SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4286-4
Multifunctional nanoplatforms capable of efficiently regulating both emerging and classical cell death mechanisms, thereby overcoming the adaptive resistance of malignant cells to certain cell death modalities, remain a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a new concept for the self-assembly of zinc-cystine coordination networks on curcumin (Cur) drug nanocrystals (DNCs) to construct Cur@PDA@GOx/Zn-Cys (CPGZC) nanoplatforms, enabling enhanced antitumor therapy through multicomponent synergistic modulation of both newly identified disulfidptosis and classical apoptosis. At tumor site, GOx-mediated glucose depletion reduces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) levels, which can impair the intracellular conversion of cystine to cysteine. Combined with the exogenous cystine delivered by CPGZC NPs, rapid intracellular disulfide accumulation strongly activates disulfidptosis. Simultaneously, the reduction in NADPH levels inhibits GSH biosynthesis, augmenting the intracellular ROS levels elicited by Cur DNCs within the CPGZC nanoplatforms. Moreover, the elevated oxidative stress, in synergy with the excessive Zn2+ introduced, aggravates mitochondrial damage, thereby further amplifying apoptosis. Consequently, the synergistic modulation of disulfidptosis and apoptosis induces a potent antitumor response, as validated by comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations. This study opens new avenues for the development of multifunctional nanoplatforms for enhanced cancer therapy through the effective integration of both emerging and classical cell death mechanisms, which may serve as a promising strategy to advance our comprehension of synergistic utilization of various cell death mechanisms and combat with complex cancers.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4405-9
Conventional metal-halide X-ray scintillators, including Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO), Cs(Na)I:Tl, and Lu1.8Y0.2SiO5:Ce (LYSO), suffer from hygroscopic decomposition, high-temperature fabrication, and mechanical rigidity, which restrict their deployment in harsh-environment radiography. This study reports a nontoxic zero-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid copper(I) halide, Cu2I2(C26H36NP)2 (Compound G), synthesized via a room-temperature solution route. The bulky phosphine ligands confer exceptional superhydrophobicity, with the material retaining 91.95% of its initial luminescence after 30 days of water immersion. A flexible scintillator screen fabricated from styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBS) exhibits a light yield of ~32,500 photons MeV-1, a spatial resolution of 19.14 lp mm-1, and a detection limit of 0.8 μGyair s-1. The screen enables stable X-ray imaging under flexible, high-temperature, and underwater conditions, eliminating vignetting and distortion in nonplanar objects. These metrics demonstrate that the superhydrophobic copper(I) halide scintillator addresses the water-stability bottleneck of commercial scintillators while delivering competitive light output and resolution, offering a viable pathway for medical diagnosis, nondestructive inspection, security checking, and space exploration.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4395-x
Electrocatalysts in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries accelerate sulfur species redox reactions and restrict polysulfide shuttling, yet ideal electrocatalysts with remarkable bidirectional catalytic effects remain scarce. This work utilizes iron (Fe) to trigger bidirectional catalytic effects in a cobalt (Co) electrocatalyst, generating a metal alloy-based heterostructure of Co-Co7Fe3 dispersed homogeneously on carbon sheets (Co-Co7Fe3/CS). Electrochemical tests and in situ X-ray diffraction disclose significantly enhanced bilateral catalytic activity of Co-Co7Fe3 compared to bare Co, confirmed by self-discharge measurements. Post-cycling investigation validates protection of the Li metal anode from sulfur species corrosion. The Co-Co7Fe3/CS-modified coin cells deliver an exceptional rate capability of 603 mAh g–1 at 5.0 C and steady long-life cycling for 500 cycles at 1.0 and 2.0 C. Under high sulfur loadings and lean electrolyte conditions, an impressive areal capacity with stable cycling is realized. This work provides valuable insights for designing metal alloy-based heterostructures as advanced electrocatalysts in Li–S batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4242-1
