise ratios, and long emission lifetimes, positioning them as promising candidates for advanced anti-counterfeiting, bioimaging, sensing, and display technologies. Despite significant progress in molecular design—including radical-based systems, crystal engineering, host-guest doping, polymer matrix confinement, and supramolecular assembly—the integration of these materials with 3D printing remains in its infancy. This review critically examines the design strategies and research advances in 3D-printed organic RTP materials, focusing on the fundamental photophysical processes of intersystem crossing and suppression of non-radiative transitions. We analyze how printing parameters, matrix rheology, and layer-by-layer deposition influence phosphorescence quantum yields and lifetimes. Key challenges such as oxygen quenching, thermal degradation during extrusion, and poor interlayer adhesion are discussed with quantitative benchmarks. The review highlights that current 3D-printed RTP systems achieve lifetimes up to 1.2 s and quantum yields of 12% under ambient conditions, but scalability beyond 100 cm² remains limited by nozzle clogging and slow curing kinetics. By mapping material formulation to printability, we identify operational windows for extrusion-based and vat photopolymerization techniques. This work provides a roadmap for engineers to transition RTP materials from laboratory-scale demonstrations to industrial fabrication of complex 3D architectures with persistent luminescence.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4320-4
Colloidal lead halide perovskite quantum dots (Pe-QDs) have achieved external quantum efficiencies exceeding 20% in red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs), yet their integration into high-resolution displays is impeded by two persistent bottlenecks: the intrinsic ionic lability of Pe-QDs, which compromises structural and environmental stability, and the absence of mild, high-fidelity patterning techniques that avoid ligand detachment and surface defect formation. This work addresses both obstacles through a dual strategy. First, a ligand-fluoride co-stabilization method yields shape-defined, colloidally stable rhombic dodecahedral CsPbBr3 Pe-QDs; subsequent fluorine surface reconstruction using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) enhances ligand binding affinity, producing BHOA+F CsPbBr3 Pe-QDs with a photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) of 94.6%. Accelerated ageing, ultraviolet irradiation, and thermal cycling tests confirm improved structural and environmental stability. Second, capillary liquid-bridge confined assembly enables reproducible, scalable fabrication of pixelated Pe-QDs with in-plane long-range order, vertical confinement, and precise spatial patterning. The resulting pixelated Pe-QDs LEDs exhibit high efficiency, sufficient brightness, and long operational stability, with the approach generalizable across red, green, and blue Pe-QDs for wide color gamut displays. This combination of surface fluorination and liquid-bridge assembly represents a landmark achievement in high-resolution display technology.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4505-9
Transition metal hydroxides are promising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for alkaline water electrolysis. This study reports Ce-doped Co(OH)2 electrocatalysts synthesized via one-step electrodeposition, where the Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio is precisely controlled by deposition temperature. The optimized Ce-Co(OH)2 catalyst, obtained at 40°C, exhibits an overpotential of 236 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and maintains stability for 200 h. In an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE), the Ce-Co(OH)2 anode achieves a cell voltage of 2.04 V at 1 A cm-2 and operates for over 500 h at 500 mA cm-2. Mechanistic analysis reveals that Ce3+/Ce4+ dynamic electron buffering regulates surface reconstruction: during OER, electron transfer direction reverses (Ce → O → Co), with Ce donating electrons to Co sites to prevent over-oxidation and structural collapse. This work establishes a versatile strategy for balancing surface reconstruction and structural stability in Co-based OER catalysts, providing a foundation for designing high-performance, durable alkaline water oxidation electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4412-y
GeTe-based thermoelectric materials are promising lead-free alternatives to PbTe, but their intrinsically high Ge vacancy concentration (~10^21 cm^-3) leads to excessive carrier density and degraded Seebeck coefficient. This study integrates resonant levels (RLs) via In doping and local van der Waals gaps via Sb/Bi alloying to decouple electron and phonon transport. The optimal composition Ge0.91Sb0.04Bi0.04In0.01Te exhibits a Seebeck coefficient of ~287.31 μV K^-1 at 323 K, more than double that of the In-free sample (~102.28 μV K^-1). The peak figure of merit zT reaches ~1.8 at 723 K, with an average zT of ~1.0 over 323–723 K. Vickers hardness is enhanced to ~224 HV, a ~93% improvement over pristine GeTe (~116 HV). X-ray diffraction reveals a structural evolution toward a pseudo-cubic phase with increasing In content, and the (202) peak shifts to lower angles, indicating lattice expansion. These results demonstrate that synergistic RLs and van der Waals gaps effectively optimize carrier concentration and suppress thermal conductivity, offering a viable route for high-performance, mechanically robust GeTe thermoelectrics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4405-9
Conventional metal-halide X-ray scintillators, including Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO), Cs(Na)I:Tl, and Lu1.8Y0.2SiO5:Ce (LYSO), suffer from hygroscopic decomposition, high-temperature fabrication, and mechanical rigidity, which restrict their deployment in harsh-environment radiography. This study reports a nontoxic zero-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid copper(I) halide, Cu2I2(C26H36NP)2 (Compound G), synthesized via a room-temperature solution route. The bulky phosphine ligands confer exceptional superhydrophobicity, with the material retaining 91.95% of its initial luminescence after 30 days of water immersion. A flexible scintillator screen fabricated from styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBS) exhibits a light yield of ~32,500 photons MeV-1, a spatial resolution of 19.14 lp mm-1, and a detection limit of 0.8 μGyair s-1. The screen enables stable X-ray imaging under flexible, high-temperature, and underwater conditions, eliminating vignetting and distortion in nonplanar objects. These metrics demonstrate that the superhydrophobic copper(I) halide scintillator addresses the water-stability bottleneck of commercial scintillators while delivering competitive light output and resolution, offering a viable pathway for medical diagnosis, nondestructive inspection, security checking, and space exploration.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4347-9
Overcoming the intrinsic loading ceiling of oxide-supported single-atom catalysts remains a long-standing challenge, because oxide frameworks generally provide limited capacity for accommodating high densities of isolated metal species. Here, we report a hollow TiO2 nanoreactor that effectively addresses the long-standing loading limitation of oxide-supported catalysts by coupling high-capacity ion exchange with structural confinement. The multiscale framework is derived from a sodium titanate hollow flower-sphere assembled from ultrathin nanosheets. It enables broad accessibility of exchange sites and facilitates high Cu uptake prior to oxide formation. Subsequently, during Ar-assisted transformation into oxygen-vacancy-rich TiO2, the incorporated Cu species remain highly dispersed within the framework, while vacancy-mediated metal–support interactions further enhance their stability. As a result, controllable Cu speciation is achieved at ultrahigh loadings of 7.4 wt% as spatially isolated single atoms and 12.4 wt% as single-atom/subnanometer-cluster hybrids. The optimized hybrid catalyst delivers a hydrogen evolution rate of 28.8 mmol g−1 h−1 under simulated sunlight, surpassing conventional low-loading Cu/TiO2 systems under comparable conditions. This strategy is readily extendable to other transition metals (Fe, Co, and Ni), establishing a structural design principle for constructing high-density and speciation-controlled metal sites on oxide supports.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4425-4
Flexible and weavable alternating-current electroluminescent (ACEL) fiber devices are pivotal for wearable displays and human-computer interfaces, yet their intrinsic lack of color tunability restricts high-density information interaction. This study presents a dynamically color-tunable electroluminescent fiber device with a coaxial winding structure that integrates multiple fiber electrodes emitting the three primary colors. Through simple voltage driving, the device achieves a color gamut covering 131.07% of the sRGB standard, enabling arbitrary full-color tunability, including standard white light with CIE coordinates of (0.31, 0.33). The emission peak is continuously tunable over a 161.7 nm range, a 4-fold enhancement compared to previously reported ACEL fibers. The coaxial winding architecture is compatible with large-scale fabrication, yielding hundred-meter-scale fiber devices with a luminance variation of only 2.76%. The electroluminescent performance remains stable under stringent industrial standards: 10,000 friction cycles, 20 accelerated washing cycles, and 10-day storage at 105 °C and −20 °C. Integration into a smart textile watchband demonstrates real-time heart rate visualization via progress color changes and gesture-controlled color switching, validating its potential as an effective human-computer interface.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4490-y
The development of efficient enzyme mimics for CO2 hydration remains a critical challenge for industrial carbon capture. This study reports a bioinspired three-dimensional Zn-coordinated organic framework (Zn-SOF) synthesized via solvothermal assembly of a salen-based ligand with zinc ions. The resulting material exhibits a carbonic anhydrase-like active site with a Zn-N2O2 coordination environment, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Zn-SOF demonstrates a CO2 hydration rate of 3.2 × 10^-3 s^-1 per active site, representing a 12-fold enhancement over the homogeneous Zn-salen complex and approaching 8% of native carbonic anhydrase II activity. The catalyst maintains structural integrity over 10 consecutive cycles with <5% activity loss and operates optimally at 25–40 °C and pH 7.4–9.0. Kinetic analysis reveals a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 28 mM for CO2 and a turnover number (kcat) of 4.1 s^-1, outperforming benchmark Zn-based mimics. The framework's hierarchical porosity (BET surface area: 620 m2 g^-1) facilitates substrate diffusion, while the hydrophobic pore environment enhances CO2 affinity. This work establishes a design paradigm for robust, recyclable enzyme mimics that bridge the gap between homogeneous catalysts and natural enzymes, offering a scalable route for post-combustion CO2 capture.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4480-1
Ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) incorporating a structurally compatible guest acceptor (C7-Cl) into the PM6:BTP-eC9 host system are demonstrated. The low Flory-Huggins interaction parameter between host and guest acceptors facilitates intimate mixing, optimizing molecular packing and energy-level alignment. High-sensitivity sEQE and EQEEL analyses reveal a reduced non-radiative energy loss (KE3) of 0.216 eV in the ternary device. Consequently, the optimized ternary OSC achieves a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.02% and an improved T80 operational lifetime of 1065 h. This work establishes a feasible strategy via structurally compatible guest doping to simultaneously optimize vertical phase separation and suppress non-radiative loss, providing a facile and effective route toward high-performance and stable OSCs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4309-8
Iridium-doped cobalt oxide nanosheets derived from a ZIF template were evaluated as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). Residual carbon was removed via a post-synthetic treatment to isolate intrinsic catalytic behavior. The Ir0.23Co0.77Ox catalyst exhibited enhanced activity and durability relative to commercial IrO2 in a practical PEMWE device. Potential-dependent, stage-resolved characterization combined with theoretical calculations probed catalyst stability under different operating voltages, revealing degradation mechanisms tied to applied potential. Contact angle measurements showed that the Ir0.23Co0.77Ox membrane electrode assembly (MEA) had water and air contact angles of 126° and 143°, respectively, compared to 126° and 143° for an IrO2 MEA at identical Ir loading, indicating improved wettability and gas release behavior. The work provides a framework for understanding potential-dependent stability in acidic OER catalysts and demonstrates a viable route to reduce Ir loading while maintaining PEMWE performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4426-y
Biomedical Mg alloys are candidate biodegradable metals for orthopedic and cardiovascular implants, yet their in vivo service life is governed by coupled mechanical-chemical attack that accelerates loss of mechanical integrity. This review consolidates recent advances in stress-assisted degradation of Mg alloys under physiological conditions, focusing on stress corrosion cracking (SCC), flow-induced corrosion, and corrosion fatigue. Biomechanical-chemical coupling test methods are assessed for their capacity to reproduce physiological loading, fluid shear, and electrolyte chemistry. Mechanistic pathways are analyzed, including anodic dissolution, hydrogen-induced cracking, passivation film rupture, and flow-induced shear stress. Modification strategies for enhancing resistance to stress-assisted degradation are categorized into alloying design, microstructure regulation, and surface treatments. The review further evaluates computer-aided predictive models and multi-physics coupling frameworks that link pit-to-crack transitions, phase-field damage localization, and mechano-chemical peridynamics. Empirical data from the cited literature demonstrate that SCC and corrosion fatigue in chloride-containing media reduce fatigue strength by 40–70% relative to air, while flow-induced shear stresses above approximately 1 Pa disrupt protective films and elevate degradation rates. These findings establish quantitative benchmarks for alloy design and surface engineering. The review concludes that integrating multi-physics modeling with physiologically relevant testing is essential for predicting implant service stability and accelerating clinical translation of high-performance biomedical Mg alloys.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4263-3
Monolayer black phosphorus (phosphorene) exhibits a direct bandgap and strong in-plane anisotropy, making it a promising candidate for near-infrared (NIR) optoelectronic devices. However, the precise modulation of its excitonic emission via anisotropic strain remains insufficiently understood, particularly regarding the contrasting strain responses of phosphorene versus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Here, we combine experimental characterization with tight-binding (TB) modeling to elucidate the strain-dependent bandgap evolution in phosphorene. Using a four-band TB model, we derive the bandgap at the Γ point as E_g^BP = 4t1 + 2t2 + 4t3 + 2t5, with hopping parameters t1 = -1.220 eV, t2 = 3.665 eV, t3 = -0.205 eV, t4 = -0.105 eV, and t5 = -0.055 eV. Under tensile strain along the zigzag (ZZ) direction, the interatomic distance associated with t1 increases, reducing the magnitude of |t1|. Since t1 is negative, the bandgap increases, contrary to the behavior of monolayer MoS2, where tensile strain decreases the bandgap due to positive hopping parameters t11, t22, and t12. This anisotropic strain response enables selective tuning of NIR exciton emission. Our findings provide a quantitative framework for strain engineering in phosphorene-based NIR devices, highlighting the critical role of hopping parameter signs in determining bandgap modulation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4165-1
Developing efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) synthesis is vital for sustainable chemistry, yet optimizing the electronic structure of triazine-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) through precise spatial engineering remains a challenge. In this work, we constructed four model COFs to systematically decode how the spatial arrangement and incorporation level of triazine moieties regulate the electronic structures and H2O2 production efficiency. Combined experimental and theoretical analyses revealed that FB-AT achieved an optimal donor-acceptor architecture via rational spatial arrangement of triazine and benzene moieties. This configuration established an intramolecular potential gradient, which not only promoted charge separation by suppressing the exciton binding energy but also enriched the electron density at triazine sites. These electron-rich active centers significantly facilitated the oxygen reduction reaction by lowering the thermodynamic energy barrier for *OOH intermediate formation. Consequently, FB-AT exhibited a remarkable H2O2 production rate of 11055 μmol g-1 h-1 in pure water, along with a superior solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 1.16%. Additionally, FB-AT enabled complete degradation of phenol, tetracycline, and rhodamine B within 5–15 min of visible light irradiation. This work provides crucial guidance for the rational design of advanced COF photocatalysts for sustainable H2O2 production and water decontamination.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4493-8
Metal halide perovskite photovoltaics have achieved power conversion efficiencies rivaling crystalline silicon, yet their transition from laboratory-scale devices to commercial deployment requires a paradigm shift toward application-specific engineering and macroscopic system integration. This review systematically evaluates the customized deployment of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) across diverse operational theaters, including building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), portable Internet of Things (IoT) systems, agricultural photovoltaics (Agri-PV), vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV), utility-scale tandems, and extreme space environments. Despite these opportunities, critical challenges persist in translating laboratory achievements into industrial-scale production. We critically evaluate primary bottlenecks hindering gigawatt-scale commercialization, focusing on the performance gap inherent in large-area manufacturing. Additionally, we analyze intrinsic material instabilities driven by dynamic ion migration and multi-scale lattice strain under realistic outdoor conditions. To conclude, we outline a strategic roadmap for overcoming these barriers, emphasizing lattice strain regulation, rigorous dynamic environmental testing protocols, and comprehensive sustainable lifecycle management. By synergizing mechanistic insights with scalable manufacturing and ecological assessments, this review provides a holistic framework to accelerate the ubiquitous commercialization of customizable, stable, and high-efficiency perovskite energy systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4244-0
Near-infrared perovskite light-emitting diodes (NIR-PeLEDs) suffer from poor operational stability, largely due to interfacial reactions at the electron-transport layer (ETL)/perovskite interface. Here, we introduce a zinc ion (Zn2+)-chelated hybrid ETL derived from a Zn2+-chelated polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE) complex, which partially retains the surface properties of ZnO but exhibits significantly reduced oxygen defects and surface-adsorbed hydroxyl groups. This well-modulated surface promotes perovskite crystallization and mitigates interface-induced deprotonation of organic cations during device operation. Consequently, NIR-PeLEDs employing this hybrid ETL achieve a peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 20.1%, a high radiance of 652 W sr-1 m-2, and an exceptional T50 lifetime of 270.7 hours at a high current density of 100 mA cm-2, which is over five times that of devices based on conventional ZnO nanocrystal (NC) ETLs. Our results present an effective ETL strategy for operationally stable NIR-PeLEDs and thoroughly reveal the critical role of regulating interfacial reactions in stabilizing buried interfacial contacts. These findings provide valuable insights for advancing perovskite optoelectronic devices that suffer from interface-induced performance degradation.
