SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4304-5
Comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation efficiency is essential for designing appropriate training programs for better musculoskeletal functional recovery. Existing contact-receptor-dependent rehabilitation assessment systems mostly focus on assessing the restoration of muscle function by evaluating grip strength or joint flexion angle; however, parameters reflecting neuromuscular synergistic function are always overlooked. Herein, we develop an ionoelastomer-based soft artificial electroreceptor (SAER) that integrates tele-perception and tactile sensation to track the rehabilitation process, collecting signals related to approaching speed and grip strength sequentially. The SAER uses polyurethane ionoelastomer incorporated with quasi-solid conductive salt as the electric field receptor, and is integrated on a rehabilitation-training ball after assembly to establish an untethered detection device; this enables the remote capture of hand approaching parameter within a 9 cm range, followed by the quantification of grip strength when contacting and grasping. Furthermore, a data-driven assessment system is established by integrating machine learning, which accurately classifies rehabilitation efficiency into six levels; it supports for rehabilitation evaluation and training programs adjustment. Overall, the SAER-based rehabilitation management system establishes a paradigm that synergistically evaluating parameters corresponding to neuromuscular functional restoration and holds strong potential for home-based active rehabilitation for minimizing dependence on frequent clinical supervision.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4245-4
The discrimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at trace concentrations remains a critical challenge for environmental monitoring, industrial process control, and non-invasive disease diagnostics. Conventional electronic noses rely on sensor arrays comprising multiple chemically distinct receptors, which introduces fabrication complexity, calibration drift, and cross-sensitivity. Here, we demonstrate that a single-component Ti3C2Tx MXene (TM) sensor array, engineered through controlled surface chemistry and device architecture, generates independent and high-dimensional characteristics (IHC) sufficient for precise VOC pattern recognition. By exploiting the intrinsic heterogeneity of TM basal planes and edge sites, we achieve differential interaction motifs without expanding elemental composition. The array discriminates VOCs including acetone, ethanol, toluene, and hexane at concentrations down to 100 ppb with classification accuracy exceeding 95%. Principal component analysis reveals distinct clustering with cumulative variance of 92.3% captured by the first three principal components. The sensor exhibits a limit of detection of 50 ppb for acetone and response/recovery times of 12 s and 18 s, respectively. Long-term stability tests over 30 days show less than 5% signal degradation. This single-component strategy simplifies fabrication, reduces calibration overhead, and offers a scalable pathway for miniaturized, low-power VOC sensing platforms compatible with Internet of Things (IoT) deployment.
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/s40843-026-4488-x
Thermochromic smart windows based on hydrogels suffer from inevitable freezing at subzero temperatures and dehydration at elevated temperatures, severely limiting their year-round applicability. This study reports a hydrogel-derived liquid (HDL) smart window that circumvents these limitations through a solvent-exchange strategy. The HDL is synthesized by polymerizing a hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) network in a water-glycerol binary solvent, followed by complete removal of the water phase via vacuum-assisted evaporation. The resulting anhydrous liquid exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 32 °C, with a solar modulation ability (ΔTsol) of 63.2% and a luminous transmittance (Tlum) of 88.1% in the clear state. Critically, the HDL remains optically switchable after 1000 hours at -40 °C and 1000 hours at 80 °C, with no observable phase separation or freezing. The smart window prototype demonstrates a 12.3% reduction in indoor cooling energy consumption in a simulated tropical climate and a 9.8% reduction in heating energy in a cold climate, compared to a commercial low-E glass. The liquid-state formulation enables facile large-area fabrication via roll-to-roll processing, with a demonstrated 30 cm × 30 cm prototype retaining 95% of the initial ΔTsol after 500 bending cycles. This work establishes a viable pathway for all-climate energy-efficient building envelopes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4239-2
The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a bottleneck for efficient water splitting. NiFe-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising OER catalysts, but their performance is often limited by the high-spin state of Fe3+ and poor structural stability. Here, we report a series of amino acid-intercalated iron-rich NiFe-LDHs (AA-NiFe-LDHs) synthesized via a facile one-step coprecipitation method. Intercalation of glycine, alanine, and valine into the interlayer galleries expands the interlayer spacing and induces a partial transition of Fe3+ from high-spin to low-spin state, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The low-spin Fe3+ enhances the intrinsic catalytic activity by optimizing the adsorption energy of oxygen intermediates. Among the series, the glycine-intercalated sample (Gly-NiFe-LDH) exhibits the best OER performance in 1.0 M KOH, with an overpotential of 240 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 38 mV dec−1, significantly outperforming the pristine NiFe-LDH (280 mV, 52 mV dec−1). Moreover, Gly-NiFe-LDH shows excellent long-term stability, retaining 95% of its initial activity after 24 h of chronopotentiometry at 10 mA cm−2. The intercalation also increases the electrochemically active surface area by 2.3-fold and reduces the charge transfer resistance from 12.5 Ω to 4.8 Ω. This work demonstrates that amino acid intercalation is an effective strategy to modulate the spin state of Fe3+ and enhance the OER performance of NiFe-LDHs, providing a new avenue for designing high-efficiency, low-cost electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4360-7
Polarization-sensitive photodetection is critical for advanced optical communication and imaging systems, yet conventional photodetectors suffer from low on-off ratios and limited polarization discrimination. Here, we report gate-tunable PdSe2/WSe2 van der Waals heterostructures that achieve ultrahigh light on-off ratio and polarization-sensitive photodetection. The heterostructure forms a type-II band alignment, enabling efficient charge separation and self-powered operation. By applying a gate voltage, the photoresponse can be modulated, achieving an on-off ratio exceeding 10^6 under illumination. The device exhibits a high responsivity of 1.2 A/W and a specific detectivity of 10^12 Jones at room temperature. Polarization-sensitive measurements reveal a linear dichroism ratio of 2.1 at 532 nm, attributed to the anisotropic crystal structure of PdSe2. The photodetector operates over a broad spectral range from visible to near-infrared (400-1000 nm) with fast response times (rise/fall < 100 μs). The gate-tunable capability allows dynamic control of the photocurrent, enabling adaptive sensing applications. These results demonstrate that PdSe2/WSe2 heterostructures are promising candidates for high-performance, polarization-sensitive photodetectors, offering a pathway for next-generation optoelectronic devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4176-y
Three-photon microscopy (3PM) in the near-infrared-III (NIR-III) window (1600–1840 nm) enables high-resolution visualization of cerebral vasculature in vivo, but its imaging depth and quality are limited by the performance of fluorescent probes. Here, we report a probe optimization strategy transitioning from mirror symmetry to centrosymmetry, yielding a highly symmetric aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecule, T4PQ. The centrosymmetric structure aligns donor-acceptor units, promoting uniform electron cloud delocalization and directional charge transfer, which enhances exciton formation and suppresses non-radiative decay, thereby increasing fluorescence quantum yield. This symmetry also boosts the three-photon absorption cross-section by enhancing electron delocalization and transition dipole moment, enabling stronger nonlinear optical responses under long-wavelength excitation. T4PQ nanoparticles (T4PQ NPs) exhibit an enhanced three-photon absorption cross-section, high fluorescence quantum yield, and excellent photostability. In murine models, T4PQ NPs achieved three-dimensional cerebrovascular imaging at a depth of 1785 μm and real-time hemodynamic observation in microvessels at 1006 μm depth, with good biocompatibility. These results validate the advantage of centrosymmetric molecular design for deep-brain imaging probes, offering a high-performance tool for neurovascular research.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4234-3
