SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4206-6
Precise patterning of highly ordered organic semiconductor (OSC) thin-film arrays is critical for next-generation electronics. We report a ladder-like polysilsesquioxane (LPSQ) strategy to synthesize two functional analogs with tunable surface energies and robust dielectric properties. These LPSQ dielectrics, functionalized with alkyl or fluoroalkyl side chains, serve dual roles as gate insulators and patterning layers to guide blade-coating of 2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT). This approach yields highly aligned arrays suitable for three-dimensional integration in flexible electronics. Synergistic combination of dense LPSQ dielectric packing and aligned semiconductor domains leads to excellent organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) performance, achieving approximately four-fold improvement in field-effect mobility compared to conventional silicon oxide dielectrics. Patterned LPSQ dielectrics enable high-resolution C8-BTBT patterning on plastic substrates, supporting 4-inch-scale 3D integration of flexible logic circuits, including inverters (voltage gain >100), NOR gates, and NAND gates. This work provides a scalable route to high-performance, large-area flexible organic circuits.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4235-6
Fluorite-structured oxides (HfO2, ZrO2) are promising for resistive random-access memory (RRAM) due to their scalability and tunable properties. However, achieving high resistive switching on/off ratios remains challenging. Here, we report a collaborative strategy combining Hf/Zr ratio optimization and Lu3+ doping to regulate band structure and oxygen vacancy concentration in Hf0.4Zr0.6O2 (LHZO) thin films. The resulting LHZO devices exhibit a resistive switching ratio of 8.4 × 10^4, two orders of magnitude higher than that of ZrO2 (1.2 × 10^3). Electrical characterization and synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy reveal that Lu doping widens the bandgap to 4.95 eV, downshifts the valence band, and introduces defect states, collectively suppressing p-type conductivity and reducing off-state leakage current. Simultaneously, Lu3+ doping enriches oxygen vacancies, stabilizing ohmic conductive filaments in the on-state. This co-optimization of band structure and oxygen vacancies effectively enhances insulating properties in the high-resistance state and ohmic conductivity in the low-resistance state, leading to superior resistive switching performance with robust retention (>10^4 s). Our findings establish a fundamental strategy for tailoring electronic properties of doped HfZrO2 thin films toward high-performance RRAM applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3610-7
Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers an attractive route to produce value-added multicarbon (C2+) products, yet suffers from competing hydrogen evolution and monocarbon production. Here, we propose a dual-confinement effect on CO2 reactant and *CO intermediate, induced by tuning the pore configuration of reconstructed covalent organic frameworks (RC-COFs). The highly crystalline microporous RC-COF-1, when coated on a Cu electrode, enhances local CO2 concentration and restricts CO diffusion, thereby promoting C-C coupling. In acidic electrolyte, the RC-COF-1@Cu electrode achieves a maximum C2+ Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 67.0% at 500 mA cm−2, while maintaining a total carbon product FE above 90% across a broad current density range (100–500 mA cm−2). Experimental and theoretical analyses confirm that the ordered micropores of RC-COF-1 modulate reactant adsorption and intermediate diffusion, leading to improved C2+ selectivity. This work underscores the critical role of COF pore architecture in microenvironment engineering for heterogeneous catalysis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3733-2
Irreversible sodium loss, primarily caused by solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation during initial cycling, significantly degrades the capacity of sodium-ion batteries by depleting active sodium. While pre-sodiation mitigates initial sodium loss, it fails to address continuous loss throughout the battery lifecycle. To overcome this limitation, we propose a sustained sodium compensation strategy utilizing activation-releasing systems. Key to this approach are high-capacity sodium compensators, Na2C2O4 and Na2C4O4, supported on a B and N co-doped Mo2C-W2C (MoW-C) heterostructure catalyst. This configuration enables efficient sodium release at charging voltages of 3.53 and 3.78 V, respectively. By integrating the sodium supplement agent onto the separator, and precisely controlling voltage and charge, multiple sodium replenishment is achieved over the entire battery lifecycle. This strategy reduces initial active sodium loss by 36.53%. Furthermore, a single activation during subsequent usage provides an additional 0.115 mAh cm−2 of active sodium. As a result, the cell exhibits exceptional cycling stability, with a capacity loss of only 0.059% per cycle over 350 cycles at 0.5 C.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025091203