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/s40843-026-4323-8
Sulfur-based batteries are promising for next-generation energy storage due to high theoretical capacity, natural abundance, and low cost of sulfur cathodes. However, practical implementation is impeded by sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, dissolution and migration of intermediate polysulfides, and formation of insulating discharge products. Conventional catalyst design focuses on charge distribution, adsorption energetics, and structural confinement, yet these approaches incompletely describe the complex electronic processes governing sulfur conversion. Electron spin, an intrinsic quantum degree of freedom, offers an additional dimension for modulating catalytic behavior via its influence on electronic structure and orbital interactions at catalytic interfaces. In spin-polarized systems, changes in occupation and splitting of transition-metal d orbitals can regulate d-p hybridization with sulfur species, affecting interfacial charge transfer and energetics of sulfur redox reactions. This review summarizes recent progress in elucidating and manipulating electron spin in sulfur-based battery systems. Fundamental principles connecting spin states with electronic structure and catalytic behavior are outlined, followed by experimental approaches for probing spin-related electronic properties using spectroscopic and magnetic characterization techniques. Emerging strategies for spin regulation are highlighted, including heteroatom doping, defect engineering, coordination environment modulation, chirality-induced spin selectivity, and external magnetic-field control. Remaining challenges in identifying spin effects under realistic electrochemical conditions are addressed, along with opportunities for integrating spin-related descriptors into catalyst design. Establishing quantitative relationships between spin polarization, orbital hybridization, and sulfur reaction pathways may provide new perspectives for high-performance sulfur-based batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4250-0
Shape memory polymer (SMP)-based transfer printing offers a promising route for heterogeneous integration of flexible electronics, yet non-contact release reliability remains a critical bottleneck. This study systematically investigates the influence of pickup heating modes—localized versus global—on the release yield and energy-delivery mechanisms through combined experiments and finite element simulations. The localized heating mode concentrates strain energy at the interface, enabling controlled chip ejection with high yield, whereas global heating dissipates energy, leading to release failure. Quantitative analysis reveals that localized heating achieves a release yield of 100% under optimized conditions, compared to near-zero for global heating. The ejection velocity under localized heating is higher, which may induce chip bouncing on the receiver substrate, affecting transfer accuracy; however, this can be mitigated by adjusting release gap and laser parameters. The findings establish a theoretical framework for energy pathway design, providing guidelines for achieving high-yield, accurate non-contact release in laser-induced transfer printing. This work advances the practical application of SMP-based transfer printing for micro-LED displays and flexible electronics, addressing a key manufacturing bottleneck.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4202-3
Carbon dots (CDs) with absorption in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 900-1700 nm) hold promise for tumor theranostics, yet existing synthesis methods often involve complex procedures, harsh conditions, or lack precise control. Here we report a 'self-photooxidation-restructuring' strategy that enables structural reorganization of the carbon core in CDs, achieving a significant redshift of absorption into the NIR-II region. Under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, the precursor (B-CDs, absorption in UV region) generates singlet oxygen, which self-oxidizes aldehyde groups and the carbon skeleton of B-CDs to stronger electron-withdrawing carboxyl groups and carbon radicals, respectively. These processes facilitate the formation of new C=C bonds between isolated aromatic domains, thereby transforming B-CDs into novel CDs (N-CDs) characterized by enhanced donor-acceptor interactions and a redshift in absorption toward the NIR-II window. Various experimental data, including high-resolution XPS, FTIR, NMR, EPR, have proved the proposed formation mechanism. The novel N-CDs afforded a high photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 71.33%, which enabled 1064 nm laser-activated photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) in tumors. This work opens a new avenue for the synthesis and modulation of CDs in the NIR-II region.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4342-3
Electron acceptors containing single-bond-linked building blocks offer attractive advantages for organic solar cells owing to their synthetic simplicity and structural modularity. However, achieving backbone planarity without compromising electronic compatibility remains a persistent challenge. Conventional conformational locking strategies based on alkoxy substitution can effectively suppress torsional freedom but often elevate the highest occupied molecular orbital energy level, limiting compatibility with widely used donor polymers. Here, we report a partially fused electron acceptor design that achieves intrinsic backbone planarity through heterocycle selection rather than side-chain-assisted conformational locking. By incorporating a benzodifuran core and furan-thiophene linkages, the resulting acceptors exhibit a near-coplanar backbone geometry as revealed by density functional theory calculations, without the need for electronically perturbing alkoxy groups. Devices based on the optimized acceptor (BDF-1) deliver a binary power conversion efficiency of 12.2%, and further improvement to 19.5% is achieved in a ternary blend with PM6 and BTP-eC9. The enhanced performance is accompanied by favorable morphology, balanced charge transport, and suppressed recombination losses. This work provides molecular-level insight into partially fused acceptor design and demonstrates that heteroatom-guided conformational locking offers a viable strategy for expanding the design space of acceptors with single-bond-linked building blocks while maintaining compatibility with mainstream donor systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4262-7
The escalating demands of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural computing necessitate multifunctional optoelectronic devices capable of integrating sensing, memory, and processing. Two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) offer unique advantages, yet their practical deployment is hindered by complex architectures and inefficient mode-switching. Here, we demonstrate a MoTe2/SnS2 anti-ambipolar heterojunction device enabling single-gate reconfiguration among frequency doubling, broadband photodetection, and neuromorphic computing. The device exhibits a peak-to-valley ratio (PVR) of 465, ensuring efficient frequency doubling. As a photodetector, it operates across an exceptionally broad spectral range of 520–2200 nm, with outstanding responsivity and detectivity. Furthermore, the device emulates complete synaptic behaviors, including short-term plasticity (STP), long-term plasticity (LTP), and paired-pulse facilitation (PPF). Integrated into a reservoir computing (RC) system trained on a vehicle motion dataset, it achieves a directional recognition accuracy of 98.7%. This work establishes a paradigm for multifunctional integration and low-power neuromorphic computing, advancing next-generation intelligent optoelectronic systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4315-2
High-temperature X-ray imaging demands scintillators with high crystallinity, efficient scintillation, and robust thermal stability, yet suitable materials remain scarce. Here, we report an ultra-high-crystallinity transparent glass-ceramic (GC) scintillator strategically designed via controllable heat-treatment-induced crystallization. A sequential precipitation method is employed, where cubic CaF2 nanocrystals initially form, subsequently promoting heterogeneous nucleation and growth of hexagonal BaAl2Si2O8. Intrinsic nanoscale phase separation into F-rich and O-rich domains significantly reduces atomic diffusion distances, yielding an unprecedented crystallinity of up to 97.6%. Notably, defect traps (oxygen vacancy defects, likely located within the lattice or at crystalline/amorphous interfaces) enable efficient carrier capture and thermally stimulated release, contributing to remarkable resistance to thermal quenching. Consequently, the GC scintillator maintains 90.6% of its integrated X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) intensity at 300 °C, with the integrated XEL intensity reaching 94.2% of commercial Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) at room temperature. This enables stable high-temperature X-ray imaging with a spatial resolution of ~10.4 lp mm−1 up to 225 °C. This work provides a versatile pathway for developing high-sensitivity scintillators for extreme-environment X-ray imaging.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4277-1
Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials hold promise for next-generation spintronics, yet most exhibit Curie temperatures (Tc) far below room temperature, limiting practical applications. Here, we report the realization of room-temperature ferromagnetism in CuCrSe2 nanosheets via controlled anion removal achieved by post-synthetic vacuum annealing. Raw CuCrSe2 shows a low Tc of ~120 K, whereas annealed CuCrSe2 (A-CuCrSe2) nanosheets exhibit robust ferromagnetic ordering above 300 K. Structural and compositional analyses, including transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, confirm that A-CuCrSe2 retains the original layered crystal structure with an estimated Se vacancy concentration of approximately 10%. Magnetic measurements reveal room-temperature ferromagnetism in exfoliated nanosheets, corroborated by magnetic imaging and electric transport measurements. Anomalous Hall effect (AHE) measurements uncover the coexistence of two ferromagnetic phases within the same sample: one with low Tc (~120 K) and another with high Tc (>300 K), indicating spatially heterogeneous magnetic ordering driven by anion removal distribution. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate the microscopic mechanism, suggesting that Se vacancies modulate the magnetic exchange interactions, enhancing Tc. This work demonstrates that anion modulation is an effective intrinsic strategy to achieve room-temperature ferromagnetism in 2D materials, potentially advancing spintronic applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4183-3
Excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation poses significant risks to human health, necessitating highly sensitive detection systems. Organic photodetectors (OPDs) offer high sensitivity and tunable spectral response, but their UV performance is constrained by conventional glass/indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates and electrodes, and insufficient photoactive layer responsivity. Here, we report high-performance UV-OPDs achieved through UV-transparent window and active-layer optimization. Replacing glass/ITO with a UV-transparent window comprising a quartz substrate and PH1000 electrode enhances UV transmittance. Integrating the high UV-responsive blend PM6:Y6:PC71BM as the active layer, the optimal ternary UV-OPD exhibits external quantum efficiency (EQE) exceeding 53% across 280–400 nm, with a peak EQE of 78.29% and responsivity of 214.68 mA/W at 340 nm, alongside a rapid response time of 2.6/2.1 μs. This performance represents the best combination of responsivity and response time reported to date in the UV region. We demonstrate the potential of these UV-OPDs for outdoor real-time UV monitoring. This work presents a promising strategy for developing high-performance UV-OPDs through transparent substrate and electrode engineering, and active-layer optimization.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3629-3
Electrically pumped lasers with reduced physical dimensions are critical for future optical information processing, storage, and photonic integrated circuits. However, electrical injection in perovskite lasers faces challenges including material instability, non-radiative losses, and Joule heating. Here, we demonstrate an ultralow-threshold perovskite microlaser decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), enabling simultaneous optical pumping and current injection at ambient temperature. The lasing threshold is reduced to 8.6 μJ/cm², approximately 44% lower than that of pristine devices (15.3 μJ/cm²). The AuNPs, with optimized size, enhance both lasing performance and electrical properties, achieving a current injection density of 2.98 kA/cm². AuNPs accelerate hot-carrier cooling, reducing non-radiative recombination and mitigating Joule heating. The threshold decreases progressively with increasing electrical assist fraction. Stability tests confirm excellent resistance to aging and humidity, with stable lasing output under co-excitation in ambient air. This work underscores the feasibility of electrically driven perovskite microlasers, offering a pathway toward electrically pumped microlaser diodes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3588-2
The rapid evolution of aerospace technology necessitates the development of multi-functional composites that combine light weight, mechanical robustness, thermal protection/insulation, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. C/SiC porous ceramic composites are promising for thermal protection in hypersonic vehicles. Here, we report a facile strategy to fabricate Cf/SiC composite polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) via re-pyrolysis of high-energy ball-milled polycarbosilane-vinyltriethoxysilane-graphene oxide (PVG) with Cf/SiC(rGO)p blend interleaves. In-situ generated honeycomb-like cellular structures and non-directional channels reduce density and increase porosity. High-quality SiO2 joints, formed from Si-dangling bonds, strengthen interfacial bonding via a brazing effect, while in-situ SiOC nanowires (SiOCnws) create a hierarchically enhanced network, improving fracture toughness and crack resistance. Multi-scale interfacial/dipole polarization enhances EMI shielding. The optimized Cf(0.2)/SiC(rGO) composite exhibits low density (1.49 g cm−3), high fracture toughness (6.32 MPa m1/2), hardness (7.18 GPa), compressive strength (72.67 MPa), and EMI shielding effectiveness of 58.31 dB. It maintains structural stability under butane blowtorch ablation at ~1300 °C for 3600 s. Porous variants show thermal conductivity of 0.211 W m−1 K−1 with 69.74% porosity. These multi-functional composites are promising for thermal protection systems in aerospace applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3677-9
The demand for high-performance scintillators in high-temperature applications, such as industrial flaw detection and oil exploration, necessitates materials with both high efficiency and thermal robustness. This work reports Tb3+-doped oxyfluoride glass scintillators exhibiting anti-thermal-quenching radioluminescence (RL). Three synergistic strategies were employed: (i) an oxyfluoride glass host providing a low-phonon-energy environment, (ii) increased structural densification of the glass network, and (iii) thermally enhanced energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+. The resulting scintillators achieve an optical transmittance exceeding 88% at 542 nm, a record RL intensity of 350% relative to a standard Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystal, and an imaging resolution of 24 lp mm−1. Notably, the RL intensity at 633 K reaches 143% of its room-temperature (303 K) value, demonstrating significant anti-thermal-quenching behavior. In contrast, commercial BGO and CsI:Tl scintillators exhibit RL intensities dropping to approximately 1% under identical conditions. These results establish the potential of Tb3+-doped glass scintillators for high-temperature X-ray imaging and provide a strategic framework for developing thermally robust scintillating materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3642-4