The pursuit of high-energy-density sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) necessitates the development of stable high-capacity anodes. While amorphous carbon is a promising anode candidate for SIBs, its practical application is hindered by limited capacity. Herein, we design a composite anode by chemically confining a high-content (~25 wt%) short-chain sulfur into hierarchical porous hard carbon microspheres (SHHC) derived from microbe yeast. The SHHC anode exhibits a high reversible capacity of ~807 mAh g−1 at 0.03 A g−1 (~3 times that of conventional amorphous carbon) along with superior rate capability, and extraordinary long-term cyclability (almost 100% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1). The high-content sulfur species contribute to superb redox reactivity for high-capacity sodium storage via a surface-dominated storage mechanism. The carbon matrix features an enlarged interlayer distance, which facilitates Na-ion intercalation and deintercalation for high-rate capability. Furthermore, the hierarchical porous structure with built-in cavities facilitates the Na-ion transfer and effectively accommodates the electrode’s volume expansion, achieving fast electrode kinetics and outstanding cyclability. Such a combination of favored properties leads to state-of-the-art comprehensive battery performance for Na-ion storage. Our finding envisions a new perspective on building stable high-capacity anode materials for SIBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4112-6
Radiostrontium remediation is crucial for ecological protection and sustainable development of nuclear energy. However, efficient removal of 90Sr from complex radioactive liquid waste, especially under acidic conditions, remains challenging due to material instability and intense proton competition. Herein, the rapid and highly selective capture of Sr2+ in neutral and even acidic solutions has been achieved by a layered potassium phosphatoantimonate KSbP2O8 with excellent radiation and thermal stability. Under neutral conditions, it possesses high maximum adsorption capacity (qmSr = 110.25 mg g−1), rapid adsorption kinetics (the removal rate (RSr) of 91.54% within 30 min), and excellent selectivity for Sr2+, and facile regeneration. Particularly, even under acidic conditions (pH 2.0), KSbP2O8 still maintains excellent Sr2+ removal capacity (qmSr = 79.38 mg g−1), fast kinetics, and high selectivity. A mechanism study by multiple characterizations reveals that the efficient Sr2+ removal of KSbP2O8 mainly stems from ion exchange between Sr2+ and interlayer K+ in KSbP2O8, which is attributed to the synergy between the Sb5+-induced Brønsted acidity and the high charge density of the anionic framework. This study demonstrates the exceptional capability of phosphatoantimonates to selectively capture Sr2+ under acidic conditions, highlighting the potential of phosphatoantimonates as effective scavengers for radiostrontium remediation.
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/s40843-025-3744-9
The high-value utilization of industrial wastes is critically important for environmental protection and sustainable development. In this work, amorphous NaFeP2O7 (NFPO) and NaFeP2O7/rGO (NFPO/rGO) composite are synthesized via a selective chemical precipitation approach, utilizing industrial jarosite residue as the iron source. The sodium storage performance and mechanism of this amorphous NFPO/rGO composite as a novel cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are explored for the first time. The as-synthesized amorphous NFPO/rGO composite exhibits outstanding long-term cycling performance of 79.1 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 0.1 A g−1, while the crystalline NFPO/rGO composite does not work. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis demonstrate that the amorphous NFPO/rGO composite has high Na+ diffusivity and fast kinetics. In-situ X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the structure change from amorphous NaFeP2O7 to triclinic Na2FeP2O7 during the first discharge process and then evolves to a highly disordered structure in the subsequent charge/discharge cycles. The present work not only provides an avenue for the high-value utilization of jarosite residue but also offers theoretical guidance for the structural design and development of NaFeP2O7-based cathode materials for SIBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3682-6
Metal single-atoms with optimized coordination structure on highly accessible substrate can maximize the metal utilization efficiency along with enhancing catalytic activities. Herein, axial nitrogen-coordinated Fe-N5 sites on N-doped carbon (denoted as FeN5@N-C) hollow microplates are fabricated via a unique Fe3+-chelated polydopamine assisted hollowing strategy using ZIF-L microplates as multifunctional templates. Due to the powerful chelating and adhesive ability of polydopamine, this hollow-carbon strategy can be extended to fabricate single-atom Fe-N-C hollow structures with different shapes and encapsulate other transition-metal single atoms (Ni, Co, Mn, and Cu) into the N-doped carbon hollow microplates. The FeN5@N-C hollow microplates exhibit outstanding oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) capability with an impressive half-wave potential of 0.93 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode and high stability, which can serve as air-cathode catalysts for high-performance Zn-air batteries with high peak power density of 225.3 mW cm−2 and stable cyclability of up to 400 h. Comprehensive analysis and theoretical calculations elucidate that axial nitrogen coordination in Fe-N5 catalytic sites, unlike the planar Fe-N4 configuration, can compete well with the bonding of OH* through additional 3d-2p orbital hybridization, thereby giving moderate bonding strength to enhance the ORR activity.
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/s40843-025-3860-0
Drug detection is critical for public health and security, yet reversible and highly sensitive sensing materials remain scarce. This study presents a novel ionogel sensor material, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)/1-butyl-3-methylimidazole tetrafluoroborate, for reproducible detection of N-methylphenylethylamine (MPEA), a structural analogue of methamphetamine. The ionogel is fabricated by immobilizing a flowable ionic liquid within a PEGDA network via UV curing, preserving ionic mobility for efficient conduction. Integrated on a flexible poly(ethylene naphthalate) substrate, the sensor exhibits over 72.6% transmittance in the visible spectrum, enabling concealed attachment. Utilizing non-covalent interactions, the sensor achieves reproducible MPEA detection at sub-ppb levels at room temperature, with a theoretical detection limit of 317 ppt. It demonstrates high selectivity and consistency. Ionic conductivity was confirmed via current-voltage tests and impedance spectroscopy, and the sensing mechanism was clarified. The device maintains reliable performance under bending, indicating suitability for dynamic environments. With Bluetooth integration for wireless data transmission, the sensor shows strong potential for practical, discreet drug monitoring in real-world applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3727-0
Lead halide perovskites are promising scintillators for X-ray imaging due to high X-ray absorption efficiency, excellent luminescence, and facile synthesis. However, their ionic nature challenges simultaneous high photoluminescence efficiency and environmental robustness. This work introduces a multilevel encapsulation strategy: CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) are sequentially coated with Cs4PbBr6, SiO2, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Cs4PbBr6 passivates surface defects, while SiO2 and PDMS provide barriers against moisture, heat, and radiation. The resulting CsPbBr3@Cs4PbBr6/SiO2/PDMS flexible films exhibit a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 85%, outstanding mechanical flexibility, and durability under stretching, bending, and compressing. Films retain emission stability under elevated temperatures, prolonged X-ray irradiation, and extended water immersion. X-ray imaging demonstrates spatial resolution of 12 lp/mm, enabling distortion-free imaging of curved objects; superior water resistance allows long-term underwater imaging. This work highlights hierarchical encapsulation in balancing luminescence efficiency and stability, offering a pathway toward practical flexible perovskite scintillators.