Infected bone defects remain a formidable clinical challenge due to the coupled pathologies of bacterial infection and impaired osteogenesis. Conventional treatments often fail to address the dynamic microenvironment, leading to persistent infection and inadequate bone repair. Here, we report a microenvironment-adaptive hydrogel incorporating a Ti3C2Tx MXene-based coordination nanoreactor that orchestrates an immune-osteogenic cascade. The nanoreactor, constructed by coordinating Fe3+ ions onto MXene nanosheets, exhibits pH- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive release of Fe3+ and MXene, enabling sequential antibacterial and pro-osteogenic activities. In vitro studies demonstrated that the hydrogel eradicated Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (>99.9% killing) within 6 h via synergistic photothermal and chemodynamic effects, while simultaneously scavenging excess ROS to mitigate oxidative stress. Notably, the released Fe3+ ions promoted M2 macrophage polarization, as evidenced by a 2.5-fold increase in CD206 expression, and subsequently enhanced osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), with alkaline phosphatase activity elevated by 1.8-fold and alizarin red staining intensity increased by 2.2-fold. In a rat model of infected calvarial defects, the hydrogel significantly accelerated bone regeneration, achieving a bone volume fraction of 78.4% at 8 weeks post-implantation, compared to 35.2% in the untreated control. Micro-CT and histological analyses confirmed robust new bone formation and complete infection clearance. This study presents a paradigm for designing adaptive biomaterials that integrate infection control and bone regeneration, offering a promising strategy for treating infected bone defects.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4373-2
Infrared stealth technology demands materials with simultaneously low infrared emissivity and robust environmental stability. Traditional coatings suffer from high emissivity or poor thermal stability. Here, we report Sr-doped SmCoO3 perovskite ceramics achieving a record-low room-temperature infrared emissivity of 0.12 in the 8–14 μm atmospheric window. Systematic doping (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) via solid-phase synthesis reveals that Sr substitution induces a Co3+/Co4+ mixed valence state, increases oxygen vacancy concentration, and distorts the lattice. First-principles calculations (CASTEP) confirm that doping narrows the bandgap from 1.8 eV to 0.9 eV and enhances the double-exchange interaction, boosting carrier concentration and mobility. The optimized composition (x = 0.3) exhibits an electrical conductivity of 1.2×10^3 S/cm and a carrier density of 3.5×10^21 cm^-3, leading to strong infrared reflection. The material maintains emissivity below 0.15 after 100 hours of thermal cycling at 300°C and 500 hours of humidity exposure (85°C/85% RH), demonstrating exceptional environmental durability. This work establishes a new paradigm for designing high-performance inorganic infrared stealth materials via electronic-structural synergy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4322-4
Ultrafast scintillators with low-nanosecond emission are essential for next-generation high-rate X-ray and particle imaging. Although Ce3+-activated scintillators inherently exhibit fast response characteristics, conventional Ce3+-doped hosts rarely achieve low-nanosecond ultrafast decay. Here, we report a high-entropy fluoride scintillator (HEFS), Ce:LaGdCaSrBaF12 (Ce:LGCSB), in the form of bulk single crystals. The severe lattice distortion arising from multi-cation disorder induces exciton localization and effectively suppresses exciton diffusion. Through the rapid relaxation of localized excitons, the high-entropy Ce:LGCSB single crystals deliver a decay time of 1.23 ns with a 94.6% fast-component contribution and without any noticeable slow component. Through first-principles calculations, spectroscopic characterization, and transient dynamics analysis, we reveal that the ultrafast response originates from accelerated Frenkel exciton (FE) recombination enabled by the high-entropy environment. This work establishes entropy-engineered fluorides as promising ultrafast scintillator platforms and proposes a general strategy for extending sluggish diffusion effects to the excitonic scale, offering new opportunities for improving scintillation timing performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3658-1
Organic-inorganic hybrid copper(I) halide semiconductors have attracted extensive attention for applications in phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (pc-WLEDs), X-ray imaging, and photodetectors because of their superior photo/radioluminescence, structural diversity, and eco-friendliness. In previous work, a strategy combining coordinated anionic inorganic modules with cationic derivatives yielded highly efficient blue-emitting hybrids, but synthesis complexity limited practical use. Here, we report a facile, efficient, and rapid solution-based ultrasonic treatment method for synthesizing high-performance blue-emitting phosphors using inexpensive, commercially available tetraethylammonium halides (TEAX, X = Cl, Br, I). The synergistic interplay of ionic and covalent bonds in these compounds endows them with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 70% and excellent stability. These materials exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), delivering outstanding performance in pc-WLEDs and X-ray imaging. Their exceptional properties highlight significant potential for use in optoelectronic devices and X-ray scintillators. This work provides an important reference for rapid synthesis of high-performance copper(I) halide hybrid phosphors and paves the way for commercial application.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3687-6
