SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4435-9
Organic room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials exhibit large Stokes shifts, high signal-to-noise ratios, and long emission lifetimes, positioning them as promising candidates for advanced anti-counterfeiting, bioimaging, sensing, and display technologies. Despite significant progress in molecular design—including radical-based systems, crystal engineering, host-guest doping, polymer matrix confinement, and supramolecular assembly—the integration of these materials with 3D printing remains in its infancy. This review critically examines the design strategies and research advances in 3D-printed organic RTP materials, focusing on the fundamental photophysical processes of intersystem crossing and suppression of non-radiative transitions. We analyze how printing parameters, matrix rheology, and layer-by-layer deposition influence phosphorescence quantum yields and lifetimes. Key challenges such as oxygen quenching, thermal degradation during extrusion, and poor interlayer adhesion are discussed with quantitative benchmarks. The review highlights that current 3D-printed RTP systems achieve lifetimes up to 1.2 s and quantum yields of 12% under ambient conditions, but scalability beyond 100 cm² remains limited by nozzle clogging and slow curing kinetics. By mapping material formulation to printability, we identify operational windows for extrusion-based and vat photopolymerization techniques. This work provides a roadmap for engineers to transition RTP materials from laboratory-scale demonstrations to industrial fabrication of complex 3D architectures with persistent luminescence.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4279-0
Inkjet printing has emerged as a viable additive manufacturing route for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), offering drop-on-demand patterning, high material utilization, and compatibility with large-area flexible substrates. This review critically examines the formulation science, printhead physics, and drying kinetics that govern the quality of inkjet-printed organic layers. We analyze the rheological window required for stable jetting, typically 1–20 mPa·s viscosity and 25–45 mN/m surface tension, and the dimensionless Ohnesorge number (0.1 < Z < 1) that defines satellite-free droplet formation. The coffee-ring effect, driven by capillary flow and solvent evaporation gradients, remains the dominant failure mode for pixel non-uniformity; binary solvent systems and substrate temperature control (40–60 °C) mitigate this. We survey recent progress in printed hole-transport, emissive, and electron-transport layers, with particular attention to cross-linkable hole-transport materials that resist interlayer dissolution. Device performance metrics from printed OLEDs now reach external quantum efficiencies of 15–20% for fluorescent emitters and >25% for phosphorescent systems, with operating lifetimes (T95) exceeding 1,000 hours at 1,000 cd/m². We identify remaining bottlenecks: nozzle clogging from aggregated nanoparticles, film thickness variation across large panels, and the absence of standardized ink formulations. The review concludes with a roadmap for industrial adoption, emphasizing in-line metrology and closed-loop process control as prerequisites for yield parity with vacuum-deposited OLEDs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4383-8
Conventional cancer therapies remain constrained by undruggable oncogenic proteins and acquired resistance. Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a transformative modality that harnesses the ubiquitin-proteasome system to selectively degrade target proteins, offering advantages over traditional small-molecule inhibitors. However, clinical translation of PROTACs is impeded by intrinsic physicochemical limitations: high molecular weight, poor bioavailability, and lack of tumor-specific delivery. Integrating PROTACs with nanotechnology has yielded advanced nano-PROTACs platforms. Nanocarriers enhance solubility and stability, optimize pharmacokinetics, and enable spatiotemporally controlled drug release through passive or active targeting. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in engineering multifunctional nano-PROTACs for cancer therapy, with particular emphasis on design strategies by which nanoengineering enhances PROTAC performance. We evaluate how these platforms improve anticancer efficacy and minimize systemic toxicity while exploring their therapeutic potential in monotherapy and synergistic treatment settings. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future perspectives, providing a theoretical and technical foundation for next-generation nano-PROTACs as a precise and potent strategy in precision oncology.