High-density glass scintillators are promising alternatives to crystals for next-generation radiation detection due to their low cost, excellent physical and chemical stability, and processability. In this study, a series of Ce3+-activated gadolinium gallium borosilicate (GGBS x) glasses were synthesized via vacuum melt-quenching. With increasing Gd2O3 content, glass density increased from 5.86 to 6.05 g/cm3, and molar volume from 36.43 to 39.79 cm3/mol. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis revealed that in GGBS 1 glass, Ce3+ exclusively adopts a hexahedral [CeO6] configuration, while Gd3+ exhibits both hexahedral and octahedral coordination with a bond length of 2.35±0.1 Å and Debye-Waller factor σ2 of 0.0122±0.0015 Å2. As Gd2O3 content increased, shallow trap depth rose from 0.804 to 0.858 eV, while deep trap depth first increased from 0.948 to 1.434 eV then decreased to 1.010 eV. GGBS 1 glass exhibited high transmittance (~80%) in the visible range and a photoluminescence quantum yield of 78.4%. Under X-ray irradiation, its X-ray excited luminescence intensity reached 128.5% of that of Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystal, with a spatial resolution of 29.1 lp/mm, approaching the highest reported for glass scintillators. Under γ-ray excitation, it achieved a light yield of 1058 photons/MeV and an energy resolution of 23.7% at 662 keV. These results indicate that GGBS 1 glass scintillator warrants further development for applications in X-ray imaging and γ-ray spectroscopy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3630-2
This study demonstrates a dual-interface engineering approach for performance enhancement in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. By applying ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDAI2) to simultaneously modify both top and bottom interfaces of wide-bandgap perovskite layers, we achieve synergistic defect suppression and charge transport optimization. Time-resolved photoluminescence characterization reveals extended carrier lifetimes and improved spatial homogeneity in dual-modified perovskite films. The optimized single-junction wide-bandgap (>1.66 eV) perovskite solar cells attain a champion efficiency of 22.75% with enhanced operational stability. Implemented in perovskite-silicon tandem configuration, the devices achieve over 31% power conversion efficiency, validating the effectiveness of organic ligand-mediated dual-interface engineering in regulating carrier dynamics and advancing perovskite-based tandem photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3506-3
Metallic glasses (MGs) often suffer from sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics in neutral and alkaline media, with their catalytic performance predominantly confined to acidic environments. Herein, we reported a novel thermoplastic forming technique to fabricate a self-supported partially crystallized nanoporous Pt56.2Ni5.2Cu16.8P21.8 metallic glass (C-NPMG). The C-NPMG catalyst delivers ultralow overpotentials of 18.0 mV (0.5 M H2SO4), 42.2 mV (1 M KOH), and 88.0 mV (1 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)) at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, outperforming most state-of-the-art non-noble MGs and Pt-based benchmarks across all pH conditions. Notably, it maintains negligible performance decay for over 1000 h in alkaline electrolytes, showcasing superior stability. Experimental and computational analyses reveal that the enhanced HER activity arises from three synergistic effects: (1) the high-specific-surface-area nanoporous architecture that maximizes active site exposure; (2) the formation of crystallite-amorphous interfaces during partial crystallization, which lowers the energy barrier for H2 desorption; (3) the hierarchical super-hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic wettability of the C-NPMG, which optimizes mass transport and prevents electrolyte-induced corrosion. This work establishes a novel design paradigm for developing high-performance, pH-universal HER electrocatalysts by integrating structural nano-engineering and crystallite-amorphous phase synergy in metallic glass systems to overcome the trade-offs between performance and stability in electrochemical water splitting.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3686-6
Fused silica (SiO2) exhibits exceptional thermal stability and dielectric properties, making it an attractive material for aerospace and military applications. However, its relatively poor mechanical performance has limited its widespread practical utilization. This study proposed an innovative approach to fabricate SiO2-hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) composite ceramics via spark plasma sintering (SPS), leveraging the high-temperature phase transformation of cubic boron nitride (cBN) to introduce randomly oriented hBN as a reinforcing phase within the SiO2 matrix. The randomly oriented hBN nanoplates allow cracks to propagate along stronger grain boundaries, rather than along weaker interlayers of hBN, significantly improving the overall strength and fracture toughness of the composite. The maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness achieved are 183.4 MPa and 2.06 MPa m1/2 respectively, which are 3.6 times and 4 times that of fused SiO2. Concurrently, the composites exhibit low dielectric constants (ε = 3.58–3.69) and dielectric losses (tan δ < 0.0087) at 1 MHz. This work successfully enhanced the mechanical performance of fused SiO2 while preserving its excellent dielectric characteristics, opening new possibilities for its potential applications in advanced structural and functional fields.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3789-x
Wearable sensors have attracted significant attention due to their superior sensitivity, safety, and adaptability compared with conventional detection technologies. However, developing sustainable sensing materials that combine excellent performance with environmental friendliness remains a significant challenge. In this study, Juncus effusus (JE), a natural fiber featuring a unique internal three-dimensional (3D) network structure, was employed as the substrate. Conductive polyaniline was loaded onto the JE structure to impart electrical conductivity, and Ecoflex encapsulation provided high elasticity. Based on this approach, a JE-based resistive flexible sensor (PHE-JE) was successfully fabricated. The PHE-JE sensor exhibits high stability under various strain conditions, along with excellent flexibility and durability. Moreover, benefiting from its complex 3D structure and synergistic material interactions, the PHE-JE sensor enables accurate detection of diverse motion types, showing promising potential for future wearable sensing applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3683-y
Effective management of traumatic hemorrhage requires rapid blood loss control and facile removal of hemostatic materials to minimize secondary tissue damage. We fabricated a strongly adhesive aerogel (OPA) via Schiff-base crosslinking of oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) and ε-polylysine (ε-PL), enabling rapid hemostasis in lethal arterial trauma and on-demand removal via phase transition. OPAs exhibited tunable porosity and rapid blood absorption. Surface hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups promoted strong hydrogen bonding with tissues, blood cells, and plasma proteins, enhancing tissue adhesion and platelet capture/activation. In a rabbit femoral-artery-injury model, OPA4 shortened hemostatic time by ~80% and reduced blood loss to 38% of the blank group. Notably, OPAs retained only 2% of initial adhesion after hydration, allowing gentle removal. OPAs also demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The simple one-step freeze-drying process and tailorable shapes offer scalable production and versatile applications. This study provides a versatile strategy for emergency and surgical hemostasis, combining rapid control of life-threatening arterial bleeding with on-demand atraumatic removal, promising improved patient outcomes and streamlined postoperative care.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3697-8
Multi-site coupling is a promising strategy for developing highly efficient and CO-resistant hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, designing multifunctional synergistic schemes for single-atom sites remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a dual-template-confined oxophilic engineering strategy to construct well-dispersed iridium-nickel (IrNi) atomic dimers adjacent to IrNi nanoclusters on porous nitrogen-doped carbon (IrNi Dimer/NC1.8-PNC). The paired IrNi dimer features an asymmetric Ir-N3 configuration coordinated with heteroatomic Ni-N3O via an N-bridge. Remarkably, IrNi Dimer/NC1.8-PNC exhibits a ~23-fold enhancement in mass activity (4.36 A mg−1 Ir at 20 mV) and 5-fold longer stability compared to benchmarking Pt/C toward HOR, while achieving a high rated power density of 1.18 W cm−2 in PEMFC anode applications. Furthermore, IrNi Dimer/NC1.8-PNC demonstrates superior CO tolerance over monometallic Ir and Pt/C in both half-cell and full-cell devices. Combined experimental and density functional theory studies reveal that oxophilic Ni modulates the electronic environment of Ir through alloying and dimer interactions, thereby enhancing HOR activity. Importantly, the asymmetric IrNi dimer enables efficient CO* and OH* co-adsorption while facilitating CO2* desorption, synergistically mitigating CO poisoning and improving atom utilization efficiency. This work provides a design strategy and fundamental insights for multi-site synergistic catalysts in PEMFC anodes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3710-y
Layered transition metal oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) suffer from Jahn–Teller distortion of MnO6, Na+/vacancy ordering, and irreversible lattice oxygen loss, causing capacity fading and voltage decay. Here, we report a P2-type material, Na0.67Ni0.3Mn0.6Li0.09Sn0.01O2 (NNMO-Li0.09Sn0.01), co-doped with closed-shell Li+ and Sn4+ ions. Li+ increases the Mn4+/Mn3+ ratio, mitigating Jahn–Teller distortion, and disrupts Ni/Mn ordering, suppressing Na+/vacancy ordering. Sn4+ forms stronger Sn–O bonds (548 kJ mol−1), enhancing bonding between transition metal ions and oxygen, reducing oxygen loss. NNMO-Li0.09Sn0.01 delivers a specific capacity of 90.3 mAh g−1 with 62.9% capacity retention after 50 cycles at 0.1 C (1 C = 200 mA g−1), and 90.3% voltage retention. This closed-shell substitution strategy offers a viable approach for enhancing structural stability of wide-voltage layered oxide cathodes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3807-8
Electrocatalytic co-reduction of CO2 and nitrate offers a sustainable route for urea synthesis, valorizing nitrogenous waste and CO2. However, achieving high-performance urea electrosynthesis under ambient conditions remains challenging due to the need for simultaneous activation of CO2 and efficient H2O dissociation to supply active *H for *NOx hydrogenation, ultimately forming key C- and N-containing intermediates for C–N coupling. Here, we report a bifunctional Pd-single-atom-modified Cu (Pd1Cu) nanorod catalyst that synergistically promotes adsorption and stepwise activation of CO2 and H2O, steering the reaction pathway toward selective urea synthesis. Integrating experimental evidence, in situ spectroscopy, and computational analyses, we disclose that atomically dispersed Pd sites kinetically favor co-generation of *CO and *NH2 via H2O dissociation-driven proton transfer, forming an optimal intermediate balance. The dual metal active sites enhance C–N coupling via combined electronic and geometric effects, substantially lowering the reaction energy barrier and improving selectivity. This work provides a rational design strategy for advanced multifunctional catalysts for urea electrosynthesis, contributing to carbon neutrality and waste nitrogen valorization.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3805-1
The sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER) at the air electrode impede the practical deployment of fiber zinc-air batteries (FZABs) for wearable electronics. Conventional bifunctional catalysts suffer from an inherent activity trade-off due to the distinct mechanisms of ORR and OER. Here, we propose a spatial decoupling strategy to overcome this limitation by engineering isolated Fe single atoms and Fe–Ir dual-atom pairs on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (Fe/FeIr-NC). In this architecture, Fe single atoms serve as ORR centers, while Fe–Ir pairs with tunable spacing are tailored for OER, enabling complete functional separation and independent optimization. The catalyst exhibits an ORR half-wave potential of 0.91 V and an OER overpotential of 250 mV at 10 mA cm−2, yielding a record-low bifunctional gap (ΔE = 0.57 V) that outperforms all reported single- and dual-atom catalysts. A flexible fiber zinc-air battery based on this catalyst delivers a peak power density of 3920 W kg−1, along with a 1.4-fold increase in energy efficiency and a 2.6-fold extension in cycle life compared to the commercial Pt/C + IrO2 benchmark. This work not only breaks the traditional activity trade-off in bifunctional catalysis but also offers a promising route toward high-performance power sources for wearable electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3815-0
The development of bifunctional electrocatalysts capable of integrating biomass-derived platform molecule oxidation with organic reduction offers a promising strategy for simultaneously enhancing energy efficiency and generating high-value chemicals. However, designing catalysts that exhibit both high activity and stability in integrated systems remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a self-supported electrode composed of nitrogen-doped carbonized wood (NCW) supported NiCo nanosheets (NiCo 0.3/NCW) that enables the electrocatalytic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and the nitrobenzene reduction to yield aniline in an integrated electrochemical cell. The NiCo 0.3/NCW electrode achieves the production of FDCA and aniline at a low cell voltage of 1.7 V, with ~99% anodic and ~92% cathodic Faradaic efficiencies, respectively. Experimental characterizations disclose that the hierarchical porous NCW architecture promotes the dispersion of active sites, while nitrogen doping strengthens metal–support interactions. In-situ spectroscopic experiments combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that cobalt incorporation tunes the electronic structure of nickel, thus optimizing substrate and intermediate adsorption, and lowering energy barriers. These effects ultimately enhance the performance of the natural wood-derived catalyst in integrated biomass valorization and selective organic electrosynthesis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3777-0
Optically clear adhesives (OCAs) are critical for next-generation optoelectronic systems, yet their end-of-life management remains a sustainability challenge. Here, we report a debondable and robust polyurethane (PU)-based OCA that integrates both mechanical and chemical recyclability. The PU-based OCA exhibits high optical transparency (>90% transmittance from visible to near-infrared), strong adhesion to glass and polymeric substrates (bonding strength up to 5.0 MPa), and thermally sensitive H-bonding interactions that enable on-demand deadhesion at elevated temperatures. This capability facilitates non-destructive detachment of functional assemblies, promoting component reuse and material recycling. The adhesive demonstrates excellent mechanical properties, including ductility and strength, and outperforms several commercial optical adhesives in key performance metrics. Its straightforward synthesis and industrial scalability make it a promising solution for advancing circular economy principles in optoelectronic device manufacturing. The work addresses critical bottlenecks in balancing mechanical performance, adhesion/detachment, and recyclability, offering a transformative approach to sustainable advanced manufacturing.