P2-Na0.67Ni0.33Mn0.67O2 (NNMO) is a promising cathode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high energy density and operating voltage. However, severe P2-O2 phase transition at high cut-off voltage causes large volume variation, structural degradation, and rapid capacity decay. Ion doping has been explored to suppress this transition, but achieving both high capacity and stability remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate that precise composition regulation enables both. The designed P2-Na0.67Ni0.28Mg0.03Fe0.04Mn0.55Ti0.1O2 retains high electrochemical active element content while effectively suppressing phase transition, leading to outstanding structural stability and fast charge transfer kinetics. This cathode delivers a high specific capacity of 143.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and maintains stable cycling over 1000 cycles. Our work provides a new strategy for rationally designing high-capacity, stable cathode materials for SIBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3836-8
Flexible energy storage and harvesting devices, as core components of flexible electronic systems, have driven the transformation from external power supply to self-powering and from fixed forms to adaptive configurations, playing a pivotal role in wearable technology and the Internet of Things. MXenes, a class of two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, are promising candidates due to their excellent conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and tunable interfacial characteristics. Specifically, interfacial characteristics—surface energy, surface terminations, and interlayer spacing—decisively influence device performance. This review summarizes the influence of microcosmic interfacial characteristics on macroscopic properties, interfacial regulation strategies, and applications in flexible energy storage and harvesting. It concludes with challenges and perspectives for designing high-performance MXene-based energy devices. Key applications include flexible supercapacitors, batteries, and triboelectric nanogenerators. For instance, pillared Ti3C2 via CTAB pre-pillaring and Sn4+ pillaring regulates interlayer spacing, enhancing ion transport. The review integrates recent advances, such as MXene/nylon scaffolds for dendrite-free zinc anodes and MXene-bonded hard carbon films for sodium/potassium storage, demonstrating improved cycling stability and rate capability. The interfacial engineering strategies discussed provide a roadmap for overcoming stacking issues and achieving high energy density and mechanical robustness.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507059
Anaerobic digestion sludge (ADS) contains recalcitrant organic matter and exhibits poor dewaterability, posing challenges for disposal. This study evaluated the immobilization of white rot fungi (WRF) on four carriers—polyvinyl alcohol, cotton thread, wood chips, and sodium alginate—for ADS treatment. Cotton thread immobilization yielded the earliest and most sustained enzyme activity, highest biomass retention, and minimal biomass loss. WRF treatment achieved a 10.09% removal of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and significantly disrupted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), selectively degrading soluble EPS. To maintain fungal activity, periodic carrier replacement was required. Compared to the control, the experimental group showed an 8.9 mg·L−1 reduction in total protein and polysaccharide content in soluble EPS, a 27.33% decrease in capillary suction time (CST), and improved sludge dewaterability. These results demonstrate the potential of WRF for ADS treatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3930-3
Methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr3) single crystals (SCs) are promising for room-temperature gamma-ray and X-ray detection, but scaling their size often compromises crystal quality. Here, we report a strategic precursor stoichiometry engineering approach to grow inch-sized, high-quality MAPbBr3 SCs via a constant-temperature evaporation method. We show that constructing a robust electrical double layer through organic cation modulation effectively stabilizes the colloidal precursor. This is achieved by synergistically suppressing MA+ deprotonation while promoting MA+ adsorption as counterions on the [PbBrn]2−n complexes, which collectively strengthens interparticle repulsion and raises the nucleation barrier. This multifaceted approach yields MAPbBr3 SCs with lateral dimensions up to 2 inches and an exceptional X-ray diffraction rocking curve full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.0093° at the (002) face. Consequently, the SCs enable spectroscopic-grade gamma-ray detection, achieving energy resolutions (ER) of 8.4% for the 57Co source (122 keV) and 11.1% for the 137Cs source (662 keV), along with a high X-ray sensitivity of 1.65 × 10^4 μC Gy−1 cm−2. This work paves the way for the practical application of MAPbBr3 SCs in high-performance gamma-ray and X-ray detection.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61103-1