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.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604022
The resource utilization of food waste contributes to reducing environmental pollution, driving nutrient cycling and biomass energy development, and promoting the resource recycling industry, achieving a win-win outcome for environment and economy. This study evaluated the resource recovery performance and environmental impacts of producing carbon sources for wastewater treatment through hydrolysis and acidification of food waste, comparing with two conventional alternatives: anaerobic fermentation and incineration. Results showed that among the three technologies, hydrolysis for carbon source production ranked middle in resource recycling efficiency, but its environmental benefits were superior to incineration and anaerobic fermentation. The hydrolysis process did not produce additional wastewater requiring treatment, and its greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste generation intensity were relatively low, at -40.7 kg CO2-eq/t and 9.3%, respectively. Carbon sources derived from food waste can replace commercial alternatives, reducing wastewater treatment costs and promoting synergies between pollution reduction and carbon mitigation. Sensitivity analysis revealed that water content in food waste significantly influences solid impurity generation and energy recovery efficiency of hydrolysis technology. In regions with high food waste generation and carbon source demand, hydrolysis technology is recommended to facilitate large-scale synergistic treatment of wastewater and food waste.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604025
To meet the minute-level early-warning requirements for odor and multi-pollutant emissions at waste treatment facilities, this study proposed a multivariate short-term time-series prediction framework applicable to multi-tier scenarios covering source and boundary points (i.e., workshops and plant boundaries). Based on continuous online monitoring data with a 5-second resolution, a long short-term memory (LSTM) model using a sliding-window and recursive multi-step prediction strategy was constructed to jointly model odor concentration (OU) and pollutants including VOCs, NH3, H2S, and CH3SH (mg/m³). An evaluation protocol aligned with environmental supervision practice was established, incorporating mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), goodness-of-fit (R²), skill scores (SS) relative to a persistence baseline, and threshold-based error stratification to characterize uncertainty during peak emission periods. The results showed that at workshop monitoring sites with relatively stable operating conditions, VOCs, NH3, H2S, and CH3SH exhibited a high goodness of fit and low prediction errors. In contrast, at boundary sites affected by plume arrival delays and diffusion-dilution non-stationarity, OU and VOCs displayed significantly amplified errors during peak episodes, and the skill score advantage over the baseline became unstable at certain sites. Stratified analysis consistently revealed that non-peak periods outperformed peak periods, indicating that event-driven fluctuations were the main sources of error. Accordingly, this study suggested incorporating exogenous variables such as wind speed and direction, ventilation and gate access control, and operational rhythms, along with peak-sensitive loss functions, into the model to enhance its capacity to characterize and provide early warnings for transient emission pulses. Overall, this study established a reusable methodological baseline and evaluation paradigm for minute-scale multi-pollutant prediction, providing quantitative support for the operational management and source-to-boundary coordinated control of waste treatment facilities.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3882-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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4028-5
The escalating thermal management demands of modern electronics necessitate materials with superior thermal conductivity and matched thermal expansion. Cu/Diamond composites are promising, yet their fabrication typically requires extreme conditions (high temperature/pressure) or complex coating processes. This work introduces a one-step, heat-source-free cold manufacturing method using ultrasonic vibration to consolidate Cu/Diamond composites at room temperature and a low pressure of ~16 MPa within seconds. The applied pressure is reduced by 200–500 times, and the required temperature is only 20% of that used in conventional high-temperature high-pressure sintering. Direct metallurgical bonding at Cu-Cu interfaces and solid embedding of diamond particles in the Cu matrix are achieved, yielding a composite with a high yield strength of 150 MPa. The method enables a maximum diamond proportion of ~60%, resulting in a thermal conductivity exceeding 1043 W/(m·K) and a coefficient of thermal expansion below 10×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. Complex shapes are readily fabricated, and heat dissipation tests demonstrate superior performance compared to commercial Al₂O₃ and AlN substrates. The loose preparation conditions and rapid processing confer significant industrial production potential.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4043-3
In-plane InAs nanowires and nanowire networks are promising platforms for electronics, optoelectronics, and topological quantum computing due to their small electron effective mass, narrow bandgap, high electron mobility, strong spin-orbit coupling, and large Landé g factor. However, their selective area growth on CMOS-compatible group-IV substrates remains challenging. Here, we report the selective area growth of high-quality in-plane InAs nanowires and nanowire networks on Ge(111) substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy. Conventional selective-area epitaxy fails to simultaneously achieve good selectivity and continuity. To overcome this, we developed a metal-sown, single-indium-source two-step growth method, which attains both selectivity and continuity but yields nanowires with rough surfaces and lengths below 10 μm. We then introduced an upgraded metal-sown, dual-indium-source two-step growth method, successfully fabricating in-plane InAs nanowires and nanowire networks with smooth surface morphology and lengths exceeding 60 μm. By optimizing the As beam equivalent pressure, overgrowth at network junctions is effectively suppressed, resulting in uniform nanowire networks. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirm the high-quality single-crystalline nature and pure zinc-blende structure of the nanowires and networks. This work establishes a foundation for fabricating high-quality in-plane InAs/superconductor hybrid nanowires and nanowire networks on Ge substrates.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61091-8
Carbon-based quantum dots (C-QDs) have attracted growing attention in photocatalysis because of their tunable surface chemistry, unique electronic structure, and ability to regulate interfacial charge transfer. In recent years, their role has moved beyond that of simple light absorbers or general performance enhancers, and they are increasingly regarded as engineered interfacial components that can control charge separation, reaction-site microenvironments, and product selectivity. However, the broad claim that C-QDs improve photocatalytic performance often lacks clear mechanistic validation, which limits the ability to compare and reproduce reported studies. Recent advances in C-QD-based photocatalysis are reviewed with particular attention to the experimental evidence supporting their proposed roles and mechanisms. Three roles are considered: (a) electron sinks or charge reservoirs, (b) interfacial bridges or charge-transfer conduits, and (c) adsorption or microenvironment modulators. The evidence needed to support these assignments is then discussed, including measurements of band energetics and carrier dynamics, characterization of interfacial coupling, identification of reaction intermediates under working conditions, isotope-labeling experiments, and carbon balance analysis. Representative applications in hydrogen evolution, CO2 photoreduction, and pollutant degradation/photo-enhanced advanced oxidation processes are also analyzed to clarify how C-QD roles should be matched with reaction-specific metrics. Finally, the review identifies several recurring problems that hinder mechanistic interpretation and comparison between studies: C-QDs are often assigned different functions without sufficient evidence; Z-scheme and S-scheme labels are sometimes used without directly verifying the proposed charge-transfer pathways; reaction intermediates and catalyst behavior are not always examined under actual reaction conditions; and photocatalytic performance is reported using inconsistent metrics and test conditions. This review aims to provide practical guidance for building reliable structure–function relationships and for designing next-generation C-QD-based photocatalysts with clearer mechanisms, stronger reproducibility, and greater application potential.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3782-0