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/s40843-026-4238-2
Infrared nonlinear optical (IR NLO) materials are critical for laser frequency conversion, yet their performance is often constrained by a trade-off between second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency and laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT). Here, we report a new ternary diamond-like compound, AlGaS3, which successfully balances these competing demands. AlGaS3 crystallizes in a noncentrosymmetric structure composed of wide HOMO-LUMO gap [AlS4] tetrahedra and NLO-active [GaS4] tetrahedra. The compound exhibits a wide experimental optical band gap of approximately 3.38 eV, which is significantly larger than that of the benchmark AgGaS2 (AGS, ~2.70 eV). This wide band gap contributes to a high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of approximately 6.0 times that of AGS, as determined by powder-based measurements. Notably, AlGaS3 also demonstrates a phase-matching SHG response of approximately 0.5 times that of AGS at a fundamental wavelength of 2.09 μm, with particle size-dependent behavior confirming phase-matchability. The combination of wide band gap, high LIDT, and moderate SHG response positions AlGaS3 as a promising candidate for high-power IR NLO applications. This work provides a viable strategy for designing IR NLO materials with enhanced laser damage resistance by incorporating wide-gap tetrahedral units.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4300-3
The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs) has surpassed 21% with the donor polymer D18, yet its processing from non-halogenated solvents like ortho-xylene (o-XY) remains inefficient due to uncontrolled film formation kinetics. Here, we systematically synthesize D18 polymers with molecular weights ranging from 41.6 kDa to 70.9 kDa to modulate crystallization kinetics. In-situ film drying studies reveal that lower molecular weights accelerate solidification, leading to excessive aggregation, while higher molecular weights slow it, causing insufficient phase separation. A medium molecular weight (D18-M) achieves a balanced crystallization rate, promoting favorable morphology and yielding a PCE of 20.55% with L8-BO as acceptor—one of the highest reported for non-halogenated solvent-processed OSCs. Energy loss analysis indicates that although low-molecular-weight polymers exhibit higher intrinsic luminescence, the blend film's emission is governed by exciton environment, which is dictated by morphology. This work underscores the critical role of molecular weight in controlling film formation and morphology, offering a simple yet effective strategy for high-efficiency, environmentally friendly OSCs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4354-9
This review systematically examines the synthesis-structure-property relationships of hybrid graphene and carbon fiber reinforced composites, encompassing polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix systems. The hybridization of graphene with carbon fibers addresses the intrinsic limitations of conventional composites, such as weak interfacial bonding and insufficient multifunctionality. The review consolidates recent advances in fabrication strategies, including electrophoretic deposition, layer-by-layer assembly, and precursor impregnation, which enable controlled graphene distribution and orientation. Critical analyses of mechanical, tribological, electrochemical, and anti-ablation properties reveal that graphene addition significantly enhances interfacial shear strength, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity. For instance, in copper matrix composites, the incorporation of reduced graphene oxide with short carbon fibers improves tribological performance, reducing wear rates under specific load conditions. In ceramic matrix composites, graphene-modified C/C-SiC composites exhibit superior anti-ablation resistance, with mass loss rates reduced by up to 30% at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, graphene-coated carbon fiber electrodes demonstrate high specific capacitance and cycling stability in energy storage applications. The review also addresses challenges such as dispersion uniformity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, proposing future directions for industrial adoption. By providing a comprehensive framework, this work guides the design of next-generation hybrid composites tailored for aerospace, automotive, and energy storage sectors.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3607-9
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/s40843-026-4199-8
High-entropy borides (HEBs) represent an emerging class of high-entropy materials that have garnered significant attention as ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs). By leveraging the high configuration entropy effect, HEBs stabilize single-phase solid solutions, exhibiting a suite of properties unattainable in traditional binary borides. This review systematically consolidates research progress on HEBs, beginning with theoretical predictions and component design via first-principles methods. It then details typical HEB systems and principal synthesis techniques, including arc melting and spark plasma sintering. The core analysis evaluates the outstanding performance of HEBs, emphasizing exceptional mechanical properties such as ultra-high hardness and excellent fracture toughness, alongside high-temperature friction and wear behavior, and oxidation resistance. Finally, the review outlines application prospects in extreme environments like aerospace and cutting tools, while also addressing current challenges. The paper underscores the potential of HEBs to overcome the hardness-toughness trade-off inherent in conventional ceramics, driven by strong metal-boron hybridization. This comprehensive overview positions HEBs as promising candidates for next-generation thermal and mechanical protection systems, with future research directions focusing on optimizing compositions and processing to tailor properties for specific applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3628-3