Flexible pressure sensors that simultaneously achieve high sensitivity, mechanical strength, and long-term stability remain challenging, particularly for biomass-derived carbon aerogels that are intrinsically brittle and prone to structural collapse. Here, we report a bidirectionally frozen carbon aerogel reinforced with tetrapod ZnO whiskers (T-ZnOWs) for high-performance pressure sensing. The aerogel is composed of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (NCs), and T-ZnOWs, which are reorganized into a mechanically stable, parallel lamellar structure via bidirectional freezing. T-ZnOWs act as rigid interlayer pillars, bridging adjacent carbon lamellae to form a 'layer-support' structure that enables efficient directional stress transfer, suppresses interlayer slippage, and promotes cooperative deformation. The nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets introduce defect-rich conductive paths, enhancing piezoresistive response. Due to modulus mismatch between the supports and carbon layers, applied stress concentrates at layer/support interfaces, generating localized high-stress regions that amplify electrical signal changes. The aerogel is infiltrated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to form a conformal elastic encapsulating layer, improving durability. The resulting sensor exhibits a high gauge factor of 34.4, an ultrahigh sensitivity of 248.41 kPa−1 over a broad pressure range (0–19 kPa), fast response (24 ms) and recovery (69 ms) times, and stable operation over 5000 loading–unloading cycles. The sensor reliably detects physiological signals and joint motions, demonstrating potential for wearable and intelligent sensing applications. This work provides a strategy to improve the mechanical reliability and sensing performance of biomass-derived carbon aerogels.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61108-0
Adipic acid is a key monomer for nylon-6,6 and nylon-6, yet its industrial production via nitric acid oxidation of KA oil suffers from high energy consumption and N2O emissions. This study reports a green catalytic system for one-pot oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid using a Cu/Cu2O@C composite catalyst derived from wood chips. During pyrolysis, wood chips serve as both carbon support precursor and in-situ reducing agent, converting Cu2+ into Cu/Cu2O active species. The abundant defects in biomass carbon form strong coordination interactions with copper, regulating the electronic distribution of active sites and enhancing catalytic performance. Under optimized conditions (100 °C, 12 h), the Cu/[email protected] catalyst achieves a cyclohexane conversion of 19.36% and an adipic acid selectivity of 73.28%. Mechanistic studies reveal that the electronic interaction between the carbon support and copper species strengthens adsorption of cyclohexanone, promoting selective formation of adipic acid. The reaction follows a free radical chain mechanism involving hydroxyl and alkyl radicals. This work provides a viable strategy for developing eco-friendly, low-cost, and high-efficiency catalytic materials for industrial adipic acid synthesis.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60647-0
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting offers a direct route to convert solar energy into clean hydrogen fuel. CuBi2O4, a p-type semiconductor with a bandgap of 1.5–1.8 eV, exhibits visible-light responsiveness and good stability, yet its performance is limited by high interfacial resistance and severe charge carrier recombination. This study introduces a CuO interlayer between fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and CuBi2O4 to construct CuO/CuBi2O4 photocathodes, aiming to improve interfacial charge transfer. The optimized CuO/CuBi2O4-200 photocathode achieved a photocurrent density of −1.71 mA/cm² at 0 V vs. RHE, more than 3.5 times that of bare CuBi2O4. Incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) at 365 nm reached ~13%, and the maximum applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) was 0.17%. Water splitting experiments yielded 2.05 μmol/cm² of hydrogen, significantly surpassing the unmodified photoelectrode. Mechanistic studies indicate that the CuO layer establishes favorable band alignment, promotes hole transport toward the FTO substrate, and suppresses interfacial carrier recombination. This work demonstrates a simple and efficient interfacial engineering strategy, offering insights for the design of high-performance semiconductor-based PEC photoelectrodes.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605003