Oral mucositis (OM) is a debilitating complication of cancer therapy, characterized by severe pain, mucosal barrier breakdown, and infection risk. Current hydrogel-based topical systems suffer from poor transmucosal permeation and lack of inflammatory microenvironment-triggered drug release. Here, we report a supramolecular strategy for designing guanosine-fibril hydrogels and derived microneedle patches. Tavaborole (Ta), crisaborole (Cr), and strontium (Sr2+) ions serve dual roles as structural building blocks and biofunctional agents. Unlike conventional G4·K+ fibrils, the unique G4·Sr2+-Ta/Cr fibrils incorporate Ta/Cr via boronic ester bonds on guanosine and Sr2+ through G-quartet cation recognition. This design mechanically reinforces the hydrogel through additional hydrophobic interactions and ion-pair recognition, while synergistically providing antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory effects (Ta/Cr), pro-angiogenic activity (Sr2+), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging (guanosine). The optimized gelation process enables fabrication of microneedle patches with pseudomembrane-penetrating capability and ROS-triggered drug release via boronic ester hydrolysis. In vivo mouse experiments confirm efficacy in controlling OM-associated inflammation, modulating oral microbiota homeostasis, and promoting angiogenesis at ulcer sites. This work demonstrates multifunctional integration via hierarchical structural design, extending guanosine supramolecular assemblies into bioactive platforms for OM treatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3407-0
Grain boundary (GB) engineering has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the near-room-temperature performance of Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based thermoelectric materials, yet effective control of Mg distribution at GBs remains a significant challenge. Here, we report a novel approach to achieve targeted Mg segregation at GBs through strategic Ag incorporation in Mg3.3Sb0.5Bi1.497Te0.003. Through comprehensive microstructural characterization and first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that Ag preferentially segregates at GBs, forming Mg-rich MgAg alloy phases while maintaining limited solid solubility within the matrix. This unique GB architecture simultaneously optimizes multiple thermoelectric parameters: the Mg-rich GB regions significantly provide efficient carrier transport channels and enhance carrier mobility, while the MgAg phases and lattice disorders effectively scatter phonons without disrupting electron transport. Consequently, the optimized composition (x = 0.01) exhibits a remarkable enhancement in power factor at 300 K and maintains an average ZT of ~1.0 across 300–400 K. The material also demonstrates excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability, making it particularly suitable for near-room-temperature applications. Our findings not only establish an effective strategy for GB engineering in Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 systems but also provide valuable insights into the rational design of high-performance thermoelectric materials through interface modification.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506084
Groundwater is a vital drinking and irrigation source in the loess regions of northwestern China. In Guyuan, a densely populated area in southern Ningxia, systematic assessments of groundwater pollution risks are lacking. This study collected 60 groundwater samples and employed the Nemerow index, heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and health risk assessment models to evaluate pollution levels and health risks of eight elements including Cr, As, and Hg. Results show that the groundwater is generally Class IV quality, with a mean TDS of 1350.9 mg·L−1. Average concentrations of As, Cr, and Mn are 4.39, 29.87, and 45.77 μg·L−1, respectively. The Nemerow index indicates moderate pollution. The mean HPI is 10.56, but a local sample (PS1-51-下) reaches 36.15, indicating severe pollution. Health risk assessment reveals that carcinogenic risks from Cr and As for adults and children are 8.037×10−6 a−1 and 3.863×10−6 a−1, respectively, below US EPA limits but above recommended levels by Swedish and Dutch agencies, with children at higher risk. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and principal component analysis suggest that groundwater is primarily recharged by atmospheric precipitation. Cr, Zn, and Mn mainly originate from regional copper ore belts, coal mining, and agricultural activities. This study fills a gap in multidimensional groundwater assessment in populated loess areas, identifies pollution characteristics distinct from typical loess regions, and provides a scientific basis for regional water resource risk management and sustainable development.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605014
Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) are prevalent groundwater contaminants at industrial sites in China. This pilot-scale study evaluated in-situ anaerobic bioremediation of CAHs-contaminated groundwater in a low-permeability bedrock fracture zone at depths up to 40 m. A self-developed anaerobic dechlorinating culture (BS-1), containing Dehalococcoides, Desulfitobacterium, and Dehalogenimonas, was injected alongside carbon sources (sodium citrate and emulsified vegetable oil) and nutrients. Pressurized nitrogen gas injection enhanced the distribution of amendments, achieving a radius of influence of 5.0 m. Over 399 days of monitoring, the combined use of slow-release and soluble carbon sources maintained anaerobic conditions (ORP < -100 mV) for over one year, providing sustained electron donors. The emulsified vegetable oil reduced injection frequency and operational costs. The BS-1 culture effectively dechlorinated vinyl chloride, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and chloroform, achieving removal efficiencies exceeding 95%. At times, groundwater quality met the Class IV standard of GB/T 14848-2017. This study demonstrates a green, economical, and effective solution for CAH-contaminated site remediation, with significant engineering application potential.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3933-9
The global cold chain consumes vast amounts of energy and emits greenhouse gases, while many regions lack proper refrigeration. To address this, we developed a dual-layer electrospun membrane (PZ-PML) for energy-free fruit preservation. The top PVDF-HFP/ZIF-8 layer offers 97.64% solar reflectance and 92.5% mid-infrared emissivity, providing 70 W/m2 radiative cooling. The bottom PAN/MIL-101/LiCl layer, with 2.18 g/g water uptake at 80% RH, delivers ~156 W/m2 evaporative cooling, lowering surface temperature by 6.1 °C under ~400 W/m2 irradiation. The membrane also shows ≥99% antibacterial efficiency against E. coli and S. aureus. Applied to strawberries, it reduced dehydration to 20.2% after 9 days, compared to 68.2% and 74.4% in controls. Additionally, it demonstrates durability, superhydrophobicity, and UV stability. This scalable solution offers energy-free fruit cooling, reducing postharvest losses while maintaining quality and safety.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3750-6
SnSe is a promising thermoelectric material for medium-temperature applications due to its ultralow lattice thermal conductivity. However, the poor electrical conductivity of n-type polycrystalline SnSe significantly hinders its practical application. Here, we propose a dual-functional strategy employing InBr3 doping to synergistically enhance electrical transport while suppressing lattice thermal conductivity. For the first time, we demonstrate the successful construction of a Br-enriched conductive network within the SnSe matrix. The incorporation of In3+ and Br− introduces high-density charge carriers, while Br forms percolative conductive networks, resulting in a remarkable enhancement of carrier mobility to ~20.64 cm2 V−1 s−1. Simultaneously, the lattice thermal conductivity is substantially reduced to ~0.25 W m−1 K−1 through the formation of multi-scale defects, including dislocations and Br-rich nanowires, which effectively enhance phonon scattering. As a result, we achieve a peak figure of merit of ZT ~1.41 at 823 K, with an average figure of merit of ~0.42 over the temperature range of 323–823 K. This work provides a universal paradigm for decoupling electron-phonon interactions in thermoelectric materials, offering new insights for the optimization of thermoelectric performance.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510039
