SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4354-9
This review systematically examines the synthesis-structure-property relationships of hybrid graphene and carbon fiber reinforced composites, encompassing polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix systems. The hybridization of graphene with carbon fibers addresses the intrinsic limitations of conventional composites, such as weak interfacial bonding and insufficient multifunctionality. The review consolidates recent advances in fabrication strategies, including electrophoretic deposition, layer-by-layer assembly, and precursor impregnation, which enable controlled graphene distribution and orientation. Critical analyses of mechanical, tribological, electrochemical, and anti-ablation properties reveal that graphene addition significantly enhances interfacial shear strength, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity. For instance, in copper matrix composites, the incorporation of reduced graphene oxide with short carbon fibers improves tribological performance, reducing wear rates under specific load conditions. In ceramic matrix composites, graphene-modified C/C-SiC composites exhibit superior anti-ablation resistance, with mass loss rates reduced by up to 30% at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, graphene-coated carbon fiber electrodes demonstrate high specific capacitance and cycling stability in energy storage applications. The review also addresses challenges such as dispersion uniformity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, proposing future directions for industrial adoption. By providing a comprehensive framework, this work guides the design of next-generation hybrid composites tailored for aerospace, automotive, and energy storage sectors.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4199-8
High-entropy borides (HEBs) represent an emerging class of high-entropy materials that have garnered significant attention as ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs). By leveraging the high configuration entropy effect, HEBs stabilize single-phase solid solutions, exhibiting a suite of properties unattainable in traditional binary borides. This review systematically consolidates research progress on HEBs, beginning with theoretical predictions and component design via first-principles methods. It then details typical HEB systems and principal synthesis techniques, including arc melting and spark plasma sintering. The core analysis evaluates the outstanding performance of HEBs, emphasizing exceptional mechanical properties such as ultra-high hardness and excellent fracture toughness, alongside high-temperature friction and wear behavior, and oxidation resistance. Finally, the review outlines application prospects in extreme environments like aerospace and cutting tools, while also addressing current challenges. The paper underscores the potential of HEBs to overcome the hardness-toughness trade-off inherent in conventional ceramics, driven by strong metal-boron hybridization. This comprehensive overview positions HEBs as promising candidates for next-generation thermal and mechanical protection systems, with future research directions focusing on optimizing compositions and processing to tailor properties for specific applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3666-2
Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are promising for low-cost, solution-processed display and lighting applications, yet achieving high efficiency and color purity remains challenging. Here, we report two ionic multi-resonance (MR) emitters with narrowband blue emission for high-color-purity LECs. By covalently bonding an imidazolium functional group into a boron/nitrogen-doped polycyclic skeleton, the emitters retain the narrowband emission and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the MR core while gaining ionic character. The design exploits two types of nitrogen atoms in the imidazolium unit: the pyrrolic N at the 1-position forms a para-B-π-N linkage, elevating excited-state energy levels and blue-shifting emission; the pyridinic N at the 3-position provides a quaternization site, yielding intrinsically ionic emitters compatible with ionic hosts. The emitters exhibit blue emission with narrow full-width at half-maximum of 26–27 nm and high PLQYs of 95%–97% in solid-state films. LECs based on these emitters achieve narrowband blue electroluminescence with CIE coordinates of (0.12, 0.26) and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 4.6%, representing the first narrowband blue LECs based on intrinsically ionic MR emitters. This work demonstrates a viable molecular design strategy for high-color-purity LECs, addressing the long-standing trade-off between efficiency and color purity in this technology.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225162
The effects of tempering temperature on the microstructure, strength-toughness balance, and precipitates of a quenched Cu-Cr-Ni ultra-high strength weathering steel were systematically investigated. The steel was austenitized at 920°C, quenched, and then tempered at 500°C, 550°C, and 600°C. Microstructural characterization was performed using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while mechanical properties were evaluated via tensile and low-temperature impact tests. Results showed that as the tempering temperature increased from 500°C to 600°C, the microstructure transformed from lath-shaped tempered sorbite to a non-lath morphology. The fraction of rod-like cementite decreased, while spheroidized cementite increased, and the size of MC (M = Ti, Nb, V, Mo) precipitates decreased from an average of 12.2 nm to 9.9 nm. Consequently, yield strength and tensile strength decreased from 935 MPa and 958 MPa to 866 MPa and 888 MPa, respectively, whereas total elongation and impact energy at -40°C increased continuously, reaching maximum values of 5.0% and 280 J at 600°C. When tempered at 550°C, the steel exhibited a yield strength of 895 MPa, tensile strength of 921 MPa, elongation of 4.3%, and impact energy of 271 J at -40°C, demonstrating an optimal combination of strength and toughness. This improvement is primarily attributed to the spheroidization of cementite and the uniform dispersion of fine MC precipitates, which alleviate stress concentration, along with the softening of the acicular ferrite matrix during tempering.