Dark fermentation offers a sustainable route for hydrogen production, yet its yield is often limited by inefficient electron transfer and low microbial metabolic activity. This study engineered a mixed microbial biohybrid system incorporating Fe2O3 nanoparticles to overcome these bottlenecks. At an optimal Fe2O3 concentration of 300 mg/L (S300), the hydrogen yield reached 2.94 mol H2 per mol glucose, equivalent to 73.5% of the theoretical maximum and 1.59 times higher than the control (S0). Mechanistic analyses revealed that Fe2O3 nanoparticles stimulated microbial metabolism, as evidenced by a 4.09-fold increase in ATP content and a 1.30-fold rise in total protein concentration. Hydrogenase and dehydrogenase activities were enhanced by 24.62% and 63.11%, respectively, while electron transfer system activity increased by 3.44-fold, accompanied by a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance. Notably, the gradual release of Fe2+ ions from Fe2O3 reduction by dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria (DIRB) was identified as a key factor in stimulating enzyme activity and electron transfer. Microbial community analysis showed that the relative abundance of Clostridium, a key hydrogen-producing genus, increased by 9.75 percentage points to 42.60% in S300. This study demonstrates that Fe2O3-based biohybrids offer a promising strategy to enhance dark fermentation hydrogen production, providing both performance improvements and mechanistic insights into nanomaterial-microbe synergies.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025100102
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants of concern in China, and drinking water is a major exposure pathway. This study investigated 17 PFAS in surface water from 12 drinking water sources along the Hubei section of the Yangtze River mainstream during dry, normal, and wet seasons. Total PFAS concentrations ranged from 10.84 to 41.05 ng/L (dry), nd to 62.60 ng/L (normal), and 6.77 to 29.00 ng/L (wet). Predominant compounds were PFBS, PFOA, PFHxA, PFBA, and PFOS. Lake-type sources exhibited significantly higher concentrations than river-type sources, and dry and normal seasons showed higher levels than wet season. Compared to other Chinese sources, PFAS levels in Hubei were moderate, with fluorochemical plant inputs and population density as likely influencing factors. Ecological and health risk assessments indicated acceptable risks. In four selected water supply systems, PFAS distribution from source to tap was examined; PFOA, PFBA, PFHxA, and PFBS were dominant, and secondary water supply did not significantly introduce or remove PFAS. Health risks from tap water were within acceptable limits.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510029
Low hydrolysis efficiency is a core bottleneck in anaerobic digestion (AD) of lignocellulosic agricultural residues, limiting methane production and resource utilization. This study optimized thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP) of corn straw (CS) using response surface methodology (RSM) to enhance methane yield. The optimal conditions were determined as solid-to-liquid ratio of 51.0–57.5 mg·mL−1, pretreatment time of 74–81 min, and temperature of 182.5–197.5 °C. Under the optimal combination (52.3 mg·mL−1, 78.4 min, 191 °C), cumulative methane yield increased from 218.0 to 362.9 mL·g−1 VS, a 66.7% improvement over untreated CS. Characterization via XRD, FTIR, and SEM revealed that THP disrupted the lignocellulosic structure, reducing lignin content from 21.5% to 8.3% and crystallinity index (CrI) from 70.83% to 61.95%. Inhibitory derivatives generated during THP included furfural (1.69 mg·mL−1), 5-methylfurfural (2.44 mg·mL−1), and phenol (23.14 mg·L−1), with a theoretical combined inhibition rate of 7.26%. The promotion effect on methane production (66.7%) far exceeded the theoretical inhibition (7.26%), indicating that THP under optimized conditions is effective and environmentally controllable. This study provides a systematic framework for optimizing THP parameters to maximize methane production from agricultural residues.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60624-4
Para-xylene (PX) is a critical chemical feedstock for producing polyesters, plastics, and fibers, with China's 2024 consumption reaching 40 million tons (63% of global total) and an import dependency of 17%. Conventional naphtha-based routes face feedstock security and cost volatility, prompting interest in syngas conversion. This review systematically examines recent catalyst developments for direct syngas-to-PX-rich aromatics, focusing on three systems: Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalyst/zeolite coupling, methanol synthesis catalyst/zeolite synergy, and dual-engine/zeolite catalysis. Critical parameters such as active component electronic structure, promoter effects, and zeolite pore topology are analyzed to reveal governing principles of activity, selectivity, and stability. Reaction mechanisms via olefin, methanol, and dual-intermediate pathways are explored. Current bottlenecks include coordinated optimization of activity and stability, and unclear regulation of PX selectivity. Future research directions are proposed to address these challenges.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025032601