The shipping industry's carbon emissions have drawn increasing attention. This study quantifies the carbon footprint of ship supply chains across their life cycle to identify key emission stages and reduction potentials, promoting green transformation. Based on life-cycle theory and using process analysis, a carbon footprint assessment model was constructed covering raw material acquisition, construction and assembly, transportation and distribution, and scrapping and recycling. The model was applied to a case ship, followed by multi-scenario and sensitivity analyses. Results show that the transportation and distribution stage is the dominant source of positive emissions, accounting for 88.73% of the total, while the scrapping and recycling stage provides a carbon offset benefit of 6.77%. Among five emission reduction scenarios—low-carbon materials, green energy, green logistics, circular economy, and comprehensive low-carbon—the reduction efficiencies are 2.02%, 0.06%, 18.44%, 0.42%, and 20.95%, respectively, indicating that green logistics is the core pathway for decarbonizing ship supply chains. Under the green logistics scenario, optimizing the LNG carbon emission factor yields more significant reduction effects. This study provides a life-cycle perspective on the carbon footprint structure of ship supply chains, offering theoretical references for identifying key reduction links and optimizing low-carbon technology pathways.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506064
To address the challenges of high salinity, recalcitrance, limited mass transfer, and coating detachment in traditional anodes for textile wastewater treatment, a porous RuO2@r-TiO2 nanotube array (NTA) anode was fabricated via anodic oxidation, electrochemical reduction, and thermal decomposition. A flow-through electrochemical oxidation system was constructed using this anode and a graphite felt cathode. The material's morphology and physicochemical properties were characterized by SEM, XRD, and XPS. Congo red (CR) was used as a model pollutant to evaluate degradation performance under various conditions. Optimal conditions were identified as current density 5 mA·cm−2, permeate flux 480 L·(m2·h)−1, initial CR concentration 0.15 mmol·L−1, and NaCl concentration 75 mmol·L−1. Under these conditions, the system achieved 91% decolorization within 20 min and 82% mineralization within 60 min. Mass transfer tests showed a rate constant of 2.23×10−4 m·s−1 in flow-through mode, three times higher than conventional mode, with active chlorine and H2O2 production increased by 32.8% and 66.7%, respectively. Radical quenching experiments indicated that singlet oxygen (1O2) was the primary reactive species. The degradation mechanism was proposed based on quenching and UV spectral analysis. The system achieved >90% decolorization for five typical dye pollutants with an energy consumption of only 0.16 kWh·m−3. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed long-term stability. These findings provide theoretical support for applying electrochemical advanced oxidation to high-salinity textile wastewater.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510084
The rapid expansion of lithium battery industries has elevated lithium resources to strategic importance, yet lithium extraction generates 8–10 tons of slag per ton of lithium salt, with complex heavy metal content and high leaching risks. This study improves conventional alkali activation by employing a composite activator and multi-stage thermal assistance to achieve self-solidification of lithium slag, simultaneously immobilizing multiple heavy metals while producing high-strength materials. Under full slag conditions, the mechanical strength of solidified materials ranged from 3.48 to 8.25 MPa; after optimization, strength increased by 137.07%. Average immobilization rates for various heavy metals rose from 97.26% to 99.77%. In simulated acidic, alkaline, neutral, high-salt, acid rain, and leachate environments, efficient immobilization was maintained, with leachate concentrations below regulatory limits. The improved activator and thermal process reduced structural defects, promoted formation of the key Si-O-Al framework, and ensured structural integrity, enhancing both mechanical strength and heavy metal immobilization. The cost of slag solidification was approximately 185–200 CNY per ton, significantly lower than conventional methods, with low energy consumption, no high-temperature calcination, and reduced equipment and reagent requirements, supporting scalability.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0031
The high-temperature behavior of biomass ash critically influences gasifier operational efficiency. This study investigates the differential high-temperature behaviors of corn straw ash (CSA) and wheat straw ash (WSA) using an intelligent ash fusion analyzer, high-temperature rotating viscometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM-EDS, and FactSage thermodynamic simulations. Both ashes contain high K2O (>30%) and exhibit flow temperatures below 1300 °C. Despite higher K2O and lower SiO2, CSA exhibits a higher flow temperature (1241 °C) than WSA, attributed to elevated CaO (10.39%) and MgO (7.33%) that promote formation of high-melting silicates (K2MgSiO4, K2Ca2Si2O7, CaSiO3). In contrast, WSA with lower CaO (4.92%) and MgO (2.82%) tends to form low-melting potassium silicates. At high temperatures, both slags are typical crystalline slags, with viscosity rising sharply below a critical temperature. For CSA, rapid nucleation and coarsening of silicate crystals (e.g., KAlSiO4 grain size increases from 20.5 nm at 1350 °C to 192.9 nm at 1050 °C) cause abrupt viscosity increase. For WSA, a high P2O5 content (10.05%) induces a 'chemical dilution effect', leading to persistent KAlSiO4 during cooling and elevated viscosity, especially at the final cooling stage. This study elucidates how ash chemical composition governs high-temperature phase equilibrium and non-equilibrium kinetics, thereby macroscopically affecting ash fusion and rheological behavior, providing a theoretical basis for deeper understanding of biomass ash high-temperature characteristics.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025081103
Nitrous acid (HONO) is a critical precursor of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in the atmosphere, influencing oxidative capacity and secondary pollutant formation. However, model simulations often underestimate HONO concentrations, and its role in nitrate formation remains unclear. This study investigates a typical winter haze episode in Guangzhou (January 2021, peak PM2.5: 243.0 μg·m−3) using observational data and a box model to quantify HONO sources and assess their impact on ·OH and particulate nitrate. HONO concentrations increased from (1.0±1.0) μg·m−3 during clean periods to (9.2±3.8) μg·m−3 during polluted periods, while nitrate rose from (6.4±3.4) to (43.3±20.0) μg·m−3 (6.8-fold). Incorporating seven additional HONO sources improved simulated daytime HONO from (0.3±0.1) to (6.5±2.3) μg·m−3, matching observations. Source apportionment showed direct vehicle emissions dominated (49.7%), followed by heterogeneous photosensitized reaction of NO2 on aerosol surfaces (23.0%), ground surface reaction (10.7%), and nitrate photolysis (8.7%). With optimized HONO, simulated daytime ·OH increased from (0.6±0.3)×10^6 to (1.5±0.8)×10^6 molec·cm−3 (1.2-fold), and nitrate production via ·OH+NO2 increased from (3.4±1.2) to (15.3±8.5) μg·m−3·h−1 (3.5-fold). The simulated-to-observed nitrate ratio improved from 21% to 81%. Sensitivity tests indicated that setting nitrate photolysis enhancement to 100 times gaseous nitric acid yielded better HONO and nitrate simulations. This study underscores the importance of refining HONO sources for accurate simulation of atmospheric oxidation and nitrate formation, aiding pollution control strategies.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606017
Against the backdrop of global green transition and tightening resource constraints, China's Dual Carbon Goals and Zero-Waste City initiative have positioned waste valorization as a critical pathway for sustainable development. Zinc, a fundamental metal, faces high external dependence and nearing primary resource limits, making the regenerated zinc industry essential. However, the previous standard YS/T 1093-2015 lagged in classification, technical indicators, and environmental requirements. This paper analyzes the revision to YS/T 1093-2024, which renames the standard to 'Recycled Zinc Raw Materials' and clarifies its role as front-end smelting intermediate feedstock. The new standard establishes a classification system covering six typical zinc-bearing materials, expanding utilization of low-grade complex materials (zinc content 5%-15%). It tightens limits on harmful elements (fluorine, chlorine, lead, arsenic) and introduces moisture control and appearance evaluation indicators, enhancing operability and environmental risk control. Compared with EU standards, it shows systematic improvements in raw material coverage, process adaptability, and environmental risk prevention. The revision is expected to drive the regenerated zinc industry toward intensification, high-value utilization, and clean production, improving resource recycling efficiency and supporting China's zinc resource strategic security and low-carbon development.