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/s40843-025-3692-9
Doping is essential for modulating semiconductor conductivity, forming p–n junctions, and reducing contact resistance. However, organic semiconductors (OSCs) face challenges in achieving precise regional doping due to uncontrollable dopant diffusion and poor process compatibility. This highlight discusses a breakthrough light-triggered strategy for spatially controlled n-type doping in OSCs, developed by Pei's Group. The method employs inert photoactivable dopants (iPADs) that are thermally stable but undergo rapid 6π-electrocyclization upon UV irradiation, transforming into potent n-dopants (PADs). These PADs irreversibly dope n-type OSCs via hydride transfer. With a high activation barrier (>28 kcal mol−1), the reaction is thermally suppressed even at 120°C, enabling orthogonal control: doping occurs only where and when light is applied. This approach achieves down to 1 μm spatial resolution, far surpassing physical masking methods. The method's universality accommodates diverse n-type OSCs (LUMO: −3.7 to −4.7 eV) with conductivity enhancements up to nine orders of magnitude (exceeding 30 S cm−1 in some systems). Doping levels, conductivity, and Fermi energy are tunable via UV dose and dopant concentration. The doped regions exhibit robust stability and withstand subsequent thermal processing, aligning with large-scale and flexible manufacturing. In organic field-effect transistors, precise spatial doping significantly enhances carrier mobility, reduces contact resistance to one-sixth of its original value, and effectively lowers surface trap density, providing critical support for device miniaturization and high-density integration.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3716-x
Flexible pressure sensors (FPSs) are pivotal for fall detection and rehabilitation training, yet conventional synthetic-based sensors suffer from resource-intensive manufacturing, high costs, and environmental pollution. This study introduces a sustainable fabrication strategy for FPSs using natural materials. Electrodes were fabricated by treating natural wood strips with a flame retardant, converting them into high-quality graphene via cost-effective infrared laser processing, and transferring onto starch-based substrates. The dielectric layer comprised an electrospun composite nanofiber membrane of cyclodextrin and carbon nanotubes. The resultant capacitive FPS exhibited high sensitivity (2.15 kPa⁻¹ within 0–10 kPa), a low detection limit (~6.5 Pa), rapid response and recovery times (29 ms and 39 ms), and excellent long-term stability exceeding 5000 cycles. Biocompatibility was outstanding (cell viability >98%), and the sensor fully degraded within 6 hours. Integrated with wireless technology, the sensor enabled a fall detection and rehabilitation monitoring system. Data processing utilized a Tiny Machine Learning module on a mobile platform, transmitting data to a cloud-based system. The system accurately identified five common fall postures and assisted clinicians in guiding rehabilitation exercises, achieving recognition accuracies of 99% and 100%, respectively. This work offers a sustainable healthcare solution for elderly care, addressing environmental and economic limitations of existing FPS technologies.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506041
Urban and rural multi-source organic waste faces bottlenecks including high compositional heterogeneity, single resource recovery pathways, and uneven product quality. In the Taihu Lake region, active tourism and catering, high greening, and dense water networks generate large volumes of diverse waste with high moisture content, exacerbating these issues. This study evaluated a coupled bio-drying and aerobic composting process at a demonstration center in Linhu Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, employing a three-stage control strategy: gradient dewatering, high-temperature stabilization, and maturation enhancement. Continuous operation showed that kitchen waste moisture content decreased from 77.70% to 58.69% after 1 day of bio-drying, to 23.22% after 7 days of silo reactor composting, and to 17.70% after at least 20 days of maturation. The aerobic composting phase maintained temperatures above 55°C for over 5 days, reaching a maximum of 68.1°C, meeting the harmless treatment requirements of CJJ 52—2014. After 20 days of maturation, the organic fertilizer product had an electrical conductivity below 4.00 mS·cm−1, organic matter content of 51.22%, total nutrient content of 5.61%, and heavy metal concentrations below the limits of NY/T 525—2021. The results provide technical support for efficient treatment and resource utilization of urban and rural organic waste.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506020
The rotary kiln roasting of lepidolite for lithium extraction faces challenges of unstable lithium conversion rates and high energy consumption. To address this, a multi-objective optimization method coupling improved neural network simulation with a multi-objective genetic algorithm was proposed, targeting the synergistic optimization of lithium conversion rate (TRLi) and natural gas consumption intensity (EIng). Using long-term industrial time-series data of batching parameters and kiln operating variables, back-propagation (BP) neural network and its particle swarm optimization (PSO) improved variant were developed to model TRLi and EIng. The PSO-BP model demonstrated superior accuracy in capturing the complex nonlinear relationships, reducing mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) to 0.278 and 0.284 for TRLi and EIng, respectively. Subsequently, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) was employed to construct a multi-objective optimization model, yielding a Pareto-optimal set of process parameters that maximize TRLi and minimize EIng. The results revealed that under NSGA-II optimized conditions, TRLi could be stabilized between 82.45% and 87.96%, an average increase of 3.61 percentage points over baseline operations, while EIng could be reduced to 53.7 m3 per ton of clinker. For an annual processing capacity of 3.2×105 tons of lepidolite concentrate and sulfate mixture, this corresponds to an additional 127.1 tons of lithium metal recovery, a reduction of 1,964,912 m3 in natural gas consumption, and a decrease of 3,763.84 tons in CO2 emissions annually. This study provides theoretical and technical support for the green, high-quality, and low-carbon supply of critical raw materials for the lithium battery new energy industry.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60617-7
The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, with wind energy gaining increasing prominence due to its clean and renewable nature. However, as installed wind power capacity expands, disposal of waste wind turbine blades (WWTB) has emerged as a significant challenge. These blades are predominantly composed of epoxy resin (EP) polymers, carbon fibers (CFs), and glass fibers (GFs). Improper disposal exacerbates environmental concerns and leads to loss of valuable resources, particularly carbon-based materials. Pyrolysis technology, a versatile and environmentally sustainable method for resource recovery, has garnered considerable attention for WWTB disposal. This work presents a comprehensive review of pyrolytic recycling of WWTB, focusing on principles and classifications of pyrolysis technology, key factors influencing the pyrolysis process, as well as pyrolysis methods, equipment, products, and their applications. Through in-depth analysis of current research, this review identifies critical unresolved issues and provides a forward-looking perspective on emerging research trends. The review highlights that pyrolysis can effectively recover glass fibers and carbon fibers with mechanical property retention depending on process conditions, and that catalytic pyrolysis can enhance the quality of recovered products. Economic analysis indicates that collaborative disposal methods can improve cost-effectiveness. Future research should focus on optimizing process parameters for large-scale industrial application and developing more efficient catalysts to improve product selectivity and fiber quality.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025121602
This study characterized the body burden of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a physical examination population in Shenzhen and evaluated its impact on thyroid function. Serum samples from 368 residents were analyzed for eight PBDE congeners using atmospheric pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (APGC-MS/MS). The median concentration of ∑8PBDEs was 10.2 ng·g⁻¹ lipid weight (lw), ranging from 0.13 to 2089.4 ng·g⁻¹ lw, with BDE-209 predominating (59.7% of total). Multiple linear regression revealed that a 1.7-fold increase in serum BDE-153 was associated with a 0.4% increase in free triiodothyronine (FT3) (P<0.05), while a 1.7-fold increase in BDE-183 was associated with a 0.9% decrease in total triiodothyronine (T3) and a 0.7% decrease in FT3 (P<0.05). Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) indicated a negative correlation between mixed PBDE exposure and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at high exposure levels. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression showed that mixed exposure was associated with decreased T3 levels and T3/FT3 ratio, with BDE-153 and BDE-183 as the primary contributors. These findings suggest that PBDE exposure may adversely affect thyroid function and disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis, with BDE-183 and BDE-153 playing key roles. This study provides a scientific basis for PBDE health risk assessment and thyroid protection.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025101101
Acetamiprid, a representative neonicotinoid insecticide, persists in soil and water, posing ecological risks. This study evaluated its transgenerational toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to 1, 10, and 100 μg·L−1. Direct exposure (F0) caused neurobehavioral abnormalities, with head swing frequency significantly increased by 23.86% even at 1.0 μg·L−1, correlating with disrupted acetylcholinesterase and γ-aminobutyric acid. Reproduction, development, metabolism, and intestinal barrier were impaired, with reactive oxygen species elevated by 30.42%–48.28%, indicating oxidative stress as a mechanism. Effects transmitted to unexposed T1–T3 generations: at 1.0 μg·L−1, body width inhibition persisted to T2; fat accumulation and intestinal permeability effects intensified with concentration. Among oxidative stress biomarkers, superoxide dismutase showed highest sensitivity and transgenerational persistence. This study reveals multidimensional transgenerational toxicity, informing soil ecological risk assessment of neonicotinoids.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604007
Low C/N ratios in wastewater treatment plant effluent necessitate external carbon sources for denitrification, but conventional liquid carbon sources are costly and unstable. This study prepared nine composite solid-phase carbon sources by combining PHBV with natural cellulose materials (straw, sawdust, corncob) at different mass ratios. Dynamic release experiments, DOC analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and EEM fluorescence were employed to characterize carbon release. Results showed that increasing cellulose proportion in corncob-based sources led to release patterns opposite to those of straw- and sawdust-based sources. For straw and sawdust, higher cellulose ratios accelerated release rates, increased total release and duration, reduced aromaticity and molecular weight of released DOM, and promoted protein-like components (tryptophan, tyrosine), indicating enhanced bioavailability. Under identical ratios, corncob-based sources exhibited moderate total release, release durations exceeding 134 h, lower DOM aromaticity and molecular weight, and lower humic substance proportion, indicating superior bioavailability and engineering potential. Among the nine sources, JG5, MX5, and CC4 (PHBV:cellulose mass ratios of 4:5, 4:5, and 1:1, respectively) showed optimal comprehensive performance with low theoretical maximum release, long release periods, and high mass transfer coefficients. EEM-PARAFAC identified three DOM components (protein-like C1, C2; humic-like C3), with protein-like components dominating. This study validates the relationship between cellulose proportion and release kinetics and reveals synergistic regulation of DOM components, offering guidance for designing effective solid-phase carbon sources.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604015
Shale gas extraction generates hazardous oily sludge, necessitating effective in-situ treatment. Microemulsion technology offers low energy consumption, cost efficiency, and high oil removal without heating. This study investigates single-surfactant microemulsions using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS), and composite microemulsions with sodium silicate (Na2SiO3). Phase behavior and effects of surfactant, alcohol, and salt concentrations on oil removal were examined. Optimal single formulations achieved removal rates of 86.33% for SDS (SDS:alcohol:NaCl = 2.72%:13.21%:2.17% mass ratio) and 87.45% for AOS (SDS:alcohol:NaCl = 2.72%:15.41%:2.17%). SDS microemulsions showed superior phase stability despite slightly lower removal efficiency. Composite SDS-Na2SiO3 microemulsion achieved 92.47% oil removal, outperforming single systems, and could be recycled five times while meeting national secondary reuse standards. AOS-Na2SiO3 exhibited better salt resistance, whereas SDS-Na2SiO3 showed better alcohol resistance. This work provides a novel approach for in-situ oily sludge treatment.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604019
A two-stage electrostatic precipitator (ESP) integrating a sawtooth-rod electrode precharging unit and a plate-plate collection unit was developed for simultaneous removal of fine particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from catering fumes. Using KCl particles and toluene as surrogates, the system achieved a fine particle (<0.3 µm) collection efficiency of 91% and a total particle collection efficiency exceeding 98% at applied voltages of +12 kV (sawtooth-rod) and -8.5 kV (plate-plate), with an ozone concentration of 176.9 mg/m³. The presence of particles enhanced toluene degradation, increasing removal efficiency from 29.2% to 53.1%. Positive DC discharge on the sawtooth-rod electrode yielded a higher corona current (800 µA vs. 375 µA for negative) and lower ozone generation (101.4 mg/m³ vs. 176.9 mg/m³), indicating superior suitability for catering fume treatment. The stable discharge characteristics of the sawtooth-rod electrode reduce energy consumption and extend operational cycles, offering a promising technical pathway for efficient, compact, and intelligent ESP systems in catering fume purification.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4094-8
Deep-blue multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters with high efficiency, high color purity, and high brightness are critically important for next-generation OLED displays, yet remain challenging due to severe aggregation and host-guest interactions in the solid state. Herein, we report a core-encapsulating molecular design strategy in which bulky and non-conjugated peripheral groups are introduced to sterically encapsulate a blue-emitting MR core, thereby suppressing intermolecular π-π interactions without perturbing its intrinsic electronic structure. Two new emitters, DNa-BN and QNa-BN, featuring half-encapsulated and fully encapsulated MR-core architectures, respectively, were developed. Owing to its fully encapsulated structure, QNa-BN exhibits pronounced aggregation resistance at high doping concentrations, maintaining photoluminescence quantum yields exceeding 96%, radiative decay rate constants on the order of 10^8 s−1, and fast reverse intersystem crossing rates (~10^5 s−1). Consequently, sensitizer-free OLEDs based on QNa-BN deliver narrowband deep-blue emission at 458 nm with a full width at half maximum of 22 nm, CIE coordinates of (0.142, 0.085), a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE_max) of 34.4%, and a maximum luminance exceeding 20,000 cd m−2. Furthermore, by adopting a hyperfluorescence architecture, the EQE_max is further boosted to 38.7% with significantly suppressed efficiency roll-off. This work demonstrates that steric encapsulation of the MR core provides an effective and general approach to achieving aggregation-resistant, high-efficiency, and high-brightness deep-blue MR-TADF emitters for OLED applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3595-7