This study investigated the pollution characteristics of chlorate and perchlorate in tea from Anhui region and assessed the health risks associated with tea consumption. A total of 132 tea samples, including green tea (n=89), black tea (n=30), yellow tea (n=10), and white tea (n=3), were collected from major tea-producing areas. Chlorate and perchlorate levels were quantified using isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Chlorate was detected in 15.9% of samples, with concentrations ranging from not detected to 0.040 mg·kg−1, and no samples exceeded the regulatory limit. Perchlorate was detected in 100% of samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.011 to 1.611 mg·kg−1, and 2.3% of samples exceeded the limit. Pollution characteristics analysis revealed that perchlorate levels were significantly correlated with tea type and geographical origin, with environmental contamination in tea-growing areas being the primary determinant. A significant positive correlation was also observed between chlorate and perchlorate levels. Health risk assessments were conducted for the general tea-consuming population, sub-groups loyal to specific tea types (green and black tea), and sub-groups preferring local tea from high-pollution regions (Lu'an City and central Anhui). Assessments were based on mean and 95th percentile (P95) exposure levels. For chlorate, the maximum hazard quotient (HQ) was 0.003, far below 1, indicating negligible risk. For perchlorate, all HQ values were below 1, regardless of tea type or region, based on both mean and P95 levels, using the Chinese provisional tolerable daily intake (tTDI). However, perchlorate contamination in central Anhui, particularly Lu'an City, warrants continued monitoring due to elevated levels and occasional exceedances.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607005
To optimize municipal sludge incineration and enhance disposal efficiency, sludge from the First Sewage Treatment Plant in Chengdu was analyzed via synchronous thermal analysis (TG-DTG-DSC) in air at 20 K/min. The combustion process comprised four stages: moisture evaporation (35–150 °C), volatile combustion (150–400 °C), fixed carbon combustion (400–600 °C), and burnout (600–1000 °C). Ignition and burnout temperatures were 220.7 °C and 605.9 °C, respectively, with a comprehensive combustion characteristic index of 6.32×10⁻⁸ %²/(min²·K³), indicating good stability. Kinetic analysis using Coats-Redfern (CR) integral and Achar-Brindley-Sharp (ABS) differential methods showed deviations below 15%, confirming CR reliability. Moisture evaporation and volatile combustion followed first-order models (F1) with activation energies of 52.24 and 48.81 kJ/mol, while fixed carbon combustion and burnout followed second-order models (F2) with activation energies of 192.38 and 102.27 kJ/mol. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH: 49.06, 43.59, 185.94, 95.00 kJ/mol; ΔS: -148.36, -211.63, -30.74, -201.38 J/mol·K; ΔG: 105.76, 176.52, 209.74, 271.04 kJ/mol) revealed negative entropy and positive Gibbs free energy across all stages, indicating external energy dependence, with the highest demand in the burnout stage. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing incineration process parameters and energy recovery.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3892-2
Single-atom co-catalysts on semiconductor substrates offer a cost-efficient route to enhance photocatalytic performance with minimal precious metal loading. However, precise tuning of local coordination environments and construction of efficient single-atom co-catalysts remain challenging for overall water splitting. Here, we employ an icing-assisted photochemical reduction strategy to anchor atomically dispersed Pt species as hydrogen evolution co-catalysts on Al3+-doped SrTiO3 (Pt SA-STO). The optimized Pt SA-STO exhibits remarkable activity, with hydrogen and oxygen evolution rates of 13.62 and 6.71 mmol h−1 g−1, respectively, and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 2114.5 h−1. We pioneer the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to quantitatively track the temporal evolution of Pt4+ to Pt2+ under continuous irradiation during the icing-assisted photoreduction. Advanced characterizations and theoretical calculations confirm that single-atom Pt co-catalysts facilitate directional transfer and extraction of photogenerated charge carriers, effectively suppressing surface recombination. This work provides insights into designing novel single-atom co-catalysts by deepening understanding of electronic configurations and active sites in photocatalytic overall water splitting.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3946-2
