SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4505-9
Transition metal hydroxides are promising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for alkaline water electrolysis. This study reports Ce-doped Co(OH)2 electrocatalysts synthesized via one-step electrodeposition, where the Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio is precisely controlled by deposition temperature. The optimized Ce-Co(OH)2 catalyst, obtained at 40°C, exhibits an overpotential of 236 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and maintains stability for 200 h. In an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE), the Ce-Co(OH)2 anode achieves a cell voltage of 2.04 V at 1 A cm-2 and operates for over 500 h at 500 mA cm-2. Mechanistic analysis reveals that Ce3+/Ce4+ dynamic electron buffering regulates surface reconstruction: during OER, electron transfer direction reverses (Ce → O → Co), with Ce donating electrons to Co sites to prevent over-oxidation and structural collapse. This work establishes a versatile strategy for balancing surface reconstruction and structural stability in Co-based OER catalysts, providing a foundation for designing high-performance, durable alkaline water oxidation electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4328-2
Laser-driven broadband near-infrared (NIR) light sources are highly desirable for diverse non-visible optical applications. However, conventional phosphor-in-silicone converters will be rapidly invalidated under high-power laser excitation, and the poor structural stability of Cr3+ activated gallate/germanate phosphors makes them prone to interfacial reaction with silicate glass, leading to substantial deterioration in luminescence properties of phosphor-in-glass film (PiGF) converters. Herein, we report an efficient and stable ultrabroadband NIR PiGF with a high internal quantum efficiency of ≈ 94%, a long peak wavelength of 850 nm and an ultra-large full width at half maximum of 300 nm. The detrimental interfacial reactions with glass matrix are effectively suppressed by embedding the Cr3+ activated superstoichiometric MgO·1.75Al2O3 phosphor, which is attributed to the superior high-temperature structural stability of the aluminate spinels. Through effective thermal management by the sapphire plate and further a motor-driven rotating wheel, a high-performance laser-driven light source is further demonstrated, which can deliver high-brightness ultrabroadband NIR light with an output power exceeding 1.1 W, a light conversion efficiency of 26%, and a stable operation for over 15 hours. Our work provides an efficient, stable and cost-effective all-inorganic converter for the development of laser-driven NIR light sources.
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/s40843-026-4476-1
Self-sustained oscillation in soft actuators enables autonomous, untethered robotic locomotion, yet existing light-driven systems suffer from low oscillation frequencies, rapid photothermal degradation, and reliance on external controllers. This work presents a bat-inspired soft robot that converts continuous near-infrared (NIR) irradiation into sustained rotational motion via a coiled MXene-based liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuator. The actuator integrates Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets as photothermal converters within an LCE matrix, achieving a photothermal conversion efficiency of 78.3% and a steady-state temperature of 142 °C under 1.5 W cm−2 NIR (808 nm). The coil geometry induces a self-shadowing effect that generates periodic light exposure, producing autonomous oscillation at 2.7 Hz with an amplitude of 45°. The robot demonstrates a rotational speed of 120 rpm and a specific power density of 3.2 W kg−1, outperforming previously reported light-driven oscillators by a factor of 2.5. Under continuous operation for 10,000 cycles, the actuator retains 92% of its initial oscillation amplitude, with a degradation rate of 0.008% per cycle. The bat-inspired wing morphology enables directional rotation and obstacle avoidance in confined spaces. This platform eliminates the need for external modulation, offering a scalable route to autonomous soft robotics for inspection, environmental monitoring, and micro-manipulation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4321-x
Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes are leading candidates for solid-state lithium metal batteries due to their flexibility, processability, and interfacial compliance. However, the strong crystallization tendency of PEO and limited lithium salt dissociation result in low ionic conductivity and low Li+ transference number, exacerbating concentration polarization and interfacial instability. Introducing metal-organic framework (MOF) fillers into PEO matrices has emerged as an effective route to regulate polymer-chain packing and promote salt dissociation via Lewis acid-base interactions. Yet, most studies focus on cubic ZIF-8, whose saturated Zn coordination environment limits intrinsic Lewis acidity and restricts its ability to immobilize TFSI- anions. Simultaneously, simple physical blending often leaves discontinuous interfacial transport regions in composite electrolytes, so improved salt dissociation does not automatically translate into fast Li+ transport. Here we report a PEO-based composite polymer electrolyte, denoted as PZS, that couples monoclinic ZIF-8 (M-ZIF-8) nanosheets with a thin SiO2 layer. The design combines two complementary functions: the under-coordinated Zn sites in M-ZIF-8 provide strong Lewis acid centers to adsorb TFSI- and promote LiTFSI dissociation, while the hydroxyl-rich SiO2 shell improves compatibility with the PEO matrix and helps construct continuous interfacial Li+ transport pathways. Benefiting from this synergy, the optimized PZS electrolyte delivers an ionic conductivity of 8.3 × 10-4 S cm-1 and a Li+ transference number of 0.57 at 60 ℃, together with an electrochemical stability window of 5.2 V. Li||Li symmetric cells remain stable for over 1200 h at 0.1 mA cm-2, and LFP||Li full cells retain 80% of their capacity after 400 cycles at 0.5 C.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4420-7
Cu2-xSe is a leading p-type thermoelectric material owing to its phonon-liquid electron-crystal (PLEC) behavior, yet the atomic-scale mechanisms governing Cu+ migration remain unresolved. This study employs in situ high-resolution neutron diffraction coupled with maximum entropy method (MEM) analysis to map the temperature-dependent evolution of Cu+ nuclear density in β-Cu2Se and β-Cu1.95Se. At 398–423 K, intra-tetrahedral Cu 8c ↔ 32f <111> hopping emerges, with isosurface values of 0.505 fm Å-3 for β-Cu2Se and 0.484 fm Å-3 for β-Cu1.95Se. Above 448 K, inter-tetrahedral pathways form via Cu 32f ↔ 32f <100> or 32f ↔ 4b ↔ 32f <111> migration, as revealed by line scans along [1̅11̅] up to 723 K. The presence of Cu vacancies (x = 0.05) alters the onset and connectivity of these pathways, directly impacting phonon scattering and electron transport. These findings establish a structural basis for controlling Cu+ mobility, offering a rational route to mitigate Cu precipitation and enhance zT stability beyond 1.5 at 900 K. The work bridges microstructural dynamics and thermoelectric performance, providing critical guidance for defect engineering in superionic thermoelectrics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4490-y
The development of efficient enzyme mimics for CO2 hydration remains a critical challenge for industrial carbon capture. This study reports a bioinspired three-dimensional Zn-coordinated organic framework (Zn-SOF) synthesized via solvothermal assembly of a salen-based ligand with zinc ions. The resulting material exhibits a carbonic anhydrase-like active site with a Zn-N2O2 coordination environment, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Zn-SOF demonstrates a CO2 hydration rate of 3.2 × 10^-3 s^-1 per active site, representing a 12-fold enhancement over the homogeneous Zn-salen complex and approaching 8% of native carbonic anhydrase II activity. The catalyst maintains structural integrity over 10 consecutive cycles with <5% activity loss and operates optimally at 25–40 °C and pH 7.4–9.0. Kinetic analysis reveals a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 28 mM for CO2 and a turnover number (kcat) of 4.1 s^-1, outperforming benchmark Zn-based mimics. The framework's hierarchical porosity (BET surface area: 620 m2 g^-1) facilitates substrate diffusion, while the hydrophobic pore environment enhances CO2 affinity. This work establishes a design paradigm for robust, recyclable enzyme mimics that bridge the gap between homogeneous catalysts and natural enzymes, offering a scalable route for post-combustion CO2 capture.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4309-8
Iridium-doped cobalt oxide nanosheets derived from a ZIF template were evaluated as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). Residual carbon was removed via a post-synthetic treatment to isolate intrinsic catalytic behavior. The Ir0.23Co0.77Ox catalyst exhibited enhanced activity and durability relative to commercial IrO2 in a practical PEMWE device. Potential-dependent, stage-resolved characterization combined with theoretical calculations probed catalyst stability under different operating voltages, revealing degradation mechanisms tied to applied potential. Contact angle measurements showed that the Ir0.23Co0.77Ox membrane electrode assembly (MEA) had water and air contact angles of 126° and 143°, respectively, compared to 126° and 143° for an IrO2 MEA at identical Ir loading, indicating improved wettability and gas release behavior. The work provides a framework for understanding potential-dependent stability in acidic OER catalysts and demonstrates a viable route to reduce Ir loading while maintaining PEMWE performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4342-3
Electron acceptors containing single-bond-linked building blocks offer attractive advantages for organic solar cells owing to their synthetic simplicity and structural modularity. However, achieving backbone planarity without compromising electronic compatibility remains a persistent challenge. Conventional conformational locking strategies based on alkoxy substitution can effectively suppress torsional freedom but often elevate the highest occupied molecular orbital energy level, limiting compatibility with widely used donor polymers. Here, we report a partially fused electron acceptor design that achieves intrinsic backbone planarity through heterocycle selection rather than side-chain-assisted conformational locking. By incorporating a benzodifuran core and furan-thiophene linkages, the resulting acceptors exhibit a near-coplanar backbone geometry as revealed by density functional theory calculations, without the need for electronically perturbing alkoxy groups. Devices based on the optimized acceptor (BDF-1) deliver a binary power conversion efficiency of 12.2%, and further improvement to 19.5% is achieved in a ternary blend with PM6 and BTP-eC9. The enhanced performance is accompanied by favorable morphology, balanced charge transport, and suppressed recombination losses. This work provides molecular-level insight into partially fused acceptor design and demonstrates that heteroatom-guided conformational locking offers a viable strategy for expanding the design space of acceptors with single-bond-linked building blocks while maintaining compatibility with mainstream donor systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4205-8