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/s40843-025-3859-y
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction is an attractive route to address sustainable energy crises and environmental issues, yet its efficiency is limited by poor charge separation, narrow light absorption, sluggish kinetics, and low CO2 adsorption/activation. Here, a series of Co SA-TT-COF/CdS S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized by integrating Co single atoms (Co SA) decorated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with CdS nanotubes via in situ condensation and post-modification. The TT-COF layer thickness on CdS was regulated to optimize active site density and accessibility. The optimal Co SA-TT-COF/15 wt% CdS heterojunction, with a TT-COF thickness of 50.5 nm, achieved a CO production rate of 14157 μmol g−1 h−1 and a selectivity of 90.9%, among the best COF-based photocatalysts reported. Theoretical calculations, experiments, and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that the S-scheme heterojunction enhances the built-in electric field, optimizes energy levels, narrows bandgaps, extends light harvesting, improves charge separation and transfer kinetics, and lowers energy barriers for CO2 adsorption/activation, directly contributing to superior performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3839-4
Broadband optoelectronic memristors with high computational efficiency and low power consumption are pivotal for neuromorphic computing at the edge. This work presents a Ag/WO3−x:N/ZnO:N/ITO memristor exhibiting dual-modal synaptic plasticity. Electronic synaptic properties emulate biological plasticity, while photoresponse to multiple wavelengths, including simultaneous dual-wavelength stimulation, yields composite photocurrents. Leveraging these characteristics, single- and dual-wavelength artificial vision arrays simulate human visual perception. An artificial neural network integrated with a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) forms a floating-point arithmetic system for object detection. The edge computing system achieves a 103-fold reduction in power consumption, addressing computational power limitations and enabling floating-point operations in embedded neuromorphic deployments. This work advances broadband optoelectronic synapses for efficient, low-power edge computing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4148-3
Biological ion channels exhibit multistate transport behavior beyond simple binary open-closed conformations, enabling dynamic control of neural signaling and transmembrane substance transport. Inspired by this, we synthesized a triphenylamine-ketone donor-acceptor (D-A) type poly(aryl amine-ketone) with multiple redox sites, allowing continuously tunable electrochemical states via hierarchical electron transfer. Combining this polymer with two-dimensional conductive MXene, we constructed a biomimetic nanofluidic transistor. Through side-group tuning to optimize redox matching, the polymer undergoes reversible conformation switching via intramolecular charge transfer at voltages below 1 V. The field-driven conformational changes induce electrostatic attraction, promoting reversible contraction of MXene interlayers. Synergistic coupling of interlayer spacing variation and dynamic interfacial charge rearrangement enables precise hierarchical control of ion flux. The device achieves three switchable ion transport states—closed, partially open, and fully open—with an ion switching ratio of 10 and outstanding cycling stability. Furthermore, synaptic plasticity features emulate fundamental attributes of biological signaling, providing a foundation for bioinspired neuromorphic devices.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510060
Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent is a significant pathway for emerging contaminants (ECs) to enter natural water bodies. This study investigated the removal of ECs by two field-scale gravel-based constructed wetlands: a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (QL-CW) and a surface flow constructed wetland (BL-CW), both treating actual WWTP effluent. The influence of operation mode and wetland plant type on EC removal was examined. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, principal component analysis, and ecological risk assessment, the removal efficiencies and mechanisms for various ECs were explored. In QL-CW, biodegradation was more pronounced, particularly via ammonia-oxidizing bacteria co-metabolism, favoring ECs with benzyl, secondary amine, secondary amide, tertiary amide, halogenated, and carboxyl functional groups. In BL-CW, electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interactions were more significant, with plant and root-microorganism uptake and adsorption playing key roles. Surface flow mode achieved significantly higher removal of antibiotics (45.3% vs. 34.1%) compared to horizontal subsurface flow, while no significant differences were observed for non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals (66.6% vs. 64.4%) and pesticides (49.8% vs. 34.2%). Planting Cyperus alternifolius (windmill grass) was more beneficial for antibiotic removal (43.6% vs. 30.1%) than planting Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach). The wetlands effectively reduced the ecological risks of most ECs to marginal levels. This study provides insights into the deep treatment of ECs in WWTP effluent by constructed wetlands.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025032006
A thiol-functionalized Ti3C2Tx (SH-Ti3C2Tx) material was synthesized via chemical bonding of dithiothreitol (DTT) onto Ti3C2Tx MXene for the adsorptive removal of As(III) from water. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed a typical two-dimensional layered structure with DTT covalently attached. The adsorption of As(III) on SH-Ti3C2Tx followed the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating monolayer adsorption. At pH 7, the maximum adsorption capacity reached 55.6 mg·g−1, which is 2.8 times higher than that of pristine Ti3C2Tx (20 mg·g−1). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that As(III) uptake primarily occurred via formation of As–S bonds. To enable continuous treatment, SH-Ti3C2Tx was loaded onto melamine sponge via electrostatic interactions to fabricate a flow-through adsorption column (SH-Ti3C2Tx@MS). This column achieved removal efficiencies of 99.5% for both high (100 mg·L−1) and low (100 μg·L−1) As(III) concentrations, reducing effluent As(III) to below the World Health Organization guideline of 10 μg·L−1. The spent column could be regenerated using 1 mol·L−1 NaOH solution, retaining over 80% of its initial removal efficiency after five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. The SH-Ti3C2Tx material demonstrates significant potential for efficient and reusable removal of As(III) from contaminated waters.
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/s40843-025-4079-4
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/s40843-025-4012-4
Stimuli-responsive fluorescent hydrogels, owing to their tunable optical properties and unique smart response characteristics, have significant potential in encryption applications and information security. However, most current systems are limited to single-stimulus responsiveness and lack the capability for programmable information erasure or multi-modal dynamic synergy. Hence, we propose a multi-stimuli-responsive phase-change hydrogel incorporating aggregation-induced emission hydrophobic carbon dots (AIE-HCDs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-cellulose network, demonstrating dynamic fluorescence chromism under various external triggers. The hydrogel exhibits solvent-exchange-triggered fluorescence color changes from blue to red, enabled by the concentration modulation of AIE-HCDs through the exchange between PEG and water. Additionally, the temperature-induced phase transition of PEG from crystalline to molten state modulates the aggregation and dispersion of AIE-HCDs, thereby enabling dynamic fluorescence color changes. The phase transition further confers excellent shape-memory behavior and adjustable mechanical properties, with the tensile modulus varying from 6.28 MPa in the molten state to 36.23 MPa in the crystalline state, while maintaining high transparency (~88% in the molten state). By utilizing micro-contact printing and the multi-stimulus response, an encryption platform enables information to be hidden, selectively read under sequential stimuli (thermal, UV, and solvent), and completely erased upon demand. This strategy demonstrates significant potential for advancing high-level information encryption and anti-counterfeiting technologies.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512052