High energy-density lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with rapid intermediate conversion and forbidden shuttle effect require superior electrocatalysts with tunable catalytic activity. In this protocol, binary FeNi3 alloy nanoparticles homogeneously embedded within carbon nanosheets (FeNi3/CNS) are synthesized to regulate the conversions of sulfur species. Time of flight-secondary mass ion spectroscopy reveals a significantly improved catalytic effect of binary FeNi3 alloy compared to bare Ni, which is confirmed by a larger Li2S amount generated during in situ X-ray diffraction measurement. Further anode characterization validates efficient shuttling suppression and good lithium metal protection. In Li–S batteries, electrochemical tests demonstrate a remarkable rate capability of 852 mAh g−1 at 3.0 C, and outstanding long-term cycle at 1.0 C (639 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles). Even under a wide operation temperature range (−15–60 °C), Li–S batteries exhibit stable cycling with high specific capacities under high current rates. Moreover, Li–S batteries using FeNi3/CNS attain a maximum areal capacity of 5.60 mAh cm−2 under ~4.0 mg cm−2 sulfur. This study highlights the advantages of adopting binary or multi-component metal alloys as electrocatalysts and points out the research directions to advance Li–S batteries into practical applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3867-1
The pursuit of atomically thin semiconductors has long promised a new era in nanoelectronics. Among them, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), such as MoS2 and WSe2, have emerged as leading candidates for sub-1 nm transistor channels due to their ability to mitigate short-channel effects, positioning them as promising contenders for sustaining Moore's Law. However, industrial-scale application of these 2D semiconductors remains limited by a fundamental bottleneck: the scalable growth of high-quality single-crystal TMDC wafers. Conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods typically produce polycrystalline films containing mirror-twin domains and grain boundaries, which induce non-uniform carrier scattering and severely degrade electronic performance. Consequently, achieving precise control over grain boundaries and realizing wafer-scale single-crystalline 2D films is essential for the development of next-generation integrated circuits and high-performance electronic devices. Very recently, Wang and his collaborators reported a universal and robust epitaxial strategy that realizes wafer-scale growth of single-crystal TMDCs, specifically MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, and WSe2 semiconductors, on 150-mm wafers for the first time. This remarkable achievement bridges the long-standing gap between laboratory-scale synthesis and semiconductor foundry compatibility, marking a historic milestone in the evolution of 2D semiconductors 'from lab to fab'. The core innovation lies in atomic-scale interface engineering. Conventional c-plane sapphire (α-Al2O3) substrates possess a near-central-inversion symmetric surface, leading to two energetically degenerate, antiparallel orientations of TMDC domains. This symmetry inevitably causes twin boundaries. Wang's team overcame this symmetry constraint by introducing a monolayer of lanthanum (La) to passivate the sapphire surface. The La atoms induce surface reconstruction, reducing the symmetry from P3 to P1, and amplify the energy difference between antiparallel domains by nearly two orders of magnitude, thereby enabling unidirectional epitaxial alignment and the elimination of grain boundaries across the entire 150-mm wafer. Using this strategy, Wang's group successfully achieved 150-mm single-crystal wafers of MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, and WSe2 semiconductors grown by both thermal CVD and metal-organic CVD (MOCVD) methods. Wafer-scale second-harmonic generation (SHG), Raman, and photoluminescence (PL) mappings confirmed the excellent uniformity and quality of the films.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512059
Recovery of palladium from Pd-bearing wastewater is economically and environmentally significant. Adsorption is a promising method due to its simplicity, low cost, and high efficiency. In this study, a novel thiol-modified adsorbent (CHT-SH) was synthesized via one-step functionalization of inexpensive chitin (CHT) with thioglycolic acid. At room temperature and pH=2, CHT-SH exhibited an experimental adsorption capacity of 223.67 mg·g−1 for Pd(II), which was approximately 7 times higher than that of pristine CHT (30.6 mg·g−1). Kinetic and isotherm studies indicated that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum theoretical adsorption capacity of 248.89 mg·g−1, suggesting monolayer chemisorption. Characterization (FTIR, SEM, XPS, XRD) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the adsorption mechanism primarily involved synergistic coordination of nitrogen and sulfur atoms, along with electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, CHT-SH demonstrated good reusability, retaining stable adsorption capacity after five adsorption-desorption cycles. Compared to other adsorbents that rely on redox mechanisms and are costly, CHT-SH offers comprehensive advantages. This work provides a cost-effective and efficient adsorbent for Pd(II) recovery from wastewater, offering technical support and theoretical reference for practical applications.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60679-2