The global energy crisis and environmental pollution necessitate efficient recovery and utilization of thermal energy resources such as industrial waste heat. Thermoelectric materials, enabling direct conversion between thermal and electrical energy, offer broad application prospects in waste heat power generation and chip cooling. The energy conversion efficiency is determined by the dimensionless figure of merit, ZT = (S^2σ/κ)T, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ is the electrical conductivity, κ is the thermal conductivity, and T is the absolute temperature. Ideal thermoelectric materials require both a high power factor (PF = S^2σ) and low thermal conductivity. However, the strong coupling between electrical and thermal transport parameters makes synergistic optimization challenging. Over the past two decades, strategies such as band engineering, nanostructuring, liquid-like ions, interstitial atoms, phonon softening, and defect engineering have been explored. Among these, entropy engineering has emerged as a novel strategy that achieves synergistic optimization by introducing multiple components to increase configurational entropy. High entropy materials, originating from alloys, are defined as multi-principal element systems with five or more elements in near-equiatomic ratios forming single-phase solid solutions. The molar configurational entropy ΔS_conf = R∑x_i ln x_i, with materials classified as high entropy (ΔS_conf > 1.5R), medium entropy (1R < ΔS_conf < 1.5R), or low entropy (ΔS_conf < 1R). Four core effects are summarized: high entropy effect, lattice distortion effect, sluggish diffusion effect, and cocktail effect. Research has expanded from alloys to oxides, chalcogenides, and half-Heusler compounds. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which lattice distortion in high entropy materials affects electrical and thermal transport, and discusses optimization strategies for thermoelectric performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4206-6
Precise patterning of highly ordered organic semiconductor (OSC) thin-film arrays is critical for next-generation electronics. We report a ladder-like polysilsesquioxane (LPSQ) strategy to synthesize two functional analogs with tunable surface energies and robust dielectric properties. These LPSQ dielectrics, functionalized with alkyl or fluoroalkyl side chains, serve dual roles as gate insulators and patterning layers to guide blade-coating of 2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT). This approach yields highly aligned arrays suitable for three-dimensional integration in flexible electronics. Synergistic combination of dense LPSQ dielectric packing and aligned semiconductor domains leads to excellent organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) performance, achieving approximately four-fold improvement in field-effect mobility compared to conventional silicon oxide dielectrics. Patterned LPSQ dielectrics enable high-resolution C8-BTBT patterning on plastic substrates, supporting 4-inch-scale 3D integration of flexible logic circuits, including inverters (voltage gain >100), NOR gates, and NAND gates. This work provides a scalable route to high-performance, large-area flexible organic circuits.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4112-6
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/s40843-025-3607-9
Enhancing light olefin selectivity and extending catalytic durability remain critical challenges for ZSM-5 zeolites in methanol-to-olefins (MTO) conversion, primarily due to inherent diffusion restrictions along the MFI b-axis and poor coke accommodation. Here, we report a hierarchically single-crystalline ZSM-5 sheet architecture featuring interconnected multiscale porosity and a remarkably reduced b-axis thickness (<50 nm), quantitatively verified by three-dimensional electron tomography. Real-time confocal laser scanning microscopy tracking demonstrated significantly enhanced molecular diffusivity compared to conventional micron-sized ZSM-5 (Micro-ZSM-5). This engineered structure distributes abundant aluminum sites on highly accessible diffusion pathways, achieving an enlarged coke accommodation of 16.31 wt% with a coke deposition rate of 0.59 mg g−1 h−1, only one third of that in Micro-ZSM-5. In continuous MTO operation, the hierarchical ZSM-5 sheet (Hier-ZSM-5-S) maintained an average ethylene and propene selectivity of 63.5% for 22.2 hours (WHSV = 3.6 h−1, T = 480°C), which was 19% higher and 6.5 times longer than Micro-ZSM-5, respectively. This hierarchically shortened b-axis structure establishes a generalizable paradigm for enhanced diffusion and coke accommodation in precisely designed pore systems, applicable to various reactions.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3698-5
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical bottleneck in next-generation sustainable energy systems due to its sluggish kinetics. Developing cost-effective, high-efficiency electrocatalysts requires understanding the dynamic structural evolution at electrode-electrolyte interfaces under operating conditions. In situ techniques are invaluable for identifying active centers and monitoring key intermediates. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in cutting-edge in situ methods for characterizing OER electrocatalyst structure evolution. It provides a brief overview of active motifs and robust structures using multiple in situ correlative techniques, establishing essential structure-performance relationships and updating mechanistic understanding at atomic scale under realistic conditions. Key challenges and perspectives are highlighted to promote rational design of promising electrocatalysts for efficient oxygen-associated electrocatalysis and electrosynthesis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3683-y
Effective management of traumatic hemorrhage requires rapid blood loss control and facile removal of hemostatic materials to minimize secondary tissue damage. We fabricated a strongly adhesive aerogel (OPA) via Schiff-base crosslinking of oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) and ε-polylysine (ε-PL), enabling rapid hemostasis in lethal arterial trauma and on-demand removal via phase transition. OPAs exhibited tunable porosity and rapid blood absorption. Surface hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups promoted strong hydrogen bonding with tissues, blood cells, and plasma proteins, enhancing tissue adhesion and platelet capture/activation. In a rabbit femoral-artery-injury model, OPA4 shortened hemostatic time by ~80% and reduced blood loss to 38% of the blank group. Notably, OPAs retained only 2% of initial adhesion after hydration, allowing gentle removal. OPAs also demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The simple one-step freeze-drying process and tailorable shapes offer scalable production and versatile applications. This study provides a versatile strategy for emergency and surgical hemostasis, combining rapid control of life-threatening arterial bleeding with on-demand atraumatic removal, promising improved patient outcomes and streamlined postoperative care.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3669-1
Halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have advanced rapidly due to their high photoluminescence quantum yield, tunable bandgap, and color purity. However, conventional perovskites exhibit small exciton binding energies, which weaken radiative recombination and limit external quantum efficiency (EQE). Strong spatial confinement strategies, such as thin films, small grains, or quantum-confined structures, have boosted EQE beyond 20% but introduce Auger recombination and ion migration, causing efficiency roll-off and instability. This commentary highlights a novel approach by Xiao et al. (Nature, 2025) that employs weakly space-confined all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskites, synthesized using sacrificial additives hypophosphorous acid (HPA) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). This method yields highly oriented monocrystalline domains exceeding hundreds of nanometers with no observable grain boundaries, contrasting with control films (submicrometre grains with abundant boundaries) and strongly confined systems (~20 nm crystallites with organic ligands). The reduced grain boundaries lower defect density and block ion migration, while controlled crystallization suppresses vacancies and lattice distortions, enhancing carrier mobility and raising the ion migration energy barrier. The strategy achieves record-breaking performance and stability, addressing EQE roll-off and operational lifetime limitations. This approach offers a versatile framework for other all-inorganic perovskite systems, advancing PeLEDs toward practical high-brightness displays and lighting.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(25)61036-5
Large graphene oxide (LGO) sheets offer significant advantages over smaller ones in various applications, yet their production via Hummers-type oxidation of large natural graphite flakes remains challenging due to difficulties in achieving full oxidation and avoiding fragmentation. This study provides the first direct evidence that large graphite flakes (up to 1 mm) can be completely oxidized without fragmentation under static conditions, as revealed by in-situ monitoring. The oxidation process is governed by diffusion of the oxidizer between layers, described by Fick's law, where a high oxidizer concentration gradient increases the diffusion rate. By minimizing the amount of concentrated H2SO4 solvent, we achieved a semi-solid state that elevates oxidizer concentration, facilitating Mn(VII) diffusion and enabling complete oxidation of gram-scale large flakes with significantly reduced reagent consumption. Reaction temperature was optimized to balance graphite oxidation and Mn(VII) self-decomposition. Using this approach, 200-, 100-, and 50-mesh natural graphite were fully oxidized with reduced H2SO4 and KMnO4 usage. After exfoliation, LGO with average lateral sizes of 27.3, 58.7, and 116.2 μm were obtained, respectively, with 100% conversion and yield over 165%. This work not only provides a scalable, cost-effective strategy for LGO production but also advances the fundamental understanding of Hummers-type oxidation.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61072-4
Sodium-ion capacitors (SICs) typically feature a hybrid design, incorporating a battery-type anode that operates by faradaic redox reactions and an activated carbon cathode that functions through electrical double-layer (EDL) adsorption/desorption. However, the kinetics of faradaic processes are inherently slower than those of EDL processes, leading to a fundamental problem known as kinetic imbalance between the electrodes, which hinders the development of high-performance SICs. To address this, we synthesized composites of bismuth nanoparticles in N-doped carbon (Bi@NC) by a high-temperature sintering method. The resulting Bi@NC anode has a specific capacity of 300 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, an exceptional rate capability (maintaining performance at currents exceeding 75 A g−1), and outstanding cycling stability over 12,000 cycles. Three-electrode Swagelok cell tests revealed that this high-rate Bi@NC composite effectively decreases the kinetic gap with the activated carbon cathode, as shown by an analysis of their respective potential swing windows (vs. Na/Na+). This enables the fabricated SIC to achieve a maximum energy density of 115 Wh kg−1, a peak power density of 45,535 W kg−1, and a long cycle life exceeding 8,000 cycles.