The persistence of tetracycline (TC) in aquatic environments poses significant ecological risks. This study developed a homogeneous reaction system based on carboxylated Fe2+ enhanced peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, using citric acid (CA) as a ligand. Carboxylation improved Fe2+ stability and catalytic activity, while solid PMS served as the oxidant, circumventing issues of traditional Fenton processes such as H2O2 instability, complex heterogeneous catalyst preparation, high disposal costs, and toxic metal leaching. The acidic pretreatment enabled by CA inhibited Fe2+ oxidation and promoted sustained PMS activation without external energy input. Under optimized conditions (TC 5 mg·L−1, Fe2+ 0.02 mmol·L−1, CA 0.001 mmol·L−1, PMS 2 mmol·L−1), 88.80% TC degradation was achieved within 60 min. Mechanistic studies revealed that CA protected Fe2+ active sites via carboxyl coordination, facilitating continuous generation of reactive species, including singlet oxygen (1O2) and sulfate radicals (SO4•−). 1O2 was the dominant species (50.5% contribution), followed by SO4•− (35.7%), synergistically driving efficient TC degradation while significantly reducing iron sludge production. Phytotoxicity assays confirmed that treated water exhibited no significant toxicity to wheat seedlings (P > 0.05), indicating effective ecological risk elimination. This work provides a low-energy, operationally simple, and environmentally friendly technology for antibiotic-contaminated water treatment, with promising practical application potential.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024103107
Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were developed to predict the reaction rate constants (kO3) of aromatic compounds with ozone in water. Molecular descriptors were screened using a combination of genetic algorithm and stepwise regression. Multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector machine (SVM), and projection pursuit regression (PPR) were employed to construct local models. The PPR model exhibited superior performance with a goodness-of-fit R2 of 0.923, leave-one-out cross-validation Q2LOO of 0.836, and external validation Q2ext of 0.873. The model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), revealing that ozone attack is hindered by the presence of dssC (=C<) fragments and chlorine atoms. The applicability domain was characterized using Williams plots. Tree manifold approximation and projection (TMAP) was used to visualize structural similarity and diversity, and Arithmetic Residuals in K-groups Analysis (ARKA) identified potential activity cliffs. The model adheres to OECD principles for QSAR validation, providing a robust tool for predicting kO3 of untested or novel aromatic compounds and extendable to other environmental applications.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225200
Phosphogypsum, a by-product of wet-process phosphoric acid production, poses severe environmental and safety challenges due to its massive annual output and stockpiling. This study addresses the urgent need for resource utilization by employing phosphogypsum as the primary raw material, supplemented with ground granulated blast furnace slag, fly ash, and type II anhydrite. Two foaming agents, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and aluminum powder, were used to regulate pore structure, and their effects on ceramsite performance were compared. Under identical preparation conditions, aluminum powder yielded higher 7-day cylinder compressive strength than NaHCO3. Optimal formulations achieved a maximum cylinder compressive strength of 6.5 MPa with a bulk density of 1020 kg/m3, meeting lightweight aggregate concrete strength requirements. Aluminum powder produced closed pores, reducing bulk density to as low as 765 kg/m3, while NaHCO3 generated interconnected pores leading to higher water absorption. XRD, SEM, and BET analyses revealed that strength-contributing phases are calcium silicate hydrate and calcium aluminate hydrate; trace heavy metals (Mo, Ti) hinder their formation, causing structural defects. This work demonstrates a green, non-fired route for phosphogypsum valorization, offering environmental and economic benefits and a pathway for large-scale utilization.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60631-1
Methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) offers a carbon-neutral route to benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX), yet the regulatory mechanisms of Brønsted acid site (BAS) strength and spatial proximity to Mo sites remain unresolved. This study systematically tunes BAS strength via isomorphous substitution (Al, Ga, Fe, B) and Mo-BAS proximity in ZSM-5, integrating catalytic evaluations with density functional theory (DFT). Strongly acidic Al-zeolites achieve the highest methane conversion, while weakly acidic B-substituted systems exhibit optimal mono-/bifunctional synergy, outperforming moderate-acid counterparts. DFT reveals that deprotonation energy (DPE) correlates with acid strength; Al-ZSM-5 (DPE = -5.68 eV) lowers the C–H activation barrier (ΔG = 1.467 eV). Spatial proximity analysis shows that nanoscale Mo-BAS distances, achieved via ball milling, enhance methane conversion by 33% and BTX yield by 31% compared to micrometer-scale mixtures, by accelerating intermediate transport and suppressing coke. These findings establish a multi-scale framework linking acid strength, spatial confinement, and electronic modulation, providing actionable guidelines for designing next-generation MDA catalysts.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010604