Constructed wetlands (CWs) with conventional substrates often exhibit limited removal of nitrogen and antibiotics from secondary effluent. This study developed an iron-carbon-manganese ore (Fe-C-Mn) composite substrate CW to enhance simultaneous removal of nitrogen and tetracycline (TC). Under influent TC of 2 mg·L−1 and total nitrogen (TN) of 15 mg·L−1, the Fe-C-Mn system achieved average TC removal of 91.3%, significantly higher than the gravel control (27.2%). TN and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) removals reached 71.7% and 83.3%, respectively, versus 7.8% and 1.2% in the control. Substrate analysis revealed increased surface roughness and synergistic generation of active components (Fe(II)/Fe(III) and Mn(II)), driving autotrophic denitrification and TC biodegradation/chemical degradation. Microbial community analysis indicated reduced overall diversity but selective enrichment of potential TC degraders (e.g., Trichosporon, Bacillota) and denitrifiers (e.g., unclassified_f_Rhodocyclaceae). TC degradation pathways included demethylation, hydroxylation, and ring-opening, ultimately yielding small metabolites. These findings provide theoretical and technical support for enhanced removal of antibiotics and nitrogen from secondary effluent using CWs.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512015
The co-contamination of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in agricultural soils near mining areas poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Conventional stabilization materials often exhibit insufficient performance for Zn, particularly in multi-metal systems. This study synthesized a novel composite biochar (PFMBC) by loading phosphate and iron-manganese oxides onto biochar via phosphoric acid impregnation followed by secondary pyrolysis at 600 °C. The stabilization efficiency of PFMBC was evaluated against pristine biochar (BC) and iron-manganese modified biochar (FMBC) in a soil collected from a lead-zinc mining area (total Cd: 43.77 mg·kg−1, Pb: 3355.94 mg·kg−1, Zn: 1296.57 mg·kg−1). After 60 days of incubation with 5% PFMBC, the DTPA-extractable (bioavailable) fractions of Cd, Pb, and Zn decreased by 73.44%, 90.10%, and 69.33%, respectively, significantly outperforming BC and FMBC. Sequential extraction indicated that PFMBC promoted the transformation of Cd, Pb, and Zn from acid-soluble and reducible fractions to more stable residual fractions. Characterization via FTIR, SEM, and XRD revealed enhanced surface functional groups and the formation of stable mineral phases. The synergistic effects of phosphate precipitation, iron-manganese oxide adsorption, and surface complexation contributed to the superior stabilization, particularly overcoming the challenge of Zn immobilization. These findings demonstrate that PFMBC is a promising amendment for the remediation of Cd-Pb-Zn co-contaminated soils, offering high efficiency and long-term stability.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60655-X
Defect-induced nonradiative recombination critically restricts the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Lewis base additives show great promise in defect passivation, but current screening methods rely heavily on empirical trial and error and lack clear design principles, making it difficult to efficiently discover high-performance candidate materials. Here, we present a machine learning (ML) framework to intelligently screen Lewis base molecules for defect passivation. We trained six ensemble models on a dataset of 146 experimental data points, with Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) yielding the best classification performance (87% accuracy). Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) interpretability analysis subsequently identifies the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy (−7.5 to −6.3 eV), additive concentration (2.5 to 6.5 mg/mL), and simplified molecular backbones (O atom ≤ 2, C atom < 5) as critical design criteria. The ML prediction was experimentally validated: (S)-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid ((S)-PCA) and 2-methyl-1,3-cyclopentanedione (MCPD) (Class Ⅱ) improved PCE by 2.22% and 2.01%, respectively, while 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylbutanenitrile (3-HMBN) (Class Ⅰ) showed minimal gain. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further confirmed the stronger binding affinities and elevated defect formation energies of Class Ⅱ additives. Notably, the champion (S)-PCA device achieved a PCE of 24.05%. This work established an ML-accelerated paradigm for the rational design of defect passivators, bridging data science and photovoltaics.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511011
The high cost of catalysts is a critical barrier to the upgrading and cost reduction of catalytic ozonation technology. This study developed a low-cost, long-life Fe–Mn-based ozone catalyst (FMG) derived from solid wastes (red mud and blast-furnace slag), leveraging iron and manganese components to construct dual active centers. A continuous manufacturing process was achieved by integrating alkali-activated cementitious reactions with disc pelletization via a cascade spray-coating and multi-stage curing technique. Under optimal conditions (ozone dosage 3.5 mg·L−1), the catalyst achieved 81.81% total organic carbon (TOC) removal of phenol solution within 60 min, retaining 87.27% of its initial activity after 15 reuse cycles. Long-term continuous-flow tests over 60 days demonstrated stable TOC removal between 69.44% and 75.46%. The production cost of FMG was 1,351.44 CNY·t−1, and the unit TOC removal cost was only 0.06 CNY·(g TOC)−1, representing a 78.69%–86.85% reduction compared to commercial catalysts (0.30–0.48 CNY·(g TOC)−1). This work provides a theoretical and technical foundation for cost-effective catalytic ozonation and high-value conversion of bulk solid wastes.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026021203
Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) are widely used pesticides with residues entering the human body via multiple routes, posing potential health risks. Pregnant women are a sensitive population requiring investigation into NEO exposure effects. Based on the Jiashan Birth Cohort, this study measured 12 NEOs (9 parent compounds and 3 metabolites) and three oxidative stress biomarkers (8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, 8-iso-15(R)-prostaglandin F2α, and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine) in urine from 917 pregnant women using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Demographic data were integrated to analyze exposure patterns and associations. Results showed at least one NEO detected in all samples; seven NEOs had detection rates >50%. Median creatinine-adjusted total concentration was 5.613 μg·g−1. Acetamiprid-N-desmethyl (N-dm-ACE) had the highest detection rate (98.59%) and largest concentration proportion (64.2%). Spearman correlation, multiple linear regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression revealed positive associations between oxidative stress markers and NEO exposure. Specifically, 8-PGF and 15-PGF correlated positively with thiacloprid-amide (THI-amid) and dinotefuran (DIN); 8-OHdG correlated positively with thiamethoxam (THM) and sulfoxaflor (SFX). Health risk assessment indicated hazard quotients below 1 for all NEOs, suggesting low health risks. This study provides evidence linking NEO exposure to oxidative stress damage in pregnant women, informing risk assessment for sensitive populations.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4075-1
Titanium alloys, such as Ti-6Al-4V (TC4), are indispensable in aerospace, biomedical, and advanced manufacturing due to their high specific strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, their inherent strength-ductility trade-off and limited stiffness hinder next-generation lightweight structural applications. Traditional ceramic reinforcements (TiC, TiB2, SiC) improve strength but introduce brittleness and interfacial incompatibility, degrading plasticity and fatigue resistance. Graphene, with theoretical strength ~130 GPa and Young's modulus ~1 TPa, offers a promising two-dimensional reinforcement. This review systematically examines graphene-reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs), focusing on the intrinsic relationship between preparation, microstructure, and properties. Key preparation routes include powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing, with challenges in achieving uniform dispersion and controlling interfacial reactions. Recent studies demonstrate that surface modification and process optimization can form an ideal interface structure comprising a nano-TiC layer and residual graphene. Even at low graphene additions, synergistic strengthening mechanisms—load transfer, fine-grain strengthening, and Orowan dislocation bypass—significantly enhance strength, hardness, and wear resistance while preserving ductility. This review consolidates critical theoretical and experimental findings, offering guidance to overcome technological bottlenecks and promote engineering applications of graphene-reinforced TMCs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4036-4
Alkaline water electrolysis is a pivotal technology for large-scale green hydrogen production, yet its efficiency is constrained by sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics at industrial current densities. Here, we propose a synergistic dual-doping strategy to lower kinetic barriers for both Volmer and Heyrovsky steps. A robust amorphous NiCoV nanosheet electrode was synthesized via scalable one-step electrodeposition. In situ spectroscopic and kinetic characterizations reveal that hydrophilic V species optimize interfacial water by disrupting the hydrogen bond network, ensuring rapid supply of free water at the inner Helmholtz plane. Co dopants modulate electronic structure to facilitate electron transfer and optimize intermediate adsorption energetics. The NiCoV electrode requires an ultralow overpotential of 253 mV at -400 mA cm−2, surpassing most Pt-based catalysts, and maintains stability for over 200 h. Industrial validation in a scaled-up electrolyzer demonstrates a cell voltage of 1.89 V at 400 mA cm−2, achieving energy savings of 0.12 kWh m−3 H2 compared to commercial benchmarks. This translates to annual electricity savings of 1.33 × 10^6 kWh for a medium-scale demonstration project, highlighting immense potential for sustainable industrial applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4007-x