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.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507021
The accumulation of heavy metals in soil around municipal solid waste landfills poses potential risks to human health. This study selected a municipal solid waste landfill and monitored the concentrations of eight heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg, Cu, As, Cr) in surrounding soil. The geo-accumulation index method was used for pollution assessment, and a health risk assessment model recommended by the USEPA, combined with Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, was employed to evaluate the pollution status and health risks to nearby residents. Results showed that among the eight metals, Pb, Ni, and Cd exceeded risk screening values at 4.26%, 6.38%, and 4.26% of sampling points, respectively. Geo-accumulation indices indicated overall clean conditions (mean < 0), but slight pollution by Pb, Zn, Ni, Hg, and Cd at some points. Probabilistic risk assessment based on Monte Carlo simulation revealed that for both adults and children, the cumulative non-carcinogenic risk was negligible, while carcinogenic risk was acceptable. However, there was a very low probability (approximately 0.2%) of non-carcinogenic risk for children, and probabilities of unacceptable carcinogenic risk were 0.64% for adults and 3.21% for children. Nickel was the primary contributor to carcinogenic risk, and children faced higher health risks than adults. These findings provide a reference for pollution prevention and health risk management of soil around municipal solid waste landfills.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60600-1
The service life of refractory bricks in the slag tapping hole of entrained-flow gasifiers is a critical bottleneck for long-term stable operation. This study investigated the damage mechanism of high chromia refractories in four commercial coal-water slurry gasifiers by analyzing gasification coal samples and corroded refractory bricks. Slag characteristics, including crystallization and viscosity-temperature behavior, were evaluated. Results revealed that low-viscosity slag induces more severe refractory damage. To mitigate slag crystallization risk, a safe slag tapping temperature range is recommended as tICT−t2.5 when tICT exceeds t25. Interior morphology of corroded bricks exhibited cracks, primarily attributed to molten slag penetration and subsequent reactions with refractory material. SEM-EDS analysis of slag-aggregate and slag-matrix interfaces identified reduction in Cr2O3 content as the earliest damage characteristic. XRD detected no zirconium-containing spinel in cracks, indicating that thermal expansion mismatch between newly formed phases and the refractory matrix drives crack propagation. A damage mechanism is proposed: initial Cr2O3 depletion compromises both matrix and aggregate, facilitating slag ingress and new phase formation, ultimately leading to structural failure. Early detection or prevention of Cr2O3 reduction is essential to prolong refractory service life.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024122101
Bicarbonate and carbonate ions (HCO3−/CO3^2−) are ubiquitous in wastewater and readily scavenge strong oxidants, leading to the formation of carbonate radicals (CO3·−) in radical-based advanced oxidation processes. This study investigated the influence of HCO3−/CO3^2− on the degradation kinetics of sulfamethazine (SMR) in a UV/TiO2 system. The presence of HCO3−/CO3^2− enhanced the degradation rate of SMR by sixfold compared to UV/TiO2 alone. Radical quenching experiments identified CO3·− as the primary reactive species responsible for the enhanced degradation, with hydroxyl radicals (·OH) also contributing. To quantitatively delineate the roles of reactive species and account for water matrix effects, a kinetic model was constructed using Kintecus software. The model accurately predicted SMR degradation over time and the contributions of individual radicals, demonstrating good predictive capability. Application of the model to real wastewater predicted that CO3·− is the dominant radical responsible for SMR degradation. These findings highlight the critical role of carbonate radicals in UV/TiO2 processes and provide a robust modeling framework for predicting the fate of pharmaceuticals in carbonate-rich waters.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024120701
Surface waters contain numerous photoactive substances and low molecular weight carboxylic acids (LCAs). Hydroxyl radicals (HO•) can react with LCAs to generate the highly reducing carbon dioxide anion radical (CO2•−). Excited triplet state dissolved organic matter (3DOM*), a common oxidant in surface waters, may also oxidize LCAs to CO2•−, but this pathway remains unexplored. This study simulated sunlight-driven generation of CO2•− via 3DOM* using 4-benzoylbenzoic acid (CBBP) as a 3DOM* precursor and formate (HCOO−) as a model LCA. Metronidazole (MNZ) served as the target pollutant. Comparative degradation experiments in hν, hν/HCOO−, hν/CBBP, and hν/CBBP/HCOO− systems, combined with electron spin resonance spectroscopy and quenching tests, confirmed that CO2•− generated in the hν/CBBP/HCOO− system was the primary reactive species responsible for enhanced MNZ degradation, originating mainly from 3CBBP* oxidizing HCOO−. Under optimized conditions (8 mmol·L−1 HCOO−, 200 μmol·L−1 CBBP, 10 μmol·L−1 MNZ), 98.2% degradation was achieved within 30 min. Degradation efficiency increased with HCOO− concentration and was pH-independent. Cl−, NO3−, CO3^2−, and low concentrations of HCO3− inhibited degradation, while high HCO3− slightly promoted it. Humic acid (HA) inhibited degradation in a concentration-dependent manner. The system also performed well in real water matrices, suggesting potential for treating micropollutants via reductive pathways.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604001
This study systematically investigated the occurrence, spatial distribution, sources, and ecological risks of 160 pesticides in Dianchi Lake, a typical plateau lake impacted by agricultural activities. A total of 37 pesticides were detected in the water, with total concentrations ranging from 64.2 to 1132.8 ng/L (average 610.0 ng/L). Fungicides, including boscalid (BOS), fluopicolide (FPC), and dimethomorph (DMM), were dominant, contributing up to 65.0% of the total concentration. Spatially, the southern lake region exhibited significantly higher concentrations (672.5 ng/L) than the north, attributed to intensive facility agriculture. Highly hydrophobic pesticides, such as penconazole (PEN), showed a tendency to enrich in bottom layers. Source apportionment identified inflowing rivers and wastewater treatment plant effluents as primary input sources, with average concentrations 7 and 9 times higher than lake water, respectively. Ecological risk assessment revealed that pesticides posed the highest risk to algae, followed by daphnia and fish. Prometryn (PMT) was identified as a high-risk factor for algae, while profenofos (PFF) and carbendazim (CBD) posed potential threats to higher trophic levels. These findings provide fundamental data and technical support for understanding pesticide pollution in plateau lake ecosystems.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604016
River and lake health assessment is an important technical means to evaluate the health status of rivers and lakes, scientifically analyze river and lake problems, and strengthen the implementation of the river and lake head system. Based on the Guidelines for River and Lake Health Assessment (Trial) and the characteristics and actual basin conditions of the lower Yellow River in Henan, this study determined the river health evaluation index system for this reach. Through collection of basic data and special investigations and monitoring, the health status in 2020 was evaluated from four criteria layers: 'basin', 'water', biology, and social service function. The overall score was 83.4, corresponding to a 'healthy' grade. The four criteria layer scores were 73.7, 95.0, 62.1, and 95.5, respectively. The evaluation identified main problems including low aquatic biodiversity, suboptimal shoreline conditions, and pressure on water supply security. Corresponding governance and protection measures were proposed, such as strengthening ecological protection, improving river regulation works, enhancing shoreline management, and upgrading water diversion facilities. The results provide scientific basis for river health management and the implementation of the river chief system in the lower Yellow River.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225200
Phosphogypsum, a by-product of wet-process phosphoric acid production, poses severe environmental and safety challenges due to its massive annual output and stockpiling. This study addresses the urgent need for resource utilization by employing phosphogypsum as the primary raw material, supplemented with ground granulated blast furnace slag, fly ash, and type II anhydrite. Two foaming agents, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and aluminum powder, were used to regulate pore structure, and their effects on ceramsite performance were compared. Under identical preparation conditions, aluminum powder yielded higher 7-day cylinder compressive strength than NaHCO3. Optimal formulations achieved a maximum cylinder compressive strength of 6.5 MPa with a bulk density of 1020 kg/m3, meeting lightweight aggregate concrete strength requirements. Aluminum powder produced closed pores, reducing bulk density to as low as 765 kg/m3, while NaHCO3 generated interconnected pores leading to higher water absorption. XRD, SEM, and BET analyses revealed that strength-contributing phases are calcium silicate hydrate and calcium aluminate hydrate; trace heavy metals (Mo, Ti) hinder their formation, causing structural defects. This work demonstrates a green, non-fired route for phosphogypsum valorization, offering environmental and economic benefits and a pathway for large-scale utilization.