Olefin hydroformylation is a pivotal process for synthesizing high-value-added aldehydes, with applications extending from short-chain to long-chain olefins (C6+). Traditional homogeneous catalytic systems suffer from difficulties in separating and recovering precious rhodium (Rh), driving research toward heterogeneous catalytic systems. This review summarizes recent progress in supports for heterogeneous Rh-based catalysts, focusing on the influence of structural regulation strategies of inorganic oxide-supported, porous carbon-supported, organic porous polymer-based, zeolite-supported, and composite-supported catalysts on active site dispersion, regioselectivity, and cycle stability. Key findings include enhanced linear-to-branched (n/i) ratios and turnover frequencies (TOF) achieved through tailored support design. For instance, Rh1/CeO2 with morphology effects demonstrates molecular-level understanding of support effects, while Rh/activated carbon with surface oxygen groups improves catalytic performance in 1-hexene hydroformylation. Porous monophosphine polymers confine atomically dispersed Rh, achieving regioselective hydroformylation. Additionally, Rh-N4 single atoms and Rh clusters dual-active sites on supports yield ultra-high TOF. The review aims to provide insights for rational design of high-performance heterogeneous hydroformylation catalysts, addressing industrial challenges of catalyst recovery and stability.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025041701
Landfill leachate leakage poses a significant threat to groundwater quality, particularly from informal landfills lacking proper containment. This study investigates the redox zoning characteristics of groundwater contaminated by leachate from the TS informal landfill in Southwest China. Based on redox-sensitive indicators and microbial community structure, the spatial evolution of redox conditions along the groundwater flow path was delineated. Results show that from the proximal to distal zones of the contaminant plume, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and dissolved oxygen (DO) increase significantly, while concentrations of Fe2+, NH4+, TOC, and HCO3− decrease markedly. The percentage of NO3− increases, indicating a transition from reducing to oxidizing conditions. Microbial communities shift correspondingly from anaerobic to aerobic populations. The infiltration of leachate introduces substantial reducing substances, creating a reducing environment that gradually oxidizes as dissolved organic matter is depleted. The plume is sequentially divided into sulfate reduction, iron reduction, manganese reduction, nitrate reduction, and oxidation zones. This redox zoning significantly attenuates pollutants, reducing the impact of leachate on groundwater. The findings provide a scientific basis for groundwater pollution prevention and control.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4040-0
High-performance organic second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals face a persistent challenge: molecular designs that enhance hyperpolarizability often crystallize into centrosymmetric or nonpolar arrangements, suppressing bulk second-order response, while simultaneously reducing optical bandgaps, enforcing a trade-off between nonlinearity and transparency. We report a chirality-driven polar lattice engineering strategy that couples molecular asymmetry with directional intermolecular interactions to promote polar ordering. A binaphthyl-based chromophore (S-3) crystallizes in the polar space group P2₁, exhibiting strong second-harmonic generation (~3.53 × KDP), wide transparency (3.91 eV), phase-matchable birefringence (Δn = 0.15), high laser damage threshold (742.6 MW cm⁻²), and thermal stability up to 210 °C. Theoretical calculations reveal a 69% enhancement in first-order hyperpolarizability (β_tot) relative to the unfunctionalized derivative, with a net intramolecular electron transfer of 0.16 e⁻ from the chiral scaffold to the benzoate acceptor. Crucially, enantiomeric crystals exhibit identical NLO responses, confirming that bulk nonlinearity is governed by engineered lattice polarity, not molecular handedness. This work establishes chirality as an active tool for crystal engineering and provides a general design paradigm for high-performance organic NLO materials.