Cu(I) complexes exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) have emerged as promising alternatives to noble-metal-based emitters for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). However, the development of red-emitting Cu(I) complexes has been hindered by slow radiative decay and fast nonradiative decay. In this study, a linear two-coordinate Cu(I) complex, ICuTMC, was designed and synthesized. By pairing a pyrazine-fused N-heterocyclic carbene and a tetra-methylcarbazolyl ligand, a strong ligand-to-ligand charge transfer excited state is generated. Single-crystal structure authenticates close intramolecular C–H···Cu contacts, providing good steric shielding to the metal center. C–H···π interactions between ligands are also revealed. The complex exhibits highly efficient red TADF with emission maximum at 622 nm, photoluminescence quantum yield of 76%, and short delayed fluorescence lifetime of 0.24 μs. This is enabled by a large oscillator strength from the coplanar donor-Cu-acceptor conformation, a small singlet-triplet energy gap from spatial separation of frontier molecular orbitals, and strong spin-orbit coupling from the metal center. Vacuum-deposited OLEDs based on ICuTMC achieve a peak external quantum efficiency of 25.9% and a significantly small roll-off of 1.9% at 10,000 cd m−2. These performances demonstrate a way to overcome the energy gap law for linear coinage metal complexes toward red OLEDs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3882-y
Organic semiconductor crystals with well-defined morphologies are highly desirable for high-performance optoelectronic devices, yet precise control over their growth remains a challenge. Here, a novel donor-acceptor (D-A) molecule, TQDPT, has been successfully developed, featuring a rigid π-conjugated acceptor core composed of thiazoloquinoxaline and naphthalene, coupled with phenylphenothiazine donors. This study presents a temperature-mediated crystallization strategy for precisely controlling the morphology and carrier transport properties of TQDPT single crystals. By systematically investigating the growth kinetics across a controlled temperature range (15–35°C), we reveal a distinct transition from needle-like structures to plate-like crystals, with tunable average widths spanning from around 2.8 to 30.1 μm. This morphological evolution is driven by temperature-dependent molecular diffusion and nucleation kinetics. Significantly, the plate-like crystals grown at 25°C exhibit an order-of-magnitude enhancement in mobility compared to needle-like counterparts, while higher temperatures of 35°C yield broader crystals with improved carrier mobility and device stability. This work highlights the critical role of temperature as a pivotal parameter in the dimensional and electronic optimization of organic crystals, offering an attractive approach to optimize functional materials for advanced optoelectronics.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508092
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants with high environmental stability and bioaccumulation potential, posing risks to soil ecosystems and human health. To systematically map research hotspots and evolutionary trends, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on 1,459 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection and CNKI (1985–2025) using VOSviewer and Python. Keyword clustering identified four primary research themes: (1) transport and transformation of PFAS in soil, (2) bioaccumulation and toxic effects, (3) environmental fate and risk assessment of novel PFAS, and (4) remediation strategies for legacy PFAS. Temporal trend analysis using a trend factor (T) revealed a shift from early toxicological studies to policy-driven growth post-2006, with recent emphasis on remediation technologies, migration mechanisms, and bioconcentration. Future research priorities include understanding the fate of novel substitutes in complex media, developing green and sustainable remediation technologies, and establishing robust validation frameworks. The study provides a comprehensive knowledge map to guide scientific prevention and efficient governance of PFAS contamination.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3464-4
Photocatalytic conversion of atmospheric CO2 (0.03%) into multi-carbon fuels remains a grand challenge due to the high energy barrier of C–C coupling and the low concentration of CO2. Here, we report the construction of multiple metal pair sites on metal oxide nanosheets to steer C–C coupling, enabling efficient photoreduction of air-concentration CO2 to ethane (C2H6). As a prototype, Au nanoparticles were anchored on Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets (Au-Bi4Ti3O12). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of Au-Ti metal pair sites at the interface. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of *OCCOH intermediate on Au-Bi4Ti3O12 during CO2 photoreduction, which was absent on pristine Bi4Ti3O12. Density functional theory calculations showed that the Gibbs free energy for *CO–COH formation on Au-Bi4Ti3O12 is 2.23 eV, significantly lower than that on Bi4Ti3O12 (3.59 eV), indicating facilitated C–C coupling. Consequently, Au-Bi4Ti3O12 exhibited a C2H6 evolution rate of 2.58 μmol g−1 h−1 under 0.03% CO2, whereas Bi4Ti3O12 produced only C1 products (CO and CH4). This work demonstrates the first single-catalyst photoreduction of atmospheric CO2 to C2H6, highlighting the effectiveness of engineered multiple active sites in overcoming the C–C coupling bottleneck.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3634-0
Messenger RNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccines have demonstrated extraordinary efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, establishing LNPs as the premier platform for mRNA therapeutics. However, the pervasive presence of anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) antibodies undermines PEGylated LNP performance by diminishing therapeutic efficacy. To address this challenge, we synthesized a panel of lipid-poly(2-oxazoline) (lipid-POx) conjugates as alternatives to lipid-PEG and systematically evaluated how their polymer backbone, degree of polymerization, and lipid tail structure influence LNP physicochemical properties and mRNA delivery performance. Among POx-LNPs formulated with heptadecan-9-yl 8-((2-hydroxyethyl)(6-oxo-6-(undecyloxy)hexyl)amino)octanoate (SM-102) as the base lipid, those constructed with single-tailed C18-POx exhibited smaller particle sizes and superior freeze-thaw stability. These C18-POx-LNPs maintained comparable in vivo transfection efficiency to PEG-LNPs even when fully replacing 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3 (DMG)-PEG. Notably, in mice bearing pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies, C18-POx-LNPs demonstrated over 200-fold higher transfection efficiency than PEG-LNPs. Additionally, repeated administration of POx-LNPs induced dose-dependent anti-POx immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses, with antibody titers inversely correlated with POx hydrophilicity. This study underscores the effectiveness of substituting PEG with POx in LNP construction to address the transfection efficiency in populations with pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies, and would inspire the development of more hydrophilic polymers for LNP formulation.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61113-4
Porous pyrolytic carbon (PPyC) serves as the buffer layer in TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel particles, providing storage for fission gases, preventing damage to outer layers, and absorbing stresses caused by fuel-kernel swelling. However, the changes of PPyC micro- and meso-structure at high temperatures remain insufficiently understood. In this study, PPyC fabricated by chemical vapor deposition was heat-treated from 1200 to 1600 °C and characterized across atomic-to-mesoscopic scales. Results show that the structure changes with temperature with a transition at approximately 1400 °C. Below 1400 °C, a decrease in Raman ID/IG ratio, narrowing of the graphite diffraction peak, and increased sp2 hybridization indicate progressive ordering associated with defect redistribution. Concurrent decreases in true density and mesopore volume, together with increased closed porosity, are consistent with partial conversion of open pores into closed pores. Above 1400 °C, increased ID/IG ratio, broadening of the diffraction peak near the rhombohedral graphite (101) reflection, and transition regions between crystalline and amorphous material observed by TEM indicate increasing structural disorder. Meanwhile, initially distinct PPyC particle boundaries blur and merge into broad, plate-like domains. Subsequent decrease in closed porosity and increase in mesopore surface area are consistent with partial connection of closed pores to the open-pore network. This work shows that intrinsic coupling between atomic-scale structural change and mesoscale pore connectivity provides a basis for assessing high-temperature structural stability of PPyC in TRISO fuel particles.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61108-0
Adipic acid is a key monomer for nylon-6,6 and nylon-6, yet its industrial production via nitric acid oxidation of KA oil suffers from high energy consumption and N2O emissions. This study reports a green catalytic system for one-pot oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid using a Cu/Cu2O@C composite catalyst derived from wood chips. During pyrolysis, wood chips serve as both carbon support precursor and in-situ reducing agent, converting Cu2+ into Cu/Cu2O active species. The abundant defects in biomass carbon form strong coordination interactions with copper, regulating the electronic distribution of active sites and enhancing catalytic performance. Under optimized conditions (100 °C, 12 h), the Cu/[email protected] catalyst achieves a cyclohexane conversion of 19.36% and an adipic acid selectivity of 73.28%. Mechanistic studies reveal that the electronic interaction between the carbon support and copper species strengthens adsorption of cyclohexanone, promoting selective formation of adipic acid. The reaction follows a free radical chain mechanism involving hydroxyl and alkyl radicals. This work provides a viable strategy for developing eco-friendly, low-cost, and high-efficiency catalytic materials for industrial adipic acid synthesis.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508013
The Sanshenggong section of the Yellow River is a critical hydrological monitoring and control point, whose water quality directly affects the ecological safety and sustainable water resource utilization of the middle and lower reaches. This study analyzed water quality monitoring data from 2011 to 2024 using the Mann-Kendall test to identify abrupt change years, combined with single-factor evaluation and a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method improved by CRITIC-entropy weight combination to systematically assess water quality evolution. The Mann-Kendall test identified 2013 and 2019 as abrupt change points, with non-significant improvement from 2013 to 2015 and significant improvement after 2016. Single-factor evaluation indicated that total phosphorus (TP) was the primary exceeding factor in 2011–2012, and its declining concentration drove the water quality upgrade from Class III to Class II in 2013. The CRITIC-entropy weight combination assigned the highest weight (28.96%) to permanganate index, whose decline was the core driver of water quality improvement. The improved fuzzy evaluation showed that the membership degree of Class III water dropped to zero in 2013, indicating stable improvement, but periodic rebounds in Class II membership suggested potential degradation risks. This study provides scientific evidence for ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60630-X
Chemical looping methane steam reforming (CL-MSR) enables sequential production of high-selectivity syngas and high-purity hydrogen via redox cycling, yet single iron-based oxygen carriers suffer from poor cycling stability, low reactivity, and sintering. This study modified Fe2O3/Al2O3 oxygen carriers with Cu, La, and Ce additives via dip-coating, and systematically characterized their physicochemical properties, reactivity, and hydrogen production performance. Results showed that spinel-phase CuFe2O4 exhibited higher reactivity than perovskite LaFeO3 and CeO2, promoting deeper reduction of Fe2O3. Fe58Cu2Al achieved an oxygen storage capacity of 6.5 mmol/g. During CH4 reaction, Fe58Cu2Al exhibited the highest oxygen loss of 12.1 g/100 g oxygen carrier, with syngas yield of 5.15 mmol/g—1.33 and 1.59 times that of Fe60Al. In hydrogen production, the 2% Cu-modified carrier yielded 5.13 mmol/g H2, 1.51 times that of pristine Fe60Al, with purity exceeding 98%. After ten cycles, H2 yield remained at 3.61 mmol/g, surpassing the single-cycle output of pristine Fe60Al (3.39 mmol/g), demonstrating superior dispersion and coking resistance. The study establishes Cu modification as an effective strategy to enhance reactivity and cyclic stability of iron-based oxygen carriers for CL-MSR hydrogen production.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60640-8
Ethylene (C2H4) in vehicle exhaust is a highly reactive volatile organic compound (VOC) whose photo-oxidation with NOx contributes to the formation of O3 and secondary organic aerosols (SOA), a key precursor of PM2.5. This study designs a novel MgO-supported Ag-Cu bimetallic catalyst and investigates its performance using density functional theory (DFT). The effects of Ag and Cu loading on geometric structure, stability, and reactant adsorption are analyzed, and the catalytic oxidation pathways of C2H4 over AgCu-MgO are elucidated. Results indicate that loading Ag significantly enhances C2H4 adsorption, with a maximum adsorption energy of -1.46 eV, while O2 adsorption remains weak (-0.45 eV). Cu-MgO shows moderate C2H4 adsorption (-0.87 eV at bridge site) but higher O2 adsorption (-0.76 eV). Among 17 AgCu-MgO dual-atom catalyst (DAC) configurations, those with Ag and Cu co-adsorbed at Mg sites are thermodynamically more stable (binding energies below -10 eV). Configurations with Ag and Cu in close proximity enhance co-adsorption of C2H4 and O2. C2H4 oxidation preferentially proceeds via C=C bond cleavage to form *CH3 and CO2. For three representative configurations (1, 3, 6), free energy barriers for rate-limiting steps in the *HCO and CH2O pathway are consistently higher than those for *CH3 and CO2 pathway. Configuration 6 exhibits the lowest energy barrier (0.32 eV) for its rate-limiting step, indicating the highest catalytic performance. This study provides atomic-scale insights for rational design of efficient catalysts targeting olefinic pollutants in automotive emissions.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025102501
Non-antibiotic emerging contaminants (ECs) pose a growing threat to aquatic organisms, particularly fish, yet their impact on gut microbiota remains inadequately characterized. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on the effects and mechanisms of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nanomaterials, and microplastics on fish gut microbiota. Exposure to these ECs directly alters microbial composition and diversity, while indirectly disrupting host metabolism and immune function, leading to significant health impairments. Notably, EC exposure induces dysregulation of key factors such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), compromising intestinal barrier integrity. Concurrently, gut microbiota can metabolically transform certain ECs into derivatives, establishing a complex pollutant-microbiota-host interaction network. The gut microbiota mediates EC-induced neurotoxicity, immune dysfunction, and metabolic disorders through signaling pathways such as TLR/NF-κB and metabolic homeostasis regulation. Current research predominantly addresses short-term exposure effects, leaving long-term low-dose impacts and transgenerational mechanisms poorly understood. Future investigations should employ multi-generational exposure and microbiota transplantation to elucidate gut microbiota-mediated toxicity mechanisms under non-antibiotic EC stress. This review underscores the urgent need for comprehensive risk assessment and regulatory frameworks targeting non-antibiotic ECs in aquatic environments.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025012302
Phosphorus (P) loss from paddy fields contributes to eutrophication in Chaohu Lake. This study evaluated the effects of novel fertilizers and P reduction on P loss and rice yield. Seven treatments were established: no P (CK), rice-specific fertilizer (ZYF), slow-release blended fertilizer (SRF), Xinjutian compound fertilizer (XJT), enhanced loss-controlled fertilizer (CRF), CRF with 10% P reduction (CRF-10P%), and CRF with 30% P reduction (CRF-30P%). Results showed that novel fertilizers and P reduction significantly reduced concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), dissolved phosphorus (DP), and particulate phosphorus (PP) in surface water and leachate. The first 5 days after basal fertilization and heavy rainfall were high-risk periods for P loss. Rainfall increased TP concentrations by 417.74%–432.86% and 94.85%–351.35% in surface water and leachate, respectively; DP increased by 120.80%–322.44%, and PP by 280.66%–501.77% and 80.23%–297.55%. Compared with ZYF, SRF, XJT, and CRF reduced TP loss by 15.43%–33.95%, with SRF showing the lowest loss. Under P reduction, CRF-10P% and CRF-30P% reduced TP loss by 31.48% and 37.04%, respectively, with CRF-30P% achieving the lowest loss. Notably, CRF-10P% increased rice yield by 22.37% relative to ZYF, indicating that moderate P reduction with enhanced loss-controlled fertilizer can maintain or increase yield while reducing environmental risk. The study concludes that CRF-10P% offers a promising strategy for sustainable rice production in the Chaohu Lake watershed.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605004