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.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0029
Pingshuo coal ash, characterized by high silicon-aluminum content (Si+Al >85%) and low Si/Al ratio (<1.5), exhibits ash fusion temperatures (AFTs) exceeding 1550 °C, rendering it unsuitable for entrained-flow gasifiers. This study investigates the effect of calcium-sodium composite flux on ash fusibility and mineral transformation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FactSage thermodynamic simulations were employed to analyze mineral evolution, while molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed the underlying melting mechanism. Results show that adding 20% composite flux (CaO/Na2O) lowers AFTs more effectively than equivalent additions of CaO or Na2O alone, indicating a synergistic effect. At a CaO/Na2O ratio of 3:7, the flow temperatures (FT) of two Pingshuo coal ashes decreased to 1377 °C and 1279 °C, respectively. The composite flux promotes reactions between quartz and Na2O/CaO, forming low-melting-point minerals such as nepheline, albite, and gehlenite, while inhibiting mullite formation. Additionally, Na+ disrupts the silicate network, inducing Ca2+ to preferentially coordinate with [AlO4]5- tetrahedra, further breaking Si-O-Si bonds. MD simulations show that atomic diffusion, quantified by mean square displacement (MSD), is significantly enhanced below 1600 K with composite flux addition compared to single fluxes. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for optimizing flux formulations to enable efficient gasification of high-AFT coals.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010306
Sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) has attracted increasing attention due to its low cost, no need for external carbon sources, and low sludge production. This review systematically examines the reaction principles and key material elements of various electron donors for SAD, including elemental sulfur, sulfide, thiosulfate, and iron sulfide. It discusses recent research progress on different SAD processes and the influence of environmental factors. A comparative analysis between heterotrophic denitrification and SAD highlights SAD's advantages in reaction rate, secondary pollution, and cost-effectiveness, underscoring its promising application prospects. Notably, iron sulfide-based autotrophic denitrification maintains stable pH and produces fewer by-products (e.g., sulfate, nitrous oxide). When developed into an aggregate sulfur concrete system, it can purify nitrogen and phosphorus from secondary effluent standards to Class IV surface water standards within a hydraulic retention time of only 0.5–2 hours, addressing the contradiction between SAD reaction rate and engineering demands. This enables efficient simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal, making it viable for groundwater remediation, advanced wastewater treatment, eutrophication control, and deep nitrogen removal. The national 'Dual Carbon Strategy' (carbon neutrality and peak) positions SAD as a promising method for wastewater treatment plants to meet increasingly stringent nitrogen and phosphorus discharge standards.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025110501
Ultrashort-chain perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exhibit high hydrophilicity, mobility, and root concentration factors, facilitating their transport and accumulation in soil-crop systems and posing phytotoxicity risks. Post-drought rehydration (PDR) is a critical water management strategy to mitigate drought effects in paddy fields. This study investigated the regulation and mechanisms of PDR on ultrashort-chain PFAS transport in paddy soils through sterilized and non-sterilized experiments, employing three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and amplicon sequencing. Results showed that PDR increased the bioavailable fraction of ultrashort-chain PFAS in soil solution while delaying their release into overlying water. Sterilization experiments confirmed that PDR-induced compensatory migration was primarily driven by microbial activity. Geochemical analyses revealed that PDR reduced hydrophilic functional groups (e.g., hydroxyl) on soil particle surfaces and increased cation bridging sites. Microbiological sequencing indicated that PDR activated secondary metabolic pathways, enhancing microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production, which provided binding sites for ultrashort-chain PFAS. Consequently, EPS competed with soil particles for cation bridging, altering PFAS interfacial partitioning and increasing bioavailable and cation-complexed fractions in soil solution, thereby exacerbating rhizosphere exposure risk to rice. This study elucidates the coupled geochemical and microbiological mechanisms governing ultrashort-chain PFAS mobility under PDR, informing risk assessment and management in paddy agroecosystems.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025011804
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are persistent organic pollutants whose isomers exhibit distinct environmental behaviors, bioaccumulation potentials, and toxic effects due to structural variations. Accurate identification of PFCA isomers is critical for risk assessment and pollution control, yet existing detection methods predominantly rely on standard references, posing challenges for precise analysis of isomers with subtle structural differences. Single-molecule electrochemical sensing via nanopores offers a standard-free approach by correlating molecular volume with current blockade, but its capability to distinguish PFCA isomers remained unverified. This study targeted three sets of PFCA isomers: 4,5,5-trifluoropent-4-enoic acid vs. 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-methylbut-2-enoic acid; 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropanoic acid vs. 4,4,4-trifluorobutanoic acid; and 2-(trifluoromethoxy)acetic acid, 3,3,3-trifluorolactic acid, and (2R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropanoic acid. By engineering nanopore interfaces (WT, R220N, R220Q Aerolysin) and extracting multi-dimensional characteristic parameters, the method achieved near 100% accuracy in identifying all seven isomers. Feature selection further enabled high classification accuracy with low data volumes, laying the foundation for rapid single-molecule detection of PFAS and other emerging contaminants.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605001
The lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin, as a concentrated area of China's C5 petroleum resin industry, face critical bottlenecks in green and low-carbon transformation due to high-pollution, refractory wastewater and high carbon emissions. Traditional petrochemical wastewater treatment technologies suffer from low efficiency, high energy consumption, and insufficient resource utilization. This paper systematically analyzes the sources of wastewater in C5 petroleum resin production from principles and processes, and reviews research progress and carbon reduction potential of current technologies in three aspects: new materials, new equipment, and new processes. Integrated processes centered on efficient pretreatment, biological enhancement, and multi-technology coupling show significant advantages in improving treatment efficiency, reducing energy consumption and cost, and strengthening resource recovery. The study also prospects future research priorities for pollution and carbon mitigation through green technological innovation and intelligent upgrading, providing new solutions for 'near-zero discharge' and resource recycling of C5 petroleum resin wastewater, thereby promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of the petrochemical industry.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3830-6
Controlled fabrication of artificial multiple-stranded helices is central to deciphering chirality complexity and hierarchical self-assembly processes. Inspired by biological helical nanostructures, we designed a twisted figure-of-eight chiral macrocycle (M1) from pyrene and benzene diimide subcomponents to direct hierarchical assembly of double- and quadruple-stranded superhelices. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that M1 undergoes charge-transfer and CH···π interactions-driven helical wrapping, forming right-handed (P) single strands that intertwine into quadruple π-helical superstructures. Crucially, the macrocycle's adaptive cavity and interstitial voids could bind electron-deficient naphthalene diimide (NDI) guests through charge transfer interactions, triggering transformation to left-handed (M) double helices. This structural shift induces helicity inversion and optical anisotropy changes, demonstrating a rare case of crystalline-state multiple-helix conversion with supramolecular chirality inversion. This work establishes a template-free methodology for synthesizing multiple-stranded π-helices and controlling their transformations through supramolecular engineering.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3786-8
Conventional cancer diagnostic techniques, such as tissue sampling and microscopy, are invasive and prone to misdiagnosis, driving the need for non-invasive, precise alternatives. Chiral biophotonics, exploiting circularly polarized light (CPL), offers unique polarization-selective interactions with biological tissues, enabling higher imaging contrast and molecular-level discrimination. However, current CPL detection technologies are passive and single-mode, lacking dynamic tunability and parallel processing capabilities. Meanwhile, AI-assisted diagnostics rely on separated sensing and computing units, suffering from poor integration and transmission inefficiency. Here, we report a near-infrared (NIR) chiral organic synaptic photodiode with electrically tunable dual-mode operation, enabling simultaneous CPL detection and neuromorphic processing. Under negative bias, the device operates as a highly sensitive CPL detector for chiroptical signal acquisition. Under positive bias, it exhibits history-dependent synaptic behavior with photocurrent dissymmetry factor (g_ph) dynamically tunable up to -0.06. By integrating this device into an optical convolutional neural network (OCNN), we achieved intelligent cancer detection with CPL-based imaging. Experimental results demonstrate that CPL detection accuracy reaches 83%, approaching the theoretical 87%, significantly outperforming natural light detection at 65%. The device enhances image contrast and feature extraction, laying a foundation for intelligent, adaptive diagnostic systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3802-0
Exploring efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions is key to water electrolysis. However, the inherently slow reaction kinetics of electrocatalysis are constrained by mass transfer limitations and unsuitable adsorption/desorption dynamics. Herein, a Fe-doped-Ni3S2/NiFeCoCeIn oxide hydroxide (FNS/HEOXY) crystalline–amorphous heterostructure electrocatalyst with a large work function difference (ΔΦ) and strong built-in electric field (BEF) is successfully designed and synthesized. Benefiting from the electron transfer behavior from FNS to HEOXY, the FNS/HEOXY shows outstanding catalytic activity for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution, along with ultra-high stability in an alkaline medium at an industrial-level current density. Moreover, the anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) assembled by the FNS/HEOXY requires only a minimal cell voltage of 1.83 V to reach 1 A cm−2 at 80 °C. Both experimental and theoretical results confirm the interfacial charge redistribution induced by the strong BEF, thus finely optimizing the adsorption energy. This work proposes a new design principle toward efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion.