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/s40843-025-3787-x
Circumventing the tumor's defensive antioxidant system and achieving precision cancer therapy remain major challenges in high-efficacy tumor treatments. Here, we propose a synergistic strategy integrating non-oxidative physical ablation and oxidative chemical intervention. An acid-responsive self-collapsing nanomineral PCSB is constructed, comprising poly(acrylic acid)-modified calcium sulfite (CaSO3) and a pH-responsive photoacoustic (PA) therapeutic molecule, aza-BDP. In the tumor acidic microenvironment, PCSB decomposes, releasing PA agents and SO2/Ca2+, thereby enabling combined non-oxidative mechanical damage from PA therapy and oxidative chemical damage from SO2 gas and Ca2+ ions. This dual-action approach effectively reduces resistance conferred by tumor antioxidant mechanisms and improves treatment precision. The study presents a synergistic physical-chemical strategy with significant potential for solid tumor elimination.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4005-x
Porphyrins, nature's molecular workhorses, operate at the core of photosynthesis and cytochrome P450 catalysis, offering a blueprint for sustainable energy and environmental systems. Their rigid, conjugated macrocycles provide broad solar-spectrum absorption, long-lived excited states, and efficient charge transfer, making them ideal building blocks (knots) for covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Since 2011, porphyrin-based COFs have been synthesized via boronate ester and imine linkages, with imine-linked variants proving stable for photocatalysis. A critical design challenge is the strategic selection of linker molecules that bridge porphyrin knots and allow functionalization. Benzothiadiazole (BT) and its dimethoxy derivative (BT(OMe)2) serve as electron acceptors, forming donor-acceptor COFs with porphyrin as the donor. Jiang et al. recently reported H2P-BT-COF and H2P-BT(OMe)2-COF, which exhibit strong electronic coupling, short interlayer distances, and extensive hydrogen-bond networks. In H2P-BT(OMe)2-COF, methoxy groups elevate frontier orbital energies, narrow the bandgap, and redistribute frontier orbital density, while hydrogen bonding strengthens interlayer interactions and facilitates ambipolar charge transfer through segregated π-columns. This dual mechanism suppresses charge recombination and enhances overall charge transfer. Notably, these COFs synergistically utilize both electron transfer (ET) and energy transfer (EnT) pathways: H2P and BT units act as independent oxidation/reduction centers for ET, while π-arrays of H2P serve as active sites for EnT. Methoxy groups increase thermodynamic driving force for superoxide radical formation and establish hydrogen-bond networks that promote singlet oxygen generation, cooperatively supporting both pathways. The polar methoxy groups also create one-dimensional channels for efficient reactant delivery. Consequently, H2P-BT(OMe)2-COF demonstrates outstanding performance in selective organic transformations using O2 as oxidant, including oxidative coupling of benzylamine and oxidative condensation of o-phenylenediamine.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026021301
Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) nanoparticles (NPs), generated during the lifecycle of LCO batteries via mechanical wear, pose respiratory health risks. This study systematically assessed LCO NPs' physicochemical properties, ion release, and immunotoxicity using multi-scale models. LCO NPs exhibited irregular morphology, layered crystal structure, good dispersion, and negative surface charge. Cobalt ion release was minimal: 1.03% in deionized water and 0.11% in cell culture medium. In vitro, LCO NPs significantly induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) in macrophages, promoting M1 polarization. In vivo, intranasal exposure caused dose-dependent pulmonary accumulation, alveolar destruction, inflammatory cell infiltration, and elevated cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant enrichment of NF-κB, JAK-STAT, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, implicating these in macrophage activation and inflammation amplification. This multi-level study elucidates LCO NPs' immunotoxicity mechanisms, providing a scientific basis for environmental health risk assessment and management of lithium-ion battery materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3979-3