To address the decline in operational performance of sewage pipeline networks in rainy cities of southern China caused by structural defects, stormwater-sewage cross-connections, and external water intrusion, a systematic governance framework comprising precise investigation, dynamic regulation, graded rehabilitation, and smart operation and maintenance was established. A zoned priority evaluation model was developed with comprehensive problem severity (P) and governance contribution (B) as core indicators, based on which differentiated governance strategies were formulated. Supported by a digital platform, monitoring, assessment, rectification, and verification data were integrated to develop a digital twin system for the pipeline network, and a correlation-based analysis and closed-loop operation and maintenance mechanism linking rainfall, groundwater level, and network hydraulic load was established. A typical urban area in Jiangxi Province was selected as the case study. After implementation, the mean COD concentration of terminal sewage in the study area increased steadily to above 230 mg/L, the average daily external water volume in the dry season decreased by 27.64%, and the sewage collection rate increased to 76%. The results indicate that the proposed framework can effectively support the quality and efficiency improvement of sewage pipeline networks in rainy cities of southern China, and provide a technical reference for similar cities.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605021
The digestate from anaerobic digestion of food waste is separated into solid residue and liquid filtrate. The filtrate retains high nutrient and carbon content, making it a viable resource for recovery. This study prepared biochar from food waste digestate residue and employed it as an electrode active material in a flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) system, with activated carbon as a control, to assess nitrogen and phosphorus removal from kitchen waste biogas slurry. ZnCl₂ modification significantly enhanced the biochar's specific surface area, adsorption capacity, capacitance, and conductivity. The optimal mass fraction of modified biochar in the electrode liquid was 7.5%. In simulated digestate, the FCDI system achieved removal efficiencies of 47.7% for NH₄⁺-N and 55.2% for reactive phosphorus (RP) over 12 hours. Performance ranking of electrode materials was activated carbon > ZnCl₂-modified biochar > unmodified biochar. In continuous operation with actual anaerobic digestion filtrate, maximum removal efficiencies were 32.2% for NH₄⁺-N and 26.2% for RP. The reduced performance in real digestate is attributed to organic foulants such as peptides and amino acids, which block ion-exchange membrane channels, increase membrane resistance, and impede ion transfer and charge transport, thereby diminishing deionization efficiency.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605023
Identifying the characteristics of carbon emissions and driving forces of the railway sector is essential for formulating effective measures to develop a green and low-carbon railway industry. This study systematically evaluated the direct and indirect carbon emissions from 2016 to 2021 generated by the railway sector of China, and analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamic changes of the carbon emissions. On this basis, by adopting the LMDI model, the key factors affecting the carbon emissions of railway sector were discerned. Moreover, the variations in the dominant factors of the carbon emissions over time, and the spatial heterogeneities in the dominant factors of the carbon emissions of the 18 railway bureaus, were analyzed. The results show that: 1) During the periods from 2016 to 2021, the carbon emissions of China's railway sector showed an overall upward trend, increasing from 57.7486 million tons to 64.2084 million tons, by 11.2%. The Shanghai Bureau, Beijing Bureau, Zhengzhou Bureau, Chengdu Bureau and Guangzhou Bureau substantially contributed to the increases of railway carbon emissions. In spatial, the carbon emissions of the 18 railway bureaus were characterized by lower emissions in the west and higher emissions in the east, mainly due to the regional differences in the socio-economic development, industrial structure and population density; 2) During 2016 to 2021, the decline in energy consumption intensity reduced the carbon emissions of the railway sector by 18.8654 million tons, while the changes in carbon emission intensity, economic benefits of per unit passenger and freight turnover, and operating capacity led to an increase of a sum of 25.3252 million tons of carbon emissions. When decomposing the contributions of each factor by sub-periods, it can be found that the impacts of these factors on the carbon emissions changed over time. Only the factor of carbon emission intensity showed a promoting effect in all sub-periods, the other three factors, as energy consumption intensity, economic benefits of per unit passenger and freight turnover, and operating capacity, had a conversion between promoting and inhibiting effects. 3) The dominant factors of carbon emissions across the 18 railway bureaus exhibited spatial heterogeneity. For instance, operating capacity was the main promoting factor for bureaus like Taiyuan, Beijing, Lanzhou, Nanning, Hohhot, Urumqi, and Qinghai-Tibet, while energy consumption intensity was the main inhibiting factor. For Shanghai, Kunming, Wuhan, Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Jinan, Shenyang, Nanchang, and Guangzhou, economic benefits per unit turnover was the main promoting factor, with energy consumption intensity as the main inhibiting factor. For Harbin, energy consumption intensity was the main promoting factor, while economic benefits per unit turnover was the main inhibiting factor. 4) The railway sector can reduce carbon emissions by optimizing transport organization to reduce empty car rates, optimizing energy structure, and retrofitting infrastructure for energy efficiency, while implementing differentiated emission reduction strategies tailored to each bureau's characteristics.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605024
The refined quantification of carbon footprint in engineering construction projects is critical for formulating targeted carbon reduction strategies during the materialization phase. This study integrates material flow analysis (MFA) with the emission factor method to establish a panoramic carbon flow model for engineering projects. Construction activities are categorized into processing and construction, and office and daily operations, clarifying material and carbon flow relationships within the system boundary and with external systems. Empirical analysis was conducted on the Hejiawan Bridge of Section 11 of the Xiyu High-Speed Railway. Results show that the total carbon flow amounts to 27,482,432.11 kg CO2eq, with direct carbon flow (fuel oil, gasoline) accounting for 7.6% and indirect carbon flow (products, transportation, electricity) accounting for 92.4%. From the material flow perspective, the total carbon flow comprises product carbon flow (72.88%), resource and energy carbon flow (25.73%), transportation carbon flow (1.04%), waste carbon flow (0.35%), and service carbon flow (0.01%). In terms of activity scope, construction-related carbon flow accounts for 99.17%, while office and daily operations account for 0.46%. Two indicators, material consumption carbon flow rate and energy consumption carbon flow rate, are proposed for the first time. Comparative analysis of five girder bridges reveals that the Hejiawan Bridge has a material consumption carbon flow rate of 3.91 kg CO2eq/kg, ranking highest among similar bridges, while its energy consumption carbon flow rate is 13.40 kg CO2eq/kg ec, at a medium level. The assessment indicates relatively high material consumption, suggesting potential for carbon reduction through structural and geological optimization.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3650-6
Aggregation-induced emission active chiral polymer dots (AIE@CPdots) are emerging as high-performance emission layers (EMLs) for circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) due to their persistent emission stability, high photoluminescence quantum yields, excellent solution processability, facile functionalization, tunable bandgap-governed emission, and superior device processability. However, reports on such systems remain scarce. In this study, a pair of chiral conjugated polymer enantiomers (R/S-PFC) was synthesized via Suzuki polymerization using three monomers: a chiral binaphthalene moiety, a fluorenyl linker, and an AIE-active cyanostyrene dye. After annealing at 110 °C, the resulting R/S-PFC self-assembled into chiral nanoparticles (AIE@CPdots) in a chloroform/n-hexane mixed solvent (9:1 v/v), exhibiting enhanced circularly polarized luminescence with a luminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_lum|) of 4.4 × 10⁻³ at 462 nm. Notably, AIE@CPdots served as the EML in CP-OLEDs, achieving high-performance circularly polarized electroluminescence with an electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_EL|) of 3.0 × 10⁻³ at 464 nm, a maximum luminance (L_max) of 6022 cd m⁻², and a maximum current efficiency (CE_max) of 1.10 cd A⁻¹. This work provides a novel strategy for designing superior EML materials for CP-OLEDs via chiral self-assembled AIE@CPdots.
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/s40843-025-3768-8
Damping materials are critical for mitigating vibrations and noise across various frequencies by converting mechanical energy into thermal energy. However, achieving a simultaneous high damping capacity and high toughness remains a formidable challenge. Here, we report a supramolecular polymer (SMP) that integrates high damping and toughness through the synergistic action of dynamic hydrogen bonds and side-chain relaxation. The polymer exhibits exceptional mechanical properties: a Young's modulus of 47.08 MPa, elongation at break of 605%, and toughness of 15.24 MJ m−3. The dynamic hydrogen bonds confer dual responsiveness to strain rate and temperature, with a 6.7-fold variation in Young's modulus under different stretching rates and a five-order-of-magnitude change in storage modulus across a temperature range. Under mechanical force, the interpenetrating side chains undergo mutual friction, enabling repetitive energy dissipation. This mechanism yields superior damping ability with a loss factor (tanδ) of 1.6 at 1 Hz, demonstrating outstanding performance in vibration absorption and noise reduction. The material's design offers a promising strategy for developing high-performance damping materials that balance energy dissipation and mechanical robustness, suitable for applications in wearable electronics, protective equipment, and structural vibration control.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60641-X
Polycarbonate (PC) is a widely utilized engineering plastic, but its accumulation in waste streams poses environmental and health risks due to the leaching of toxic bisphenol A (BPA). This study presents a catalyst-free methanolysis route for the chemical recycling of waste PC into BPA under mild conditions. At 160 °C, complete depolymerization of PC (100.0% conversion) was achieved with a high BPA yield of 95.0% without any catalyst or auxiliary solvent. A scaled-up experiment with 10 g PC demonstrated a facile separation process, recovering BPA with over 85.0% yield. The method proved effective for various commercial PC grades and mixed plastics, including ABS-PC blends, as well as other polyesters such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and polyethylene terephthalate. Based on SEM and GPC analyses, a probable alcoholysis depolymerization mechanism was proposed, involving initial swelling and gradual breakdown of PC into soluble macromolecules with broad molecular weight distribution, ultimately yielding BPA. This work offers a facile, green, and efficient approach for the alcoholysis recovery of polyester plastics, addressing both environmental concerns and sustainable resource utilization.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509001
To address low nitrogen removal efficiency in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent due to insufficient carbon sources and weak reoxygenation in conventional constructed wetlands (CWs), a tidal flow-subsurface flow integrated CW using iron-loaded biochar (BC-TF) as substrate was developed, with zeolite-based CW as control. Simulated wastewater experiments, water quality monitoring, nitrification/denitrification intensity assays, and high-throughput sequencing were employed. Results showed that tidal flow operation significantly enhanced removal of total nitrogen (TN) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), and increased nitrification intensity. Addition of iron-loaded biochar significantly improved TN and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) removal, with BC-TF achieving an average TN removal of 86.03%, significantly higher than other groups (P<0.001). Microbial analysis revealed Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes as key phyla; iron-loaded biochar increased microbial abundance and diversity in tidal flow wetlands, while tidal flow alone reduced bacterial diversity. Pilot-scale experiments confirmed that tidal flow increased dissolved oxygen and nitrogen removal. This study is the first to combine iron-loaded biochar with tidal flow-subsurface flow CWs, systematically revealing the synergistic nitrogen removal mechanism of 'iron-loaded biochar-tidal flow-microorganisms', clarifying the role of iron-nitrogen coupling, and validating engineering applicability via pilot tests. The combination enhances reoxygenation, supplements carbon sources, and optimizes microbial community structure, effectively improving deep nitrogen purification of WWTP effluent, providing technical reference for tailwater treatment.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606006
Chitosan-based microsphere composites have attracted considerable attention for phosphorus adsorption due to their facile preparation, low cost, environmental friendliness, and high uptake capacity. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties and preparation methods of chitosan microspheres for phosphate removal, outlines common modification strategies to enhance adsorption capacity, and discusses their applications in aqueous environments. Adsorption mechanisms, regeneration, and resource recovery of spent microspheres are analyzed. Challenges and recommendations are proposed, including streamlined preparation, enhanced phosphorus recovery, removal of multiple phosphorus forms, and practical implementation. The review aims to guide the development of high-performance chitosan-based microspheres for phosphorus removal.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606020
Municipal wastewater treatment plants in China face excessive influent grit loads and carbon source deficiencies, while conventional pretreatment (screening, grit chambers, primary sedimentation) exhibits low fine grit removal and poor carbon retention. A novel swinging ultra-fine screen with a screening precision of 0.1 mm was developed and tested at a pilot scale of 1000 m³/d. Systematic evaluation of screens with apertures from 0.05 to 0.4 mm was conducted, with mechanisms analyzed via particle size distribution, COD fractionation, and fouling layer characterization. The 0.1 mm screen achieved an SS removal efficiency of 89.3%, significantly higher than 57.4% for conventional processes, while COD removal was only 9.5% versus 28.6%, corresponding to a carbon source retention of 93%. The device nearly completely retained particles >0.1 mm and achieved >98% removal for particles in the 0.075–0.1 mm range. Performance remained stable under fluctuating COD and SS conditions. A three-stage fouling theory for micro-screens was proposed. This work represents the first application of 0.1 mm screening precision in pretreatment, markedly improving fine grit retention and carbon source preservation, with strong resilience to water quality variations.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3820-5
Two novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based ligands featuring rigid boron-oxygen (BO) fused-ring units, named Bpmi and Bpmb, and the two corresponding homoleptic meridianal iridium complexes, namely mer-Ir(Bpmi)3 and mer-Ir(Bpmb)3, were designed and synthesized. Single-crystal structures revealed a meridional coordination geometry for both complexes. Shorter Ir–C carbene bond lengths and rigid planar BO-fused ring units contribute to enhanced stability. Both complexes exhibit efficient green phosphorescence (λem = 536/521 nm in toluene, ΦPL > 78%) with short lifetimes (τ = 846/1083 ns), leading to high radiative rate constants (Kr = 10.04 × 10^5 and 7.29 × 10^5 s−1, respectively). Theoretical calculations indicate significantly increased metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) character (21.69% for mer-Ir(Bpmi)3; 17.30% for mer-Ir(Bpmb)3) compared to reference complexes (13.01% for mer-Ir(pmi)3; 15.99% for mer-Ir(pmb)3). Both complexes exhibit exceptional thermal stability with decomposition temperatures of 491°C (mer-Ir(Bpmi)3) and 540°C (mer-Ir(Bpmb)3). OLED devices using mer-Ir(Bpmb)3 and mer-Ir(Bpmi)3 as emitters demonstrate maximum external quantum efficiencies of 20.0% and 15.6%, respectively. This research pioneers boron-fused ring-containing NHCs and their phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes, establishing a novel design strategy for high-performance NHC-based OLED phosphorescent emitters.