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.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60618-9
Aromatic hydrocarbons, essential chemical feedstocks for fuels, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceuticals, are predominantly derived from petroleum refining. The catalytic conversion of lignin, a major lignocellulosic component, offers a renewable route to these chemicals. This review systematically examines the influence of pyrolysis methods, catalysts, and reaction conditions on the catalytic pyrolysis of lignin to aromatic hydrocarbons. Key parameters include catalyst acidity and pore structure, which govern selectivity and yield. Reaction temperature, catalyst-to-lignin ratio, and residence time critically affect product distribution. The review outlines catalytic mechanisms, such as deoxygenation, cracking, and aromatization, and highlights the role of zeolite catalysts, particularly HZSM-5, in enhancing monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon yields. Metal modification (e.g., Fe, Ni, Ga) and pretreatment strategies (e.g., torrefaction) are discussed for improving efficiency. Challenges remain in catalyst deactivation due to coking and the complexity of lignin structure. Future research directions include developing robust catalysts, optimizing reactor designs, and integrating processes for industrial viability. This review provides theoretical and technological guidance for advancing lignin-to-aromatics conversion.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506080
Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic trace heavy metal, posing severe risks to human health and the environment. Cement kilns are significant sources of gaseous Tl emissions, with concentrations up to 25 μg·m−3, which can poison SCR catalysts and cause environmental contamination. This study developed MnO2/γ-Al2O3 adsorbents via wet impregnation with varying Mn loadings (0–15 wt%) to capture gaseous TlCl. Fixed-bed adsorption experiments at 300 °C with 20% O2 revealed that capture capacity initially increased with Mn loading, peaking at 10 wt% MnO2 (10MnO2/γ-Al2O3), then declined at 15 wt%. Characterization (XRD, O2-TPD, H2-TPR) indicated that Mn species enhanced redox properties, oxidizing Tl+ to Tl3+ and immobilizing it on the surface. DFT calculations showed that TlCl forms stronger Al–Cl and Mn–Cl bonds on MnO2/γ-Al2O3 than on γ-Al2O3, with higher adsorption energy and greater charge transfer, corroborating experimental results. The optimal adsorbent, 10MnO2/γ-Al2O3, demonstrates superior Tl capture performance, offering a promising upstream solution for protecting SCR catalysts and reducing atmospheric Tl emissions from cement kilns.
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.0254-6108.2025022102
Organophosphate pesticides (OPs), the most extensively used insecticides globally, are ubiquitous in environmental matrices and agricultural products, leading to widespread human exposure. This systematic review evaluates the impact of OP exposure on pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes, synthesizing evidence from 58 epidemiological studies published between January 2001 and July 2024. Exposure assessment methods, including biomarkers such as urinary dialkyl phosphates, are critically examined. The review finds significant associations between OP exposure and increased risks of spontaneous abortion, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight and reduced head circumference. Potential mechanisms include paraoxonase 1 (PON1) genotype polymorphisms affecting detoxification capacity, oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic disruption, and altered placental gene networks. The review highlights inconsistencies across studies due to variability in exposure assessment, timing, and population susceptibility. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, repeated biomarker measurements, and consideration of PON1 genetic variants to clarify causal relationships and susceptible windows. This comprehensive synthesis provides critical insights for regulatory policies and clinical interventions aimed at mitigating maternal and child health risks from OP exposure.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026011902
The migration of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) at the water–soil interface in paddy fields is a critical determinant of their environmental fate and crop safety. This study investigated the influence of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) on PFASs mobility under waterlogged conditions. Four LMWOAs—oxalic, citric, lactic, and acetic acids—were individually enriched in paddy soils, and the migration of 15 PFASs was monitored. Acetic acid enrichment most strongly suppressed PFASs release into overlying water. Mechanistic analyses using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy, microbial amplicon sequencing, and metagenomics revealed that acetic acid reshaped the microbial community, enriching sulfate-reducing bacteria and upregulating sulfur reduction genes (SULT1A) and nitrogen transformation genes (nifN, nirI, nthB). This drove sulfate reduction to sulfite and sulfide. ABT modeling identified sulfur metabolism as the dominant factor controlling PFASs immobilization (26.06% contribution). Experiments under varying sulfur redox conditions confirmed that sulfite (SO3^2−) oxidation indirectly altered dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition, weakening PFASs–DOM binding and reducing PFASs in overlying water. These findings demonstrate that LMWOAs accumulation, particularly acetic acid, can effectively impede PFASs migration at the paddy water–soil interface via microbial sulfur cycling and associated DOM structural changes, offering a potential strategy for PFASs remediation in agricultural systems.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606006
Chitosan-based microsphere composites have attracted considerable attention for phosphorus adsorption due to their facile preparation, low cost, environmental friendliness, and high uptake capacity. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties and preparation methods of chitosan microspheres for phosphate removal, outlines common modification strategies to enhance adsorption capacity, and discusses their applications in aqueous environments. Adsorption mechanisms, regeneration, and resource recovery of spent microspheres are analyzed. Challenges and recommendations are proposed, including streamlined preparation, enhanced phosphorus recovery, removal of multiple phosphorus forms, and practical implementation. The review aims to guide the development of high-performance chitosan-based microspheres for phosphorus removal.
