SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3848-7
Conventional heterogeneous photocatalysts often suffer from insufficient light absorption, rapid charge recombination, and a lack of specific reactive sites for efficient photocatalytic oxidation. To overcome these limitations, we propose a molecular polarization engineering approach utilizing structurally well-defined donor (D)-acceptor (A) covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs). The construction of dipole-induced built-in electric fields within the D-A-structured CTFs enables enhanced exciton dissociation and facilitates directional charge transfer. Specifically, the asymmetric A1-D-A2 moiety enhances molecular polarization in the dual-acceptor system CTF-TBT (A1-D-A2), enabling efficient charge separation through multiple electron-withdrawing units. This structural design promotes directional electron transfer toward the secondary acceptor (benzothiazole, A2), while simultaneously concentrating holes on the donor unit. Consequently, the A2 moiety acts as a site for efficient O2 activation via electron accumulation, whereas the highly oxidized donor unit provides strongly positive holes (h+) that facilitate substrate oxidation. Experimental and DFT calculation results confirm that CTF-TBT demonstrates highly enhanced photocatalytic oxidation performance, which can be attributed to its multi-channel charge separation mechanism and spatially separated redox-active sites. This study highlights the effectiveness of molecular dipole engineering in designing heterogeneous photocatalysts with controlled charge transfer pathways and improved redox capabilities. The proposed design principles provide a universal approach for promoting solar-driven chemical synthesis applications.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026022502
This study investigates the effects of different land use types on topsoil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and their spatial distribution in the lower reaches of the Sancha River Basin, a karst region of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Grid sampling collected 0–20 cm topsoil from forestland (n=23), cultivated land (n=25), and grassland (n=32). Total C and N were measured. Results showed that topsoil C content followed grassland (40.36±22.92 g·kg−1) > forestland (37.05±12.83 g·kg−1) > cultivated land (34.06±14.57 g·kg−1), while N content followed forestland (2.89±0.76 g·kg−1) > grassland (2.67±1.19 g·kg−1) > cultivated land (2.50±0.65 g·kg−1). One-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences among land use types (P>0.05). Soil C and N were significantly positively correlated across all land uses (r>0.5, P<0.001). Coefficient of variation (CV) indicated grassland had the highest C variability (0.57), while forestland showed the most stable C and N (CV=0.35 and 0.26, respectively). Cultivated land had CVs of 0.43 for C and 0.26 for N. Spatially, forestland exhibited concentrated high C values with significant N heterogeneity; grassland had higher C in southern and eastern areas but scattered distribution, with generally low and variable N; cultivated land showed uniform but lowest C and N. Land use types significantly drive topsoil C and N dynamics through vegetation input, soil disturbance, and management practices, underscoring the importance of rational land use planning for enhancing carbon sink functions and sustainable development in karst watersheds.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4065-6
Industrial-scale hydrogen production from seawater is a paramount goal for a sustainable energy future, yet it is severely hampered by the rapid deactivation of electrocatalysts under harsh operating conditions. Here, we introduce a robust self-supporting aerogel catalyst designed to address the two intertwined challenges of activity and stability in high-current-density seawater electrolysis. Our strategy involves creating strong metal-support interactions by anchoring ultrasmall platinum nanoparticles onto a porous N-doped carbon aerogel (Pt@N/CFP). Theoretical calculations reveal that this unique Pt-N interface serves a dual critical function: it not only lowers the kinetic barrier for water dissociation but also creates an electronic shield that effectively prevents chloride ion poisoning of the Pt active sites. When implemented as the cathode in a practical anion-exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer, the Pt@N/CFP catalyst demonstrates exceptional performance, achieving a low cell voltage of 1.688 V at an industrial-grade current density of 1000 mA cm−2 and maintaining outstanding stability for over 300 h. This work provides guidance for creating exceptionally durable catalysts capable of withstanding extreme electrochemical environments.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4030-y
In the era of artificial intelligence, efficient perception and processing of massive visual information demand advanced machine vision systems. Inspired by human visual adaptation, various optoelectronic devices have been developed, yet most rely on external gate voltages or complex circuits for dynamic sensitivity modulation. This work demonstrates an all-optically controlled biomimetic sensor based on a one-dimensional ZnO/MAPbBr3 heterojunction, achieving both positive and negative photoconductivity effects. By modulating oxygen vacancy states with ultraviolet light, the competition between intrinsic photoconduction and trap-mediated carrier capture is regulated, enabling dynamic control of visible-light photoresponse within a single device. This tunable behavior mimics scotopic adaptation (photopigment regeneration under weak illumination), photopic adaptation (photopigment bleaching in bright environments), and eyelid-like self-protection against intense light. The device operates without external gate bias or cascaded circuits, offering a promising strategy for next-generation intelligent biomimetic sensors in machine vision.