Groundwater is a vital component of Beijing's water supply, yet elevated sulfide concentrations restrict its utilization. This study employed principal component analysis (PCA) and absolute principal component-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) to apportion sulfide sources and quantify their contributions in the middle and lower reaches of the Chaobai-Wenyu alluvial-proluvial fan. Sulfur and oxygen isotopes (δ34S and δ18O) were used to identify sulfate sources and discern anthropogenic versus natural influences. Results showed that high-sulfide groundwater predominantly occurred in Na-type water, with sulfide accumulation from desulphidation widespread, particularly in Shunyi and within the first, second, and third aquifers, independent of wet/dry seasons. Isotopic analysis indicated sulfate mainly originated from evaporite dissolution, and sulfides from desulphidation were of geological background origin. PCA extracted four principal components: leaching-enrichment (F1), natural dissolution of iron-manganese oxides (F2), water desulphidation (F3), and CaF2 dissolution equilibrium (F4). F3 exhibited the highest factor loading for sulfide (0.418), while other components had small negative loadings. APCS-MLR revealed F3 contributed 21.32% of sulfide, while indigenous sources (e.g., acid-volatile sulfide dissolution, elemental sulfur disproportionation, geothermal activity, well casing materials) contributed 63.66%. Overall, sulfide in the study area is a geological background factor, with limited anthropogenic influence.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3812-5
Anaerobic bacterial infections, prevalent in oxygen-deprived tissues, are recalcitrant to conventional antibiotics due to slow bacterial metabolism and the generation of nutrient-rich niches that foster polymicrobial biofilms. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a skin commensal, exemplifies this challenge, causing acne vulgaris and implant-associated infections, with rising antibiotic resistance. This study introduces an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), WRK (sequence: WRKFRRFKFRW-NH2), which induces endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in anaerobic bacteria, exploiting their inherent low ROS tolerance. WRK exhibited potent antibacterial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 μg mL−1 against planktonic P. acnes and a minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of 64 μg mL−1. To enable dermal delivery, WRK was encapsulated in layered dissolving microneedles (MNs), which demonstrated adequate mechanical strength for skin penetration. In a mouse back acne model, AMP MNs significantly reduced P. acnes infection and inflammation, outperforming commercial clindamycin gel. Histological analysis confirmed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue hyperplasia in the AMP MN group. This strategy offers a promising approach for treating anaerobic infections without promoting drug resistance, addressing a critical unmet need in clinical dermatology and implant surgery.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0035
Iron-based catalysts in CO2/H2 atmospheres undergo dynamic carburization and oxidation phase transitions, complicating active-phase identification and stability control. This study prepared high-purity single-phase χ-Fe5C2 (Hägg carbide) and θ-Fe3C (cementite) via gas-solid carburization, with purity confirmed by XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Fixed-bed reactor tests (H2/CO2 = 1, 0.1 MPa, 270–420 °C), pulse experiments (270 °C), and in situ XRD (10% CO2/He, 340 °C) were employed to investigate catalytic performance and structural evolution in the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction. Results show that χ-Fe5C2 exhibits higher RWGS activity but is more susceptible to oxidation, whereas θ-Fe3C demonstrates superior oxidation resistance but lower activity. Under RWGS conditions with H2, θ-Fe3C partially transforms into χ-Fe5C2; however, in 10% CO2 atmosphere, both carbides directly oxidize to Fe3O4 without inter-carbide transformation. In situ XRD at 340 °C and 0.1 MPa revealed that χ-Fe5C2 fully oxidizes within 11 h, while θ-Fe3C retains residual phase after 18.3 h, confirming its higher oxidation stability. These findings elucidate the atmosphere-dependent evolution mechanisms of χ-Fe5C2 and θ-Fe3C, providing experimental basis for phase-structure regulation and operational stability optimization in iron-based Fischer-Tropsch and RWGS catalysts.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60701-3
Hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) is an effective method for removing nitrogen-containing heteroatom compounds from inferior feedstocks, with the core challenge being the development of catalysts that combine low cost and high performance. In this study, a FeZn-supported catalyst was modified by introducing six different metal promoters (La, Ti, Ce, Mn, Mg, and Cr). It was found that Cr exhibited a pronounced promotional effect on HDN performance. The promoting effect of Cr on the FeZn catalyst's activity originates from its electronic interaction with sulfided Fe species, rather than functioning as an independent active site. Specifically, Cr and Zn species act synergistically as electron donors, transferring electron density to the sulfided Fe species, thereby modulating the electronic structure of Fe to render it in an electron-rich state. This increased electronic density weakens the Fe–S bonds in the active phase, promoting their cleavage and facilitating the formation of hydrogenation active sites known as coordinated unsaturated sulfur