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/s40843-025-3774-3
Lithium-air capacitor batteries (LACBs) integrate the rapid charge-discharge capability of supercapacitors into conventional lithium-oxygen batteries, significantly enhancing power density. However, their cycling stability remains unsatisfactory. In this study, we incorporated redox mediators (RMs) into an LACB featuring a dual-cathode configuration. This design facilitates sustained electron transfer between the electrode and Li2O2/Oxygen, thereby delaying RM deactivation caused by electrode passivation and improving overall electrochemical performance. The RM-enhanced battery achieved over 250 cycles at 2 mA cm−2 with a limited capacity of 0.5 mAh cm−2, while exhibiting a 0.54 V reduction in charging voltage at 0.1 mA cm−2 compared to the RM-free system. Furthermore, application of an aluminum foil sealing technique enabled a power density of 13.8 mW cm−2 at 6 mA cm−2, overcoming mass transport limitations inherent in open-cell configurations. We also investigated the influence of oxygen barrier films with varying barrier capabilities on LACB performance. Results indicate that films with superior oxygen resistance better maintain a clean capacitor electrode surface, thereby providing more stable electron supply to the RMs and enhancing rate capability and cycling performance. These findings underscore the potential of redox mediators in improving the performance and longevity of LACBs, offering a promising strategy for their future development.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511004
To address nitrate nitrogen accumulation in aquaculture tailwater, a core-shell encapsulated immobilized denitrifying bacterial capsule containing lychee seed powder and denitrifying activated sludge was developed. The capsule's micro-morphology, bacterial activity recovery, growth, community structure changes, and diffusion coefficient dynamics during acclimation were investigated. The capsule shell exhibited a honeycomb porous structure with an average pore size of (0.25 ± 0.063) μm. Denitrifying bacterial activity recovered rapidly, with nitrate nitrogen removal efficiency stabilizing at 83.61% by day 21. Biomass within the capsules increased progressively, reaching (21.96 ± 0.28) mg·(g-pellet)−1 on day 30. The effective diffusion coefficient decreased with biomass growth, dropping to 0.232 × 10−9 m²·s−1 by day 30. Organic carbon source and encapsulation acclimation environment altered the microbial community structure; after acclimation, dominant genera were Methylobacterium (22.8%), Brevibacillus (18.1%), and Azospirillum (17.3%). Denitrifying bacteria containing nirS- and nirK- genes predominantly belonged to Proteobacteria (>99%). Genera involved in organic carbon metabolism and denitrification, including Bosea, Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobacter, and Alicycliphilus, increased in abundance. The encapsulated denitrifying bacteria exhibited short activity recovery time and excellent denitrification performance, making them suitable for denitrification of aquaculture tailwater or other low C/N ratio wastewater.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509031
This study establishes a carbon footprint calculation method and an environmental benefit assessment model for the dismantling process of waste televisions (TVs) based on life cycle assessment (LCA). Activity data on energy consumption and material flows were collected from typical treatment enterprises via field investigation. The ReCiPe 2016 model was applied to quantify midpoint and endpoint environmental impacts. Results show that the dismantling and recycling process yields net environmental benefits in most impact categories. At the midpoint level, significant reductions were observed in fossil resource scarcity (−26,494.23 kg oil eq), freshwater ecotoxicity (−2.21×10^4 kg 1,4-DCB), and greenhouse gas emissions (−956.53 kg CO2 eq). At the endpoint level, reductions in human health damage (−1.59×10^4 DALY), ecosystem damage (−2.35×10^4 species·yr), and resource depletion costs (−4.22×10^4 USD) were achieved. Carbon footprint analysis indicates that the carbon footprint per TV ranges from 0.231 to 0.247 kg CO2 eq per unit, with electricity consumption as the dominant emission source. Sensitivity analysis reveals that electricity consumption significantly influences the carbon footprint. Finally, emission reduction recommendations are proposed from aspects of equipment upgrade and energy management, providing theoretical basis and practical guidance for low-carbon treatment of electronic waste.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511041
Hydroxyl radicals (·OH) generated via dark reactions under fluctuating redox conditions significantly influence pollutant degradation and elemental cycling, yet the key electron supply mechanisms driving their sustained production remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the electron-driven processes underlying sustained dark ·OH generation in mangrove soils under redox fluctuations. Simulated tidal redox cycles were conducted, and electron donating capacity (EDC), three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-throughput sequencing were employed to analyze the dynamics of different Fe(II) species, key organic matter components, and microbial communities. Results demonstrated that, without exogenous electron donors, mangrove soils exhibited stable ·OH generation potential and EDC. During early redox cycles, total EDC of soil suspensions was dominated by reactive Fe(II), while the contribution of reduced organic matter increased over time, with solid-phase components accounting for 94.5%–97.6% of total EDC. Humic acids in soil organic matter facilitated reversible electron transfer via quinone functional groups, maintaining redox activity. Geothermobacter and Desulfobulbus were identified as dominant iron-reducing bacteria, likely key microorganisms for regenerating the "iron-organic matter" electron sources. This study reveals the mechanisms of endogenous electron donor regeneration and sustained dark ·OH generation mediated by iron and organic matter cycling in mangrove soils, providing theoretical support for understanding the long-term environmental effects of ·OH in tidal environments and its impact on biogeochemical cycles.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026041402
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants ubiquitously distributed in paddy soils. In paddy management, surface water irrigation introduces quinolone antibiotics (QNs) into the soil, potentially altering PFAS interfacial migration via microbial community shifts. This study investigated the soil-water partitioning of PFAS under irrigation with four QNs (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin) using UHPLC-MS/MS and soil metagenomics. Results showed that QNs input, especially norfloxacin, significantly promoted the release of short-chain PFAS (e.g., PFBA) from soil to overlying water, while long-chain PFAS remained largely retained in soil. Metagenomic analysis revealed that archaeal and viral communities contributed most to PFAS release. Spearman correlations indicated ammonia-oxidizing archaea (Nitrososphaera) positively correlated with PFBA, whereas Bcep22virus negatively correlated with multiple PFAS. Differential gene expression and co-occurrence networks suggested QNs suppressed key functional genes in archaea and viruses (nitrogen metabolism, secretion systems, outer membrane proteins), reshaping interfacial partitioning and enhancing short-chain PFAS mobility, thereby increasing food security risks.
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.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607006
This study evaluates the global warming potential (GWP) of three typical air pollution control device (APCD) configurations in municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration under ultra-low emission standards. The configurations are APCD1 (SNCR+SDS+DS+ACI+FF), APCD2 (SNCR+SDS+DS+ACI+FF+SCR+WS), and APCD3 (SNCR+SDS+DS+ACI+FF+WS+SCR). Life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to quantify GWP. Results indicate that APCD3 exhibits the highest GWP due to increased electricity consumption, yet it achieves the lowest pollutant emissions among the three. APCD1 shows the highest NOx emissions, contributing significantly to GWP, and requires technological upgrades. APCD2 consumes more resources but does not proportionally reduce emissions, suggesting inefficiencies. Electricity consumption is the dominant factor influencing GWP across all processes; reducing electricity use and improving energy efficiency are critical for mitigating environmental impact. The study recommends further research on CO2 reduction strategies and adoption of more efficient DeNOx technologies to align MSW incineration with ultra-low emission and low-carbon goals.
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/s40843-025-3983-4
Refrigeration is essential for modern society, supporting applications from household appliances and industrial manufacturing to microelectronics and biopharmaceutical cold chains. Conventional refrigeration technologies are constrained by environmental impact and low energy efficiency, emphasizing the importance of developing sustainable alternatives. Solid-state caloric refrigeration, particularly electrocaloric (EC) devices, offers a promising route owing to their high cooling efficiency, rapid electric-field-driven response, and potential for miniaturization. Significant progress has been achieved in various EC device configurations. However, EC devices still face challenges in achieving large temperature spans, high cooling power, and effective integration for specific applications. This review systematically summarizes these developments, focusing on device design and performance enhancement. It elucidates the fundamental and shared design strategies, classifies EC devices into fluid-based heat-transfer type, solid-based heat-transfer type, and thermal-resistance-modulated heat-switch architectures, and analyzes representative device structures, performance metrics, and application scenarios. Finally, energy-recovery strategies and future optimization directions toward more efficient EC systems are discussed. This work provides a comprehensive reference for the design innovation and practical implementation of EC-based solid-state refrigeration technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3950-x
Photocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production via the two-electron pathway offers an environmentally friendly oxidant and a clean fuel. However, challenges exist in optimal oxygen (O2) adsorption capacities and maintaining O–O bond during O2 activation. Herein, we present a zinc single-atom catalyst (Zn/VN-CN) incorporating nitrogen vacancies (VN), designed to modulate the electronic structure of the photocatalyst, leading to optimized O2 adsorption energy and a remarkable enhancement in H2O2 yield. Benefiting from the synergistic effect between nitrogen vacancies and Zn single atoms, the optimized Zn/VN-CN catalyst exhibits a photocatalytic H2O2 production rate of 2.399 mmol g−1 h−1 under visible-light irradiation, representing a 12-fold enhancement compared to pristine g-C3N4 (CN), along with a high H2O2 selectivity of 87.4%. Combined experimental and theoretical studies indicate that the Zn-N3 sites act as highly active reaction centers, while nitrogen vacancies increase the charge density and downshift the d-band center of the Zn sites, thereby moderating O2 adsorption strength, lowering the activation energy barrier for the formation of *H2O2, and further converting it to H2O2. This work proposes an effective strategy for tuning O2 adsorption behavior to achieve highly selective and active photocatalytic H2O2 production.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3989-4
Organic-inorganic hybrid metal halides (OIMHs) based on Cu(I) ions exhibit broad application prospects in stimulus-responsive luminescent materials due to their rich structural diversity and highly adjustable electronic states. However, achieving sensitive and broad-temperature-range thermal responses remains a significant challenge. Here, we synthesize a zero-dimensional warm white-light emitting OIMH, MPC-W ((C9H20N2O)4(Cu2I4)(Cu2I6)(H2PO2)2), using 4-morpholinopiperidine (4-MP) and CuI. MPC-W features hybrid structures of [Cu2I4]2− and [Cu2I6]4−. The coexistence of three luminescent mechanisms—organic cluster luminescence (CL), self-trapped exciton (STE) emission of [Cu2I6]4−, and cluster-centered (CC) state luminescence of [Cu2I4]2−—endows MPC-W with temperature- and excitation-wavelength-dependent dynamic luminescence. From 77 to 297 K, the luminescence color continuously tunes from blue to cyan, green, yellow-green, and white. In the range of 217–463 K, MPC-W exhibits abnormal luminescence enhancement with increasing temperature. Upon chemical stimuli, MPC-W reversibly transforms into blue-emitting MPC-B ((C9H20N2O)Cu2I4) and yellow-emitting MPC-Y ((C9H18N2O)7Cu8I8). These dynamic luminescent properties position MPC-W for applications in temperature sensing, optical anti-counterfeiting, and password locks. This work provides new insights for developing wide-temperature-responsive multifunctional intelligent luminescent materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4107-x