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/s40843-025-3840-3
Tactile sensing for dexterous robotic hands is essential for achieving human-like precision in manipulation. However, current tactile sensors face challenges such as insufficient durability, limited coverage, and poor conformability to curved, jointed surfaces. This study presents a stretchable distributed tactile sensor array designed for dexterous robotic hands. The array comprises 18 sensing units distributed across the hand, incorporating quasi-homogeneous functional layers interconnected by crosslinked interpenetrating networks, and composite electrodes combining high conductivity with stretchability. This design yields a thin, soft, transparent, and stretchable sensor array that integrates seamlessly with a commercial dexterous hand. The sensor array exhibits high interlayer tensile strength, high sensitivity, low hysteresis, and excellent long-term reliability over 10,000 loading cycles. Experimental results demonstrate accurate detection of tactile force across the entire robotic hand during object grasping. Using convolutional neural network algorithms, the sensor array identifies different object types with 90.1% accuracy, with results displayed in real time on a digital twin interface. The proposed sensor array holds significant potential for embodied intelligence and robotics in adaptive grasping, safe manipulation, and remote teleoperation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3869-7
Iontronic capacitive pressure sensors (ICPSs) are pivotal for wearable technology, yet their performance is constrained by an inherent trade-off between sensitivity and detection range. Here, we introduce a micro-electric double layer (micro-EDL) engineering strategy to overcome this limitation. This is realized through a nanocomposite dielectric where multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) form a percolated network, generating a dense array of pressure-responsive nano-capacitors. Synergistically integrating a hierarchical MoS2/NiCo-LDH electrode provides abundant pseudocapacitive interfaces. The resulting sensor exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity of 67,095 kPa−1 at 1 kHz, a broad detection range up to 1.3 MPa, rapid response and recovery times of 4 ms and 5 ms, respectively, and outstanding durability exceeding 18,000 cycles. Practical validation demonstrates 100% classification accuracy in recognizing complex gestures and gait patterns, underscoring its real-world applicability. These findings establish micro-EDL engineering as a promising route for advancing next-generation iontronic devices, offering insights into their electrochemical mechanisms.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202505104
This study investigated the synergistic remediation of aged oil-contaminated soil collected from an oil well in Yanchang, northern Shaanxi, China, with an initial total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration of 17.1 g·kg⁻¹, exceeding the second-class land use screening value (4,500 mg·kg⁻¹) by approximately 3.8-fold. Indigenous high-efficiency degrading strains were screened and a microbial consortium was constructed. Pot experiments were conducted to compare the TPH degradation efficiencies and soil property changes under plant, microbial, and combined plant-microbial remediation. The consortium MC-5 (SDB1:SDB2:SDB3:SDB4 = 1:1:0:3) exhibited the highest TPH degradation rate of 83.46% in liquid culture. In soil, combined remediation with ryegrass (Lolium perenne) achieved a TPH degradation rate of 60.93%, significantly higher than the control (CK) by 54.26 percentage points. The consortium also degraded recalcitrant resins and asphaltenes by 49.44%. The microbial consortium played a dominant role, contributing 63%–69% to TPH removal, whereas plant contribution was only 2%–12%, primarily in the later stage. Addition of rhamnolipid biosurfactant enhanced the combined remediation, increasing TPH degradation by 7.05 percentage points compared to non-amended treatments. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of plant-microbial synergy and offer theoretical and practical guidance for bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soils.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511076
This study investigated the altitudinal distribution and enrichment characteristics of heavy metals in the soil-plant system of the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa on the Tibetan Plateau. Soil and dominant plant samples were collected from three sites along an elevation gradient from 3,650 to 4,150 m, and concentrations of Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, As, and Pb were analyzed. Soil heavy metal concentrations ranged from 0.06 to 184.4 mg·kg−1, with all elements except Cd and Pb exceeding local background values. Plant heavy metal concentrations were within normal ranges, indicating no obvious stress. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between soil Zn and Cd, Cr and Ni, and plant Zn and Cu. Except for Cr, Cu, and Cd, plant and soil concentrations of the same element were significantly correlated. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) analysis showed that most plants had weak enrichment capacity (BCF < 1), but five species, including Ephedra sinica and Rheum likiangense, exhibited BCF > 1 for Cd, with R. likiangense showing the highest BCF of 4.01. The enrichment capacity varied with altitude and species. Potential ecological risk assessment indicated that Cd posed a relatively high risk in plants, warranting attention. This study fills a gap in understanding the spatial distribution and enrichment of heavy metals in this region, providing a scientific basis for ecological management and environmental protection.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511020
With the increasing number of oil pipelines crossing rivers, the potential risks of oil leakage and surface spreading to river ecosystems and water environments are becoming more severe. Scenario-based simulation of oil spill diffusion is a prerequisite for effective interception point placement and leakage risk prevention. Numerous factors influence oil spill diffusion, including environmental conditions, river hydrology, and accessibility of emergency resources. This study integrates these factors and multiple dynamic processes to design eight typical scenarios for oil spill diffusion simulation, considering emergency resource locations, river hydrological regimes, and leakage modes. A case study is conducted on an oil pipeline crossing a river in northwest China. Results indicate that the diffusion distance and affected area are primarily controlled by water conditions and emergency resource accessibility. In emergency management, the efficiency of maintenance and repair resources during high-water months should be prioritized. Mechanistically, external forces such as hydraulic and wind forces have a greater influence on diffusion distance, surpassing internal forces like gravity, viscosity, and surface tension within a short time. For river crossings near emergency resources, internal force effects should be considered in oil spill diffusion simulations. When emergency resource arrival times are long, the diffusion distance based on Fay's theory is relatively small and can be neglected in engineering practice. This study provides a computational basis and methodological reference for risk assessment and emergency response to potential oil spills from pipelines crossing rivers, enhancing the scientific and effective nature of risk prevention and emergency handling.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60659-7
Coal gasification fine slag (CGFS), a solid waste from entrained-flow coal gasification, is characterized by fine particles and high silicon and aluminum content. This study proposes a simple and economical hydrothermal synthesis of ZSM-5 molecular sieve using CGFS as raw material. Impurities were removed by acid washing, followed by alkaline extraction of silicon and aluminum species. The extracted Si-Al precursors were crystallized hydrothermally at 170 °C for 48 h, yielding ZSM-5 with a high specific surface area of 358 m2/g. Adsorption experiments showed that the synthesized ZSM-5 exhibited excellent Pb2+ removal performance: at 25 °C, the removal efficiency for a 50 mg/L Pb2+ solution reached 83.7%, with an adsorption capacity of 104.625 mg/g under optimized conditions. The adsorption process is mainly governed by chemisorption mechanisms, including surface complexation, precipitation, and ion exchange. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that Pb2+ adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic, consistent with multilayer chemisorption. The synthesized ZSM-5 shows promising potential for application in the treatment of lead-containing wastewater, offering a high-value utilization route for coal-based solid waste.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60642-1
Inherent minerals significantly influence the thermal conversion of coal, yet the interaction mechanisms among minerals affecting tar generation during pyrolysis remain unclear. This study investigates the effect of acidic mineral components on the behavior of ion-exchangeable Ca2+ during coal pyrolysis. Coal samples were prepared via HCl and HCl-HF acid washing followed by Ca2+ ion exchange. Pyrolysis was conducted in a fixed-bed reactor. Acid washing effectively reduced ash content but also decreased organic element contents (carbon, hydrogen). Loading ion-exchangeable calcium enhanced the thermal weight loss rate in the 500–550 °C range, shifting the peak temperature from 530 °C to 514 °C. At a final pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C with slow heating, kaolinite in acidic minerals underwent dehydroxylation to form metakaolin. The content of small aromatic rings (<6 rings) in char from Ca-loaded coal was lower than that from acid-washed coal without Ca. Coexistence of acidic minerals with ion-exchangeable Ca increased aliphatic hydrocarbon content in tar: YL-HCl-Ca reached 21.98% versus 13.60% for YL-De-Ca. Acidic mineral components inhibit the adverse effect of ion-exchangeable Ca2+ on tar lightening. These findings provide insights into mineral interactions during pyrolysis, aiding in optimizing coal conversion processes for improved tar quality.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026021301
Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) nanoparticles (NPs), generated during the lifecycle of LCO batteries via mechanical wear, pose respiratory health risks. This study systematically assessed LCO NPs' physicochemical properties, ion release, and immunotoxicity using multi-scale models. LCO NPs exhibited irregular morphology, layered crystal structure, good dispersion, and negative surface charge. Cobalt ion release was minimal: 1.03% in deionized water and 0.11% in cell culture medium. In vitro, LCO NPs significantly induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) in macrophages, promoting M1 polarization. In vivo, intranasal exposure caused dose-dependent pulmonary accumulation, alveolar destruction, inflammatory cell infiltration, and elevated cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant enrichment of NF-κB, JAK-STAT, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, implicating these in macrophage activation and inflammation amplification. This multi-level study elucidates LCO NPs' immunotoxicity mechanisms, providing a scientific basis for environmental health risk assessment and management of lithium-ion battery materials.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026030202
High nitrogen (N) inputs, low N use efficiency, and substantial greenhouse gas emissions constrain sustainable double-cropping rice production in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. To evaluate whether humic acid urea (HAU) can reconcile yield stability with N reduction and carbon mitigation, a field experiment was conducted in a double-cropping rice system. Five treatments were established: conventional urea at the recommended N rate (U), HAU at the recommended N rate (HAU), conventional urea with a 20% reduction in N input (U-20), HAU with a 20% reduction in N input (HAU-20), and a no-N control (CK). Rice yield, N uptake and utilization, and the full life-cycle carbon footprint were quantified. Results showed that HAU significantly increased double-cropping rice yield by 6.46% (early rice) and 8.76% (late rice) compared to U (P < 0.05). HAU-20 maintained yield equivalent to U, while U-20 significantly reduced yield. HAU-20 significantly improved nitrogen fertilizer apparent utilization rate, agronomic efficiency, and partial factor productivity. Specifically, apparent utilization rate increased by 9.24 percentage points (early rice) and 7.80 percentage points (late rice); agronomic efficiency increased by 18.51% and 26.69%, and partial factor productivity by 22.79% and 25.58% for early and late rice, respectively (P < 0.05). Life-cycle carbon footprint was significantly reduced by 26.25% (early rice) and 40.38% (late rice) under HAU-20 compared to U, with per-unit product carbon footprint reduced by 0.22 t CO2-eq·t−1 and 0.86 t CO2-eq·t−1, respectively. The reduction was primarily attributed to decreased CH4 and N2O emissions: early rice CH4 and N2O cumulative emissions decreased by 28.92% and 44.34%, and late rice by 44.46% and 63.85% (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HAU with 20% N reduction sustains yield, enhances N use efficiency, and significantly lowers carbon footprint, offering a viable path for green and low-carbon double-cropping rice production.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607004
Pelletizing technology is widely applied in biomass and coal fuel processing, offering advantages in transport, storage, and energy density. Coal gasification fine slag (CGFS), a carbon-rich coal-based solid waste, holds potential as a fuel. This study prepared centimeter-scale composite pellets by blending CGFS with various biomass types under 6 MPa at room temperature for 2 minutes. Combustion and emission characteristics were investigated using a self-developed flat-flame macro-thermogravimetric reactor simulating high heating rate conditions. Results showed that biomass type significantly influenced combustion due to chemical composition differences. Introducing biomass altered fuel particle composition, enhancing combustion rates of single-component fuels by 3–5 times during volatile combustion. Co-combustion reduced NOx and CO emissions by over 50% compared to pure CGFS. Higher biomass ratios accelerated volatile release and shortened burnout time but increased NO emissions due to higher volatile nitrogen content. Conversely, CO emissions decreased due to improved char combustion conditions. These findings provide critical experimental support for optimizing clean and efficient solid fuel production from CGFS and biomass.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3904-6
Disrupting calcium ions (Ca2+) homeostasis to induce calcium overloading has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. However, calcium overloading based on exogenous calcium salts (such as calcium carbonate and calcium peroxide) can easily lead to off-target Ca2+ release, causing severe side effects such as hypercalcemia and cardiac or renal dysfunction. This review explores the calcium-free nanomaterials for mediating targeted calcium dysregulation in tumors. These nanomaterials function not by carrying Ca2+ but by precisely regulating endogenous calcium signaling pathways. They promote massive Ca2+ influx through targeted activation of calcium channels and/or inhibit Ca2+ efflux by suppressing pumps, effectively triggering intracellular calcium accumulation. Such a strategy efficiently induces mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and immunogenic cell death, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis while potentiating antitumor immunity. We systematically summarize the design principles, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic applications of these calcium-free nanoplatforms, highlighting their potential to overcome the limitations of traditional therapies and boost ion-interference-based cancer treatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3903-4
Cross-wavelength near-perfect light capture technology is crucial in various fields, including spectroscopy, energy conversion, and electromagnetic control. Nevertheless, the primary challenge in broadband absorption is effectively coordinating the intrinsic response behavior of various electromagnetic waves across the nanometer-centimeter scale when interacting with matter. By adopting a multi-scale structural design strategy, the carbon-zirconium heterointerface is integrated into the macroscopic periodic unit cell (PUC) to develop an ultra-wideband light capture material. The optical coupling effect, strengthened by electronic transitions, molecular motion, and spatial scattering effects, endows ZC-PUC with exceptional light-capture performance ranging from ultraviolet to microwave frequencies. Specifically, the ZC-PUC absorber possesses a near-perfect absorption rate of 95.7% across the ultraviolet-visible-infrared spectrum (190–2500 nm), and an effective absorption coverage of 99.99% in the microwave and terahertz bands (1997.9 GHz). More importantly, the as-prepared material maintains the morphology structure and physical phase even when exposed to an alkaline or acidic environment for 365 days and simultaneously possesses stable light capture properties. The easily scalable approach retains excellent structural stability and ultra-wideband light trapping capability under extreme conditions, offering a versatile platform for the development of next-generation devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3917-x