The escalating prevalence of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infections necessitates novel antibacterial strategies. Here, we engineered lectin B (LecB)-targeted glyco-dots (TFP2F) via self-assembly of a photosensitizer (TFP2) possessing aggregation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capability with fucose-modified tetraphenylethene glycoclusters (TPE-Fuc4), enabling P. aeruginosa-targeted antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and wound healing promotion. Three photosensitizers (TFP0–2) featuring an “A-D-A” electronic structure were synthesized, exhibiting broad absorption bands and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence. Among these, TFP2 demonstrated superior Type-I/II ROS production (including ·OH, ·O2−, and 1O2), achieving potent phototoxicity against P. aeruginosa (MIC80 = 7.5 μM). Self-assembly with TPE-Fuc4 yielded glyco-dots TFP2F that facilitated LecB-mediated bacterial targeting, enhanced bacterial uptake, and significantly reduced the MIC80 to 2.5 μM against drug-resistant P. aeruginosa under light irradiation. In a murine P. aeruginosa-infected wound model, TFP2F treatment combined with light irradiation accelerated wound closure to <20% of the initial area by day 8 (vs. >40% in controls) and eliminated >95% of bacteria by day 2. This work presents a convenient strategy for constructing glyco-dots as a potent functionalized platform for precision, lectin-targeted antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60690-1
Methane cracking driven by electric power holds significant promise in the context of the rapid development of renewable energy. The effects of carrier gas ratio, input power, and inlet gas flow rate on CH4 cracking performance were systematically investigated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. The variation of temperature distribution and reaction energy intensity were also examined. The experimental results indicate that CH4 conversion and gaseous product formation are promoted by increasing the DBD input power or decreasing the inlet gas flow rate. At an input power of 90 W and an inlet gas flow rate of 200 mL/min, the single-pass CH4 conversion reaches 46.6%, with an H2 yield of 23.3%, demonstrating that CH4 cracking is governed by electron induced reactions. While the Joule heating from the inner and outer electrodes is relatively limited. The reaction energy intensity increases as the CH4 conversion decreases. When the inlet gas flow rate increases from 200 to 800 mL/min, the energy intensity rises by approximately 2.8 times, indicating that higher inlet gas flow rates enhance the convective heat transfer and shorten the gas residence time, thereby suppressing deep CH4 cracking. Moreover, BOLSIG+ calculations further reveal that CH4 activation is dominated by electron induced vibrational excitation, in which stepwise energy accumulation drives C–H bond dissociation. The energy transfer and species transformation pathways of overall CH4 cracking process, which comprises electron energy injection, vibrational excitation, stepwise dissociation, radical chain extension, and final product formation, can be summarized into three stages, i.e. methane activation, radical evolution, and product formation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3480-1
Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia (NRA) offers a sustainable route for wastewater denitrification and decentralized ammonia synthesis, but its practical deployment is constrained by sluggish reaction kinetics and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Monometallic Cu electrocatalysts, despite favorable nitrate adsorption and tunable electronic structure, exhibit weak H* adsorption, limiting the hydrogen radical-mediated pathway that suppresses HER at low overpotentials. Here, highly dispersed Cu/WO3 heterojunctions supported on carbon fiber were synthesized via carbothermal shock reduction, which reaches ultra-high temperatures within seconds and prevents active-site accumulation. The optimal Cu/WO3 heterojunction achieves an ammonia yield rate of 158.66 μmol h−1 cm−2 and a Faradaic efficiency of 98.27%. Electron paramagnetic resonance and density functional theory calculations reveal a synergistic mechanism: Cu sites preferentially adsorb NO3−, while adjacent WO3 sites accelerate water dissociation to generate hydrogen radicals (H*), which drive the continuous hydrogenation of nitrate to ammonia. This spatial separation of functions promotes the H*-mediated pathway and suppresses HER. The work establishes a heterojunction design strategy for non-precious-metal NRA electrocatalysts, enabling high-rate, high-selectivity ammonia production under mild conditions.