Aqueous fiber zinc-iodine batteries (FZIBs) with four-electron redox exhibit inherent safety and high energy density for wearable electronics. Nevertheless, their practical implementations are hindered by unsatisfactory cycling stability and low realistic energy density, mainly caused by severe H2O-induced nucleophilic attack toward iodine species and poor zinc anode reversibility. Here, we report a quaternary ammonium-mediated coordination strategy to simultaneously address the irreversible cathode/anode redox behavior and thus promote the electrochemical performance of four-electron FZIBs. The cationic choline ion (Ch+) induces complexation with ICl2− via electrostatic interaction, homogenizing the electron cloud density and suppressing irreversible hydrolysis of I+ species, enabling a reversible near-theoretical high capacity of 418.3 mAh g−1. Meanwhile, preferentially adsorbed Ch+ on the zinc anode surface creates positively charged shielding layers, mitigating the tip effect caused by localized electric field and achieving robust zinc stripping/plating. The enhanced cathode/anode reversibility and improved interfacial stability enable stable FZIBs operation for over 20,000 cycles at 20.0 A g−1. Moreover, successful integration of FZIBs into electronic textiles with glucose and cardiac rhythm sensors demonstrates great potential for next-generation wearable electronics.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512031
The overuse of antibiotics has led to residual amoxicillin (AMX) in aquatic environments, promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and threatening ecological safety. In this study, magnetic iron-modified biochar (Fe-BC) was prepared from agricultural waste sugarcane bagasse via FeCl3·6H2O impregnation and oxygen-limited pyrolysis. The adsorption performance and mechanism of Fe-BC for AMX were systematically investigated. Under conditions of 25 °C, pH 6, and initial AMX concentration of 50 mg·L−1, the adsorption capacity reached 32.61 mg·g−1. Characterization of Fe-BC before and after adsorption, combined with adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamic analyses, revealed that adsorption primarily relied on oxygen-containing functional groups. The mechanisms included pore filling, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, complexation, and π–π interaction. After six thermal regeneration cycles, the removal efficiency of AMX remained above 76%. The specific surface area of Fe-BC increased from 279.20 m2·g−1 to 481.42 m2·g−1, an enhancement of approximately 72.4%. These results provide a technical reference for the resource utilization of agricultural waste and cost-effective treatment of antibiotic-containing wastewater in rural decentralized areas.
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.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60656-1
Under the carbon neutrality strategy, biomass boilers have emerged as key facilities for renewable energy utilization, yet are characterized by low-concentration SO2 emissions. Ca-based dry desulfurization presents a promising technology for biomass boiler flue gas purification due to its compact structure, low capital investment and simple operation and maintenance. However, it is generally limited by the low adsorbent utilization and insufficient desulfurization efficiency. Herein, this study developed a novel Ca-Mn composite adsorbent through a synergistic strategy integrating F127 surfactant to optimize dispersion and Mn loading to enhance oxidation efficiency. The resulting adsorbent not only significantly increased the breakthrough sulfur capacity of the Ca-based material but also markedly improved the synergistic removal of Hg0. It was demonstrated that the introduction of Mn elements and F127 effectively suppressed the agglomeration of Ca(OH)2 crystallites and induced an oxygen vacancy-rich structure, while simultaneously optimizing the pore structure of the adsorbent. The modified adsorbent exhibited the enlarged specific surface area and pore volume, which favored to enhance the reaction mass transfer and effectively prevent the pore blockage and coverage of active sites by desulfurization products. The Mn sites and oxygen vacancies formed catalytic centers, which not only accelerated the desulfurization reaction by promoting SO2 oxidation but also enabled the adsorbent to couple with Hg0 catalytic oxidation functionality. Consequently, the simultaneous removal of SO2 and Hg0 was significantly enhanced on the Ca-Mn composite adsorbent.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025041804
Ethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonic acid) sodium (EDTMPS), an organic phosphonate scale and corrosion inhibitor, is widely used in industrial recirculating cooling water systems. Its efficient degradation in blowdown water is critical for water reuse. This study employed a plate-frame electrochemical advanced oxidation (EAOP) system with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode to degrade EDTMPS. The effects of operating conditions (temperature, voltage, liquid flow rate) and water quality parameters (pH, electrolyte concentration, chloride ion concentration) were systematically investigated. Optimal degradation efficiency of 99.48% was achieved at 50 °C, 300 mL·min−1, 7.0 V, pH 10, and 0.05 mol·L−1 Na2SO4. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) characterization of chloride-containing systems indicated that reactive species included hydroxyl radicals, sulfate radicals, and possibly chlorine radicals. In a coexisting system with benzotriazole (BTA), EAOPs degraded EDTMPS and BTA with comparable efficiencies. The results demonstrate that BDD-based EAOPs is effective for removing organic phosphonates from low-chloride, low-hardness cooling water, offering a promising approach for blowdown water treatment and reuse.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3843-9
Lignocellulose-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are gaining prominence across multiple sectors, driven by the growing EMI issues associated with rapid advances in communication technologies and electronic devices. These materials have demonstrated significant superiority over traditional EMI shielding solutions, which are often hampered by high cost and environmental concerns. This review emphasizes the excellent potential of lignocellulose as a cost-effective and flexible alternative to deliver the hierarchical structures and functional properties that qualify it for EMI shielding applications. The underlying EMI shielding mechanisms are then elucidated, with a focus on the benefits conferred by lignocellulose in such material systems. Furthermore, typical fabrication strategies for lignocellulose-based EMI shielding materials are comprehensively summarized, along with a discussion of their emerging applications in diverse scenarios. Finally, the challenges encountered in developing lignocellulose-based EMI shielding materials and their significant prospects for future boosting high-performance design and application are also outlined. The insights presented herein are expected to promote the development of efficient and green lignocellulose-based EMI shielding materials that meet the evolving demands of modern society.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3999-x
The integration of photochromism (PhCh) and persistent luminescence (PersL) into a single material remains a formidable challenge due to the complex role of defects in modulating optical properties. Here, we employ structurally simple CsX (X = Cl, Br) nanocrystals (NCs) as a model system to elucidate the relationship between defects and optical behaviors. We demonstrate that CsX NCs accommodate two distinct types of chlorine vacancy defects upon X-ray irradiation: intrinsic vacancies from synthesis and X-ray-induced vacancies. This dual-defect engineering enables reversible blue coloration under X-ray irradiation (20–70 kV), attributed to recoverable chlorine vacancies that are rapidly eliminated by visible light within 30 s. The photochromic behavior exhibits excellent cycling stability with a color difference (ΔRL1) of 56.9% and a recovery rate (ΔRL2) of 98.1%. Furthermore, Br− incorporation deepens the energy level of intrinsic chlorine vacancies from 0.47–0.71 eV to 0.83 eV, resulting in intense persistent luminescence lasting over 30 minutes. These dual-mode PhCh–PersL characteristics position CsX NCs as promising candidates for X-ray colorimetric imaging and dynamic anti-counterfeiting applications. Our findings establish a defect-oriented design principle extendable to other halide systems, advancing the development of multifunctional photonic materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4004-3
The development of efficient and stable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is critical for clean energy technologies, yet conventional cobalt-based spinel catalysts often suffer from insufficient activity and structural instability under operating conditions. To address these challenges, this study proposes and constructs a cation-ordered spinel-like catalyst (HVI Metal-CoMoO4/NF). The unique crystalline framework induces significant Jahn-Teller distortion and pre-stabilizes a Co2+/Co3+ mixed-valence state at the cobalt active centers via asymmetric Co–O–Mo bridges, effectively optimizing bulk charge transport. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that its performance significantly surpasses that of benchmark materials, requiring only an overpotential of 307 mV to drive a current density of 100 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH, with a Tafel slope of 63.13 mV dec−1, maintaining stable operation for over 320 h at high current density. Crucially, our structural and in situ characterization results clearly reveal a stable and well-crystallized reconstruction behavior from the surface into the bulk of the spinel-like pre-catalyst during the OER. This work fundamentally addresses the challenges of disordered reconstruction and unstable active phases in traditional spinel catalysts, providing a paradigm for regulating the dynamic evolution of electrocatalysts through precise structural design.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4032-x
This study introduces a dual-compatibility third component as an interfacial modifier to precisely regulate the active layer morphology of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJ-OSCs). This approach successfully suppresses excessive phase separation, significantly enhancing the performance of thick-film devices. The interface-styling strategy enhances donor–acceptor interactions, optimizes vertical phase separation morphology, extends exciton diffusion length, improves exciton dissociation efficiency, facilitates efficient charge transport, and effectively suppresses trap-assisted recombination. The ternary device based on PM6:PCN3:PY-IT achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.41%, which was much higher than that of the PM6:PY-IT binary system (18.67%). The device maintains excellent performance at an active layer thickness of 200 nm, achieving a high PCE of 18.25%. This study demonstrates the significance of using dually compatible molecules for interface modification in all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs), providing theoretical guidance for the fabrication of high-performance thick-film devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4057-4
The escalating use of ionizing radiation in medical and industrial applications necessitates lead-free, flexible, and sustainable shielding materials. Current development relies on empirical trial-and-error, which is inefficient. This study introduces a machine learning-assisted Monte Carlo simulation strategy for rapid optimization of metal filler compositions for X-ray attenuation across 40–120 kV. Guided by this AI-driven approach, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based gels containing uniformly dispersed Bi/W/Gd2O3 nanoparticles were developed, forming within 1 minute at -20°C using a PVA-DMSO/H2O co-solvent system. The optimized gel with 50 wt% metal loading exhibits exceptional mechanical properties: tensile strength of 1.76 MPa, toughness of 6.3 MJ m−3, and elongation of 600%. It achieves >98% X-ray shielding efficiency at 5 mm thickness, outperforming lead composites at 120 kV. The physically cross-linked network provides recyclability and anti-freezing capability, retaining flexibility at -50°C. This work establishes a data-driven paradigm for designing high-performance radiation-shielding materials, demonstrating AI's potential to accelerate materials discovery and enable scalable fabrication of eco-friendly protective systems.