vacancies (CUS). After introducing 3% Cr, under conditions of 340–380 °C, 4 MPa pressure, and a high weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 8.7 h−1, the catalyst's HDN conversion rate for the basic nitrogen compound quinoline increased by 14.5%–19.7% compared to the unmodified catalyst, reaching 81.9% at 380 °C. Furthermore, Cr introduction increased the number of medium-strength Lewis acid sites, which work synergistically with the increased CUS sites to enhance overall hydrogenation activity. Cr addition effectively governs the selectivity of the HDN pathway, with the reaction rate constant for the deep hydrogenation pathway over the FeZn3Cr@GA catalyst reaching 3.2 times that of the unmodified FeZn@GA catalyst. In summary, using Fe as the primary active metal component and regulating its electronic structure through promoters represents an effective approach for designing low-cost, high-performance HDN catalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3862-x
Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is indispensable for next-generation electronics and quantum technologies, yet controlled synthesis of isotopically engineered hBN with macroscopic scalability and atomic-level precision remains challenging. Here, we present a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method using elemental boron (B) and nitrogen (N) precursors to achieve wafer-scale growth and precise isotopic control of hBN films. High-quality hBN films are synthesized on Cu substrates via optimized B evaporation and N2 plasma activation. The growth mechanism involves an oxygen-mediated pathway for B transport and a layer-by-layer (Frank-van der Merwe) mode for multilayer formation. By employing isotopically enriched B powders (10B and 11B) and N2 gases (14N2 and 15N2), we demonstrate tunable isotopic compositions with phonon mode shifts quantitatively matching harmonic oscillator predictions. Furthermore, we realize unprecedented in-plane h10BN-h11BN heterostructures through dynamic B source switching during growth. This PECVD strategy establishes a transformative synthesis platform merging industrial-scale production capacity with atomic-scale isotopic precision, enabling new opportunities to engineer thermal transport, optical response, and quantum coherence in two-dimensional materials.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025041405
Microplastics, as a class of emerging environmental contaminants, pose global concerns due to their potential ecological and human health impacts. Accurate identification and quantification of microplastics in environmental matrices are essential for assessing their environmental fate and ecological risks. Pyrolysis-based analytical methods, which decompose macromolecules into smaller fragments followed by gas chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection, offer high sensitivity and accuracy, making them significant for microplastic analysis. Despite these advantages, their application remains nascent, with limited comprehensive understanding of their applicability across diverse environmental media. This review systematically compares three pyrolysis-based techniques—pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), and thermal extraction-desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS)—for microplastic detection in various matrices. The effectiveness of each method is evaluated in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and matrix compatibility. Critical challenges, including lack of standardized protocols, complex sample pretreatment requirements, and limitations in quantifying mixtures, are identified. Future research directions emphasize the need for standardization, optimization of pretreatment for complex matrices, and integration with complementary techniques such as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to enhance comprehensive microplastic characterization. This review provides a critical framework for selecting appropriate pyrolysis-based methods and highlights areas requiring further methodological development.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3843-9
Lignocellulose-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are gaining prominence across multiple sectors, driven by the growing EMI issues associated with rapid advances in communication technologies and electronic devices. These materials have demonstrated significant superiority over traditional EMI shielding solutions, which are often hampered by high cost and environmental concerns. This review emphasizes the excellent potential of lignocellulose as a cost-effective and flexible alternative to deliver the hierarchical structures and functional properties that qualify it for EMI shielding applications. The underlying EMI shielding mechanisms are then elucidated, with a focus on the benefits conferred by lignocellulose in such material systems. Furthermore, typical fabrication strategies for lignocellulose-based EMI shielding materials are comprehensively summarized, along with a discussion of their emerging applications in diverse scenarios. Finally, the challenges encountered in developing lignocellulose-based EMI shielding materials and their significant prospects for future boosting high-performance design and application are also outlined. The insights presented herein are expected to promote the development of efficient and green lignocellulose-based EMI shielding materials that meet the evolving demands of modern society.