Hydrogels, with their hydrophilicity, flexibility, and environmental friendliness, are highly desirable for moisture-electric generators (MEGs) that harness ubiquitous moisture to generate electrical energy. As the active material layer in MEGs, hydrogels play a crucial role in absorbing atmospheric moisture and converting chemical potential energy into electricity. However, the relatively low output current of the device and the instability of hydrogels pose challenges to the development of high-performance hydrogel-based MEGs. Herein, we introduce a straightforward, feasible, cost-effective, and versatile two-step solvent displacement strategy to overcome the barrier associated with the development of MEGs. Through tunable solvent interactions of glycerol and water, the moisture absorption capability and stability of the hydrogel can be improved, while promoting favorable ion migration. Such an effective processing route not only significantly boosts the output performances but also greatly improves the long-term durability of hydrogel-based MEGs. Notably, the current output and power density of the treated MEGs can increase by up to two orders of magnitude. The mechanisms behind the intriguing observation are investigated by various characterizations and theoretical calculations. This universal strategy holds promise to be extended to various hydrogel-based MEGs. Moreover, the MEGs can be used for energy harvesting, self-powered respiratory monitoring, and non-contact humidity detection. This work offers new opportunities for advancing green energy and self-powered technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4047-0
The proliferation of electronic devices has exacerbated electromagnetic pollution, necessitating advanced electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing materials. In this study, VS2 nanorods were uniformly grafted onto graphene nanosheets (GNSs) via a facile ball milling method, constructing 1D/2D hierarchical VS2@GNSs composites with superior EMW absorption properties. The minimal reflection loss (RLmin) reached -49.83 dB at a thickness of 1.83 mm, while an ultra-broad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.72 GHz was achieved at 1.96 mm. These performances are attributed to enhanced impedance matching and EMW attenuation capacities. Computer simulation technology (CST) full-wave simulations confirmed remarkable radar cross-section (RCS) suppression, with a reduction value of up to 20.38 dB m2 compared to a metallic substrate. This work provides theoretical and experimental guidance for designing high-performance stealth materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4162-0
The urea oxidation reaction (UOR) offers a low-energy pathway for hydrogen production via water electrolysis, but Ni-based catalysts suffer from Ni self-oxidation reaction (NSOR) that wastes energy and poisons active sites via strong CO2 adsorption. Here, we design MoN/Ni heterostructures to optimize the electronic structure of Ni sites, suppressing NSOR. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirm the formation of electron-rich Mo and electron-deficient Ni active pairs. In-situ spectroscopy, electrochemical tests, and density functional theory calculations reveal that electron-rich Mo sites enhance urea adsorption, while electron-deficient Ni sites prevent NSOR, facilitating urea activation, intermediate conversion, and CO2 desorption. The synergistic effect yields a current density of 100 mA cm−2 at only 1.39 V vs. RHE in 1 M KOH + 0.33 M urea, outperforming many NiOOH-based catalysts. This work introduces a novel high-performance catalyst with electron-rich/electron-deficient active pairs for efficient UOR.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4096-7
Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanomaterials exhibit exceptional properties but suffer from severe aggregation due to undesirable surface characteristics, limiting their application in polymer nanocomposites. Existing covalent functionalization methods often compromise between time efficiency, energy consumption, and structural integrity. This study presents a rapid, room-temperature catalytic grafting strategy using tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (B(C6F5)3) to functionalize h-BN nanoflakes bearing edge hydroxyl groups. The reaction between B–OH groups and activated Si–H bonds of hydrosilanes proceeds under mild conditions, preserving the structural integrity of h-BN. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm the catalytic feasibility and elucidate two possible reaction pathways: backside-attack and flank-attack mechanisms. The modified h-BN exhibits significantly improved dispersibility in low-polarity solvents and tunable surface properties. This efficient method offers a versatile platform for h-BN surface engineering, facilitating broader practical applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4117-y
Real-time, in situ imaging of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a key reactive oxygen species implicated in various diseases, remains challenging due to limitations of existing probes, such as short emission wavelengths and reliance on external excitation. To address these issues, we developed an H2O2-triggered near-infrared (NIR) chemiluminescence (CL) nanoprobe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics for in vivo inflammation imaging and tumor theranostics. This nanoprobe, denoted as CPPO@TN NPs, was constructed by co-encapsulating a tailored AIE photosensitizer (TN) with strong NIR emission and high singlet oxygen (1O2) generation, a H2O2-responsive chemiluminescent substrate (CPPO), and soybean oil (as a retarder) within F-127 micelles. Upon encountering H2O2, the nanoprobe undergoes a persistent chemically initiated electron exchange luminescence (CIEEL) process that activates AIEgens, resulting in intense NIR chemiluminescence and sustained 1O2 production without the need for external irradiation. Leveraging this mechanism, CPPO@TN NPs achieved highly sensitive and specific imaging of drug-induced liver injury and peritonitis in murine models, with exceptional tissue penetration and signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, the nanoprobe facilitated effective self-luminescent imaging and photodynamic therapy of tumors, significantly inhibiting tumor growth in a 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model. This platform provides an external light excitation-free theranostic strategy for H2O2-associated diseases.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4216-7
Flexible Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells are promising for lightweight and mechanically pliable photovoltaics, yet their performance is limited by severe non-radiative recombination and residual stress. Here, we report a sealed constant temperature (SCT) annealing strategy that simultaneously optimizes the CZTSSe/CdS heterojunction and alleviates stress. Under uniform mild thermal conditions (85°C, 5 h), SCT annealing promotes gradient diffusion of Cd2+ into the absorber, partially substituting Zn2+, which optimizes band alignment, passivates interface defects, and suppresses near-interface CuZn defects. This reduces open-circuit voltage loss and improves fill factor. The flexible device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 13.07%, a significant improvement over the reference (12.1%). The SCT strategy also enhances mechanical flexibility by reducing residual stress. Our findings provide a controllable route to advance both efficiency and flexibility of flexible CZTSSe solar cells.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4196-x
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for safe, low-cost energy storage, but accurate cathode characterization is essential for understanding their electrochemical behavior. This study identifies a critical artifact: routine air-drying of deeply discharged cathodes triggers spontaneous aerial oxidation, which distorts post-mortem analysis. Using NH4V4O10 (NVO) as a model cathode, we show that ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of discharged electrodes reveals only V4+/V5+ signals, with no detectable V3+, implying a theoretical capacity of only 245.5 mAh g−1, yet experimentally measured capacity reaches ~334.5 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. This discrepancy arises because air exposure during sample preparation oxidizes the reduced vanadium states, leading to a self-charging effect that recovers ~83% of capacity. Electrochemical re-oxidation (EO-NVO) is superior to aerial oxidation (AO-NVO), producing a stable, long-range ordered bulk structure with efficient Zn2+ transport channels, whereas aerial oxidation induces only superficial changes and structural disorder. These findings resolve a key analytical inconsistency and reveal a novel capacity-contribution pathway, with direct implications for accurate material assessment and advanced battery design.