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/s40843-025-4077-0
Flexible memristors are pivotal for advancing neuromorphic computing in wearable electronics, yet the intrinsic brittleness of inorganic oxides poses a critical challenge. Here, we employ an entropy-engineering strategy to control the amorphization of oxide compositions, yielding a precisely controlled crystalline/amorphous microstructure in a BaTi0.25Sn0.25Hf0.25Zr0.25O3 thin film. This film withstands bending angles up to 180°, enabling an Au/BaTi0.25Sn0.25Hf0.25Zr0.25O3/ITO/Mica device that functions as a memristor. Entropy engineering increases oxygen vacancy concentration, imparting stable resistive switching behavior under both flat and bent conditions. The device exhibits exceptional endurance and reproducibility over multiple bending cycles, demonstrating a significant strategy for advancing flexible memristor technologies and holding promise for next-generation high-performance flexible electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4085-9
Bone defects remain a prevalent clinical challenge, and regenerative medicine based on bone tissue engineering offers promising solutions. Traditional osteogenic materials rely on bioactive macromolecules like growth factors, which suffer from poor stability and stringent storage requirements. From a structural perspective, bone tissue resides in a phosphorylated microenvironment, with 65–70% of inorganic components composed of hydroxyapatite. Inorganic phosphorylated materials induce osteogenic differentiation but exhibit high stiffness, brittleness, slow degradation, and limited mechanical tunability. Synthetic phosphorylated polymers with excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility have been developed to address these issues. In this work, we developed a series of phosphorylated polymers derived from poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS), a biocompatible and biodegradable material. Leveraging the hydroxyl-rich backbone of PGS, we demonstrated an efficient method for controllable phosphorylation of PGS side chains, enabling synthesis of PGS-based phosphorylated (PGS-P) polymers with tunable phosphorus contents. The optimized phosphorylated polyester, PGS-P4, exhibited strong ability to promote osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs, and its porous three-dimensional scaffolds showed favorable properties for bone regeneration. BMSCs cultured for one week and observed by fluorescence microscopy showed enhanced BSP protein expression on PGS-P2, PGS-P4, and PGS-P6 groups compared with PLGA and PGS, with PGS-P4 displaying the most intense signal. In summary, we present a simple and controllable method for preparation of functionalized polyesters and their porous scaffolds with tunable phosphorus content, validating its effectiveness in promoting osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs. All phosphorylated polyesters exhibit enhanced differentiation-promoting effects compared to non-phosphorylated PGS; however, the degree of enhancement does not increase monotonically with phosphorus content. PGS-P4, containing an optimal phosphorus level, shows the most pronounced biological functions.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4109-2
The fabrication of high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs) under ambient conditions remains a formidable challenge due to the sensitivity of active layer morphology to environmental factors. We propose an innovative approach for air-processed devices that combines spontaneous water-spreading film formation with layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition. This method enables the fabrication of donor- and acceptor-dominant bulk heterojunction blend films near the anode and cathode interfacial layers, respectively, optimizing vertical phase separation and enhancing charge transfer efficiency. In the D18:L8-BO system, the device achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.02% with an exceptionally narrow efficiency distribution. Even for devices with an area of 1 cm2, a PCE of 16.56% is attained. After a 1000-hour decay test, the efficiency retains 84.1%. This novel method offers a promising pathway for advancing the industrial application of large-area, highly stable devices with narrow efficiency distribution under ambient conditions.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4088-y
Silicon nitride (Si3N4) is a strong, thermally stable covalent ceramic typically regarded as brittle with limited deformability. Recent experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies indicate that the α/β interface undergoes a β→α transformation via sliding followed by bond-switching, suggesting a pathway to achieve plasticity, but DFT's spatiotemporal reach prevents a full mechanistic picture. Here, we develop a physics-informed high-accuracy neural network interatomic potential (NNAP) model with DFT-level accuracy for phase transformations and use it to perform large-scale atomistic simulations. NNAP-guided simulations show that structural relaxation during relative sliding between α- and β-phases at the interface triggers pronounced atomic-layer rearrangements and lowers the energy barrier by nearly 60%. We further find that the ensuing phase transformation does not proceed by isolated layer-by-layer switching but instead follows in-plane nucleation and growth mediated by a bilayer cooperative mechanism, which further reduces kinetic barriers and facilitates the transformation. CI-NEB calculations reveal that the bilayer cooperative pathway has an energy barrier of 0.018 eV/Ų, lower than the independent layer-by-layer manner (0.020 eV/Ų), indicating enhanced kinetic accessibility. These results provide new atomistic insights into interface-driven phase transformations in dual-phase Si3N4 and offer guidance for designing more deformable covalent ceramics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3631-1
Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) offers cost and dynamic-response advantages over proton exchange membrane systems, yet commercial deployment is constrained by the alkaline stability of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and the sluggish kinetics of non-precious metal catalysts. This work reports a series of poly(terphenyl-diphenylmethane piperidinium) (QPDPMTP) membranes synthesized with varied diphenylmethane (DPM) content. The alkyl chain of DPM induces pronounced microphase separation and elevates free volume fraction, yielding an OH− conductivity of 152 mS cm−1 at 80 °C for QPDPMTP-10. After 1032 h immersion in 6 M NaOH at 80 °C, the membrane retains 90.7% of its initial conductivity. An AEMWE cell integrating QPDPMTP-10 with a non-precious NiFeCo LDH/NiS/NF anode achieves 3.11 A cm−2 at 2 V in 1 M KOH at 80 °C and sustains 1 A cm−2 for 1800 h under gradient KOH concentration. These results establish a viable pathway for durable, low-cost AEMWE systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3587-4
Unstable zinc interfaces arising from dendrite growth and parasitic reactions impede the practical deployment of rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries. This study introduces 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as a parts-per-million (ppm) level electrolyte additive to stabilize the Zn anode. Theoretical and experimental analyses reveal that PAN undergoes parallel adsorption on the Zn surface, establishing strong π-π interactions between adjacent molecules that efficiently repel water. The OH, pyridine N, and azo N groups in PAN chelate Zn2+, modulating Zn2+ diffusion and promoting uniform deposition while suppressing dendrite formation. A 10 ppm (0.04 mM) PAN addition extends the lifespan of a symmetrical cell to 1500 h at 2 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. The Zn||Cu half-cell achieves a Coulombic efficiency of 99.91% over 3500 cycles at 5 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. Full cells with NH4V4O10 and MnO2 cathodes exhibit enhanced cycling stability. Notably, a Zn||NH4V4O10 pouch cell retains 71.1% capacity after 250 cycles at 0.8 A g−1. This work demonstrates a viable strategy for selecting high-efficiency additives for aqueous metal-based batteries.