The escalating global challenge of antibiotic contamination demands advanced sensing technologies for environmental monitoring and public health protection. Here, we present a structurally well-defined, intercalation-engineered metal-organic framework (MOF), HSB-W18, which functions as an ultrasensitive and selective fluorescence sensor for fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis unambiguously determined both the framework architecture and the spatial organization of intercalated 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate molecules at atomic resolution. Through ultrasound-assisted synthesis, highly stable book-shaped microsheets (HSB-W18-MS) were obtained, maintaining exceptional aqueous dispersibility and luminescence intensity for over one month. These microsheets offer distinct advantages for antibiotic detection: specific recognition of diverse fluoroquinolones via unique fluorescence signatures; highly sensitive ratiometric detection of enoxacin (ENX) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.62 nM and rapid response kinetics (<30 s); exceptional selectivity alongside reusability. Systematic mechanistic investigations revealed a synergistic detection process involving multiple photophysical pathways. Furthermore, a smartphone-based portable detection system was successfully implemented, and the practical utility of the sensor was validated by quantifying ENX in complex environmental samples: tap water LOD = 18.32 nM and river water LOD = 29.87 nM. This study contributes to fundamental materials science and environmental monitoring by elucidating discernible structure-property relationships in intercalated MOFs, demonstrating a robust platform for field-deployable antibiotic detection and proposing an innovative design paradigm for environmental optical sensors.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3966-0
The development of low platinum-loading catalysts for the economically viable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains challenging. Herein, a precursor dilution strategy is used to fabricate Pt nanoclusters anchored on Ni-embedded porous carbon microspheres. The approach begins with the facile synthesis of Zn/Ni-based coordination polymers (Ni-BTC-Zn) due to the isomorphic substitution of Zn2+ and Ni2+. During pyrolysis, the evaporation of zinc species results in a highly porous carbon structure with well-dispersed nickel nanoparticles. Subsequent solvothermal treatment allows for the uniform deposition of Pt nanoclusters to form the final bimetallic PtNi catalysts (PtNi-BTC-C). Among them, the optimized PtNi-BTC-C10 exhibits exceptional alkaline HER performance, requiring an overpotential of only 41 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2 and a low Tafel slope of 31.1 mV dec−1. It also demonstrates outstanding durability with a current retention of 90.7% after 70 h, far exceeding Pt/C. Extensive characterization confirms that moderate Zn dilution optimally modulates the Ni particle size and dispersion, leading to maximized active sites and enhanced charge transfer. Combined with DFT calculations, the Pt-Ni-cluster model for PtNi-BTC-C10 possesses an optimized electronic structure with a shifted d-band center, which facilitates water dissociation and optimizes H* desorption with the most favorable energetics (0.262 eV). This work provides a fundamental understanding of precursor dilution engineering and offers a versatile pathway for designing advanced noble-metal-based bimetallic electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3892-2
Single-atom co-catalysts on semiconductor substrates offer a cost-efficient route to enhance photocatalytic performance with minimal precious metal loading. However, precise tuning of local coordination environments and construction of efficient single-atom co-catalysts remain challenging for overall water splitting. Here, we employ an icing-assisted photochemical reduction strategy to anchor atomically dispersed Pt species as hydrogen evolution co-catalysts on Al3+-doped SrTiO3 (Pt SA-STO). The optimized Pt SA-STO exhibits remarkable activity, with hydrogen and oxygen evolution rates of 13.62 and 6.71 mmol h−1 g−1, respectively, and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 2114.5 h−1. We pioneer the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to quantitatively track the temporal evolution of Pt4+ to Pt2+ under continuous irradiation during the icing-assisted photoreduction. Advanced characterizations and theoretical calculations confirm that single-atom Pt co-catalysts facilitate directional transfer and extraction of photogenerated charge carriers, effectively suppressing surface recombination. This work provides insights into designing novel single-atom co-catalysts by deepening understanding of electronic configurations and active sites in photocatalytic overall water splitting.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3920-1
Lead-free halide perovskites are promising scintillators due to strong X-ray attenuation and high internal quantum efficiency (IQE), but their application is hindered by moisture sensitivity. Here, CsSrCl3:Eu2+ nanocrystals were grown in situ in a specially designed inorganic glass matrix. By employing [PO4]-modification and controlled crystallization, a transparent CsSrCl3:Eu2+ glass-ceramic (GC) scintillator was obtained, combining high crystallinity (15.9%) with excellent optical transparency (85.3% at 432 nm). The GC exhibits outstanding photoluminescence (PL) performance, including a high IQE of 87.6% and superior thermal stability (74% intensity retention at 493 K relative to 303 K). Benefiting from the robust glass matrix, the GC retains 99% of its initial PL intensity after 14 days of water immersion. Under X-ray excitation, it shows blue X-ray excited luminescence (XEL), with peak and integrated intensities reaching 117% and 25.1% of those of Bi4Ge3O12 crystal, respectively. The scintillator achieves a high spatial resolution of 20 lp mm−1 and an X-ray detection limit of 3.7 μGy s−1. Furthermore, it demonstrates exceptional operational stability in humid environments, maintaining clear X-ray image contrast even after 48 h of water submersion. This study provides an effective strategy for stabilizing hygroscopic halide scintillators in a durable [PO4]-modified fluoroaluminate glass matrix and demonstrates the potential of CsSrCl3:Eu2+ GC for high-resolution and stable X-ray imaging.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4107-x
Aqueous fiber zinc-iodine batteries (FZIBs) with four-electron redox exhibit inherent safety and high energy density for wearable electronics. Nevertheless, their practical implementations are hindered by unsatisfactory cycling stability and low realistic energy density, mainly caused by severe H2O-induced nucleophilic attack toward iodine species and poor zinc anode reversibility. Here, we report a quaternary ammonium-mediated coordination strategy to simultaneously address the irreversible cathode/anode redox behavior and thus promote the electrochemical performance of four-electron FZIBs. The cationic choline ion (Ch+) induces complexation with ICl2− via electrostatic interaction, homogenizing the electron cloud density and suppressing irreversible hydrolysis of I+ species, enabling a reversible near-theoretical high capacity of 418.3 mAh g−1. Meanwhile, preferentially adsorbed Ch+ on the zinc anode surface creates positively charged shielding layers, mitigating the tip effect caused by localized electric field and achieving robust zinc stripping/plating. The enhanced cathode/anode reversibility and improved interfacial stability enable stable FZIBs operation for over 20,000 cycles at 20.0 A g−1. Moreover, successful integration of FZIBs into electronic textiles with glucose and cardiac rhythm sensors demonstrates great potential for next-generation wearable electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4079-4
Utilization of ultrahigh-nickel LiNi_xCo_yMn_1-x-yO_2 (NCM) (x > 0.97) in Li-ion batteries can distinctively boost energy density through enhanced discharge capacity. However, capacity and thermal stability deteriorate as Ni content approaches the limit. Here, we propose a facile strategy by introducing high-valence tungsten (W) into ultrahigh-nickel polycrystalline LiNi_0.98Co_0.01Mn_0.01O_2 (PCNCM98). W-doped PCNCM98 (W-PCNCM98) exhibits refined, compactly stacked primary particles, whereas PCNCM98 shows equiaxial, non-uniform larger particles. The refined microstructure enhances mechanical strength: average particle hardness of W-PCNCM98 is 104 MPa, 1.5 times higher than PCNCM98 (68 MPa). This improved mechanical property suppresses lattice volume changes and relieves microcrack formation from H2–H3 phase transition. Consequently, cycling performance in pouch-type full cells is significantly enhanced, with capacity retention of 73% after 2000 cycles at 1 C and 25 °C, 54% higher than PCNCM98. Enhanced structural stability and strong electron affinity of W6+ also improve thermal stability: exothermic peak for W-PCNCM98 is postponed to 203 °C with heat generation of 1287 J g−1, versus 190 °C and 1528 J g−1 for PCNCM98. This high-valent doping strategy stabilizes ultrahigh-nickel NCM cathodes, accelerating large-scale EV applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3948-7
High-performance thermoelectric materials are typically narrow-band gap semiconductors. Here, by decoupling charge and heat transport in BaZrS3 with a band gap of about 1.9 eV, we made the emerging chalcogenide perovskite a high-performance thermoelectric material with only earth-abundant elements. Our first-principles calculations indicate that the high ionicity of BaZrS3 renders the electrons to propagate mainly through the Zr-4d orbitals, so that isovalent alloying Se on S sites minimally affects its charge transport while effectively suppressing lattice thermal conductivity. Using a flux-assisted solid-state method, we synthesized single-phase BaZrS3(1−x)Se3x samples with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25. As an indicator of decoupled charge and heat transport, the electron mobility is found barely degraded with increasing Se content, while the thermal conductivity is significantly reduced from 2.07 to 0.99 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature. This results in a record-high ZT of 0.81 at 750 K, a value never achieved for materials with band gaps greater than 1.5 eV, and the highest among all perovskite materials. Our work not only underscores the potential of wide band gap semiconductors as high-performance thermoelectric materials, but also demonstrates the strategy of decoupling the charge and heat transport for enhancing their thermoelectric performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3941-2
The precise and directed assembly of multicomponent aggregates remains a central challenge in materials chemistry, particularly the integration of neutral clusters. This study introduces a 'cation-mediated co-crystallization' strategy to overcome electrostatic assembly barriers between neutral aluminum molecular rings and polyoxometalates (POMs). By controllably functionalizing the rings with cationic moieties, the approach bypasses traditional 'ion-pair' limitations, enabling incorporation of diverse neutral clusters. The strategy exhibits structural extensibility, with cationic sites adjustable on ring exteriors or interiors, and potential extension to various polyanionic systems. The resulting hybrid materials demonstrate outstanding solution processability. When incorporated as dielectric dopants in a polymer matrix, they achieve a synergistic '1+1>2' effect: aluminum rings contribute high capacitance density (~11.19) and low dielectric loss (~0.03), while POMs provide high breakdown strength (~740 MV m−1). This work establishes a paradigm for directed macroscopic functional assembly via molecular-level cluster interaction 'encoding'.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3971-6
Photocatalytic reduction of soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV) is a pivotal technology for uranium remediation and resource recovery. However, conventional covalent organic frameworks (COFs) suffer from short-range electron transport, leading to rapid electron-hole recombination and limited efficiency. Here, we report the rational design of anthraquinone-based COFs with donor-acceptor (D-A) architectures, employing 2,4,6-triformylphloroglucinol (TP) as the donor and 1,4-diaminoanthraquinone (1,4-DQ) or 1,5-diaminoanthraquinone (1,5-DQ) as the acceptor. By varying the connection mode of the building units, the electron transfer distance is systematically extended, effectively suppressing charge recombination. Among the synthesized COFs, ECUT-COF-152 exhibits optimal photocatalytic activity under visible light, achieving 100% U(VI) removal with a maximum reduction capacity of 1950 mg g−1. This work demonstrates that precise tuning of the D-A structure and electron transfer pathways is an effective strategy to enhance the photocatalytic performance of COFs for uranium reduction, offering insights for the design of efficient materials for nuclear waste treatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3907-0
Passive radiative cooling dissipates heat through the atmospheric transparency window (8–13 μm) into cold outer space, offering energy-free building cooling. However, its performance degrades substantially in humid environments; for instance, in Singapore, where average relative humidity is ~80%, achievable cooling power can be as low as ~20 W/m², far below the theoretical maximum of ~150 W/m² under dry conditions. Restricted sky view factor on building facades further curtails efficiency. Evaporative cooling, leveraging water's high latent heat of vaporization (~2256 J/g), provides an omnidirectional heat dissipation pathway but porous materials like hydrogels suffer from swelling, poor adhesion, and structural degradation. Here, we report a cement-based integrated cooling paint (CCP) that synergistically combines radiative and evaporative cooling. The paint utilizes a calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) porous network matrix with barium sulfate nanoparticles, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and lithium chloride (LiCl). The optimized formulation (CCP-30) achieves high solar reflectance of ~93% in the dry state and maintains ~89% reflectance when wetted. Its high emissivity (~95%) within the atmospheric window ensures efficient radiative heat dissipation. PVA and LiCl inhibit plastic shrinkage and promote continued hydration, yielding a denser, robust microstructure. The interconnected porous structure and hygroscopic components enable passive water capture from rainfall and ambient moisture, driving sustained evaporative cooling. Field tests in Singapore showed a ~5°C lower surface temperature on CCP-coated facades compared to commercial radiative cooling paint, and an ~8°C reduction on a proximate black absorber, indicating mitigation of local heat island effects. Building energy simulations indicated 30–40% more savings in air conditioning electricity consumption. The paint is prepared via a simple one-pot method compatible with standard production, indicating excellent commercialization potential.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510071
Carbon source is a critical factor driving heterotrophic denitrification, yet the low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) of livestock wastewater limits this process. This study developed novel composite carbon sources by combining corncob (CC) and polycaprolactone (PCL). Static carbon release and denitrification experiments were conducted to evaluate carbon release patterns and nitrogen removal performance. Results showed that the carbon release index (n) was below 0.45, indicating Fickian diffusion as the dominant release mechanism. The composite carbon source prepared at a CC:PCL mass ratio of 3:2 (denoted YP4) achieved a nitrate nitrogen removal efficiency of 94.76%, with effluent ammonia nitrogen meeting the discharge limits of GB 18596-2001. High-throughput sequencing revealed that YP4 increased the relative abundance of genera capable of denitrification and biopolymer degradation (e.g., Aeromonas, Novosphingobium, Bacteroides, and Clostridium sensu stricto), thereby enhancing heterotrophic denitrification and nitrogen removal. These findings provide a novel approach for selecting and preparing external carbon sources for biological heterotrophic denitrification of low C/N wastewater.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026051001
Haikou, a representative tropical city in China, experiences air pollution influenced by both local emissions and regional transport. This study analyzed O3 and PM2.5 concentrations, emission sources, and meteorological fields from Haikou and Guangdong-Guangxi cities in 2024, employing correlation analysis and the Weighted Potential Source Contribution Function (WPSCF) to systematically investigate spatial-temporal patterns, regional linkages, and transport mechanisms. Results revealed distinct pollution characteristics: Hainan exhibited prominent O3 pollution in autumn and winter, while the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in Guangdong suffered significant O3 pollution year-round, positioning it as the core control area. Guangxi was characterized by severe PM2.5 pollution in winter with extensive high concentration areas. Haikou's O3 and PM2.5 concentrations showed strong correlations with those in Zhanjiang and Maoming throughout the year, particularly in winter. Regional transport analysis indicated that O3 pollution in Haikou depended on stable cross-regional precursor transport coupled with intense photochemical conditions, whereas PM2.5 exhibited diverse transport pathways across seasons. Lag effect analysis confirmed that pollution exceedance days were substantially influenced by upwind transport from the previous day, highlighting the dominant role of cross-regional physical transport. Autumn pollution was driven by stable surface northeasterly winds and upper-level uniform pressure fields. Potential source areas were highly consistent with the MEIC emission inventory, confirming distinct contributions of transport pathways for O3 and PM2.5. These findings provide a scientific basis for differentiated collaborative control of air pollution in tropical coastal cities.