The solution aggregation structures of conjugated polymers are pivotal in determining their film morphology and optoelectronic properties, yet the relationship between solution aggregation and device performance remains elusive in organic photodiode (OPD) systems. Herein, we introduce the first examination of solution aggregation structures of all-polymer OPD blends, with a focus on how molecular entanglement modulates aggregation behavior and subsequent photodiode performance of low-cost poly(3-pentylthiophene). Using small-angle neutron scattering and freeze-dried imaging, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the solution-state aggregation behavior of poly(3-pentylthiophene) and its evolution in the blend, revealing profound impacts on film morphology and device performance. With finely optimized aggregation, the resulting all-polymer OPD achieves a record-high specific detectivity of ~4×10^13 Jones at zero bias, outperforming all bulk heterojunction (BHJ)-type self-powered OPDs reported to date. This device also demonstrates remarkable thermal stability, with negligible performance degradation after over 800 h of thermal annealing at 85 °C. Furthermore, the self-powered OPD exhibits excellent performance across a broad spectral range, enabling its application in both water quality monitoring and biosensing. This work offers new insights into the solution aggregation behavior of conjugated polymers in OPDs and highlights the importance of resolving solution aggregation in optimizing device function.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3657-9
Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs) have achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCE) up to 34.9%, surpassing the Shockley-Queisser limit of single-junction devices. The interconnection layer (ICL) critically bridges top and bottom subcells, enabling charge carrier recombination. Conventional indium oxide (In2O3)-based TCOs suffer from high-energy ion bombardment during sputtering, damaging amorphous silicon subcells and reducing open-circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor (FF). Additionally, indium scarcity and cost necessitate indium-free alternatives. Here, we introduce a highly degenerate indium-free samarium-doped cadmium oxide (CdO:Sm) TCO as the ICL for perovskite/SHJ TSCs, deposited via low-damage reactive plasma deposition (RPD). The ultrathin CdO:Sm film (~3 nm) exhibits average transmittance of 85% (400–1200 nm) and 90% (800–1200 nm), enabling efficient near-infrared absorption in the bottom subcell. High doping concentration and mobility ensure excellent electrical conductivity. The low work function (4.04 eV) of CdO:Sm facilitates carrier tunneling and efficient recombination. Devices employing CdO:Sm ICL achieved approximately 1% higher efficiency compared to those with indium-based TCO ICLs. Detailed characterization including contact resistivity (1.68 mΩ cm2), conductive atomic force microscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, and photoluminescence quenching confirm enhanced carrier transport and extraction. This work demonstrates a viable indium-free ICL for high-efficiency perovskite/SHJ TSCs, addressing both performance and sustainability challenges.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3919-0
Nuclear energy is critical for sustainable economic development and achieving carbon neutrality. With only about 6.14 million tons of terrestrial uranium, sufficient for ~70 years of global nuclear power plant operation, the recovery of uranium from seawater and spent fuel is essential for long-term nuclear fuel supply. The ocean contains approximately 4.5 billion tons of uranium, which could sustain nuclear power for ~2000 years if efficiently extracted. However, seawater uranium extraction faces significant challenges due to the extremely low uranium concentration (~3.3 ppb), high concentrations of competing ions, natural organic matter, and marine biofouling. This perspective reviews representative laboratory advances, including sulfonated covalent organic frameworks (S-COF) achieving a sorption capacity of 31.5 mg/(g·day) with high selectivity, amidoxime-based organic cages with a capacity of 11.97 mg/g over 30 days, and a micro-redox reactor strategy that continuously regenerates binding sites. Electrochemical methods have also shown promise for converting soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV) oxides. Despite these advances, the transition from laboratory powders to durable marine materials remains problematic. Key gaps include the need for antibacterial properties, mechanical stability under wave action, cost competitiveness with terrestrial mining, and environmental safety of nanomaterials. Artificial intelligence (AI) is proposed to accelerate the design of high-performance, stable materials. This perspective emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary research to bridge the gap between bench-scale innovations and practical ocean deployment.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61104-3
Lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) batteries are among the most promising high-energy-density primary batteries, yet substantial heat generation during discharge poses safety concerns, particularly for high-mass-loaded pouch cells. This study systematically investigates the effects of fluorination temperature on the structure and kinetics of fluorinated porous carbon (FPC) cathodes and on heat generation in Ah-level Li/FPC pouch cells. FPC samples with varying degrees of fluorination were synthesized by adjusting fluorination temperature, which influenced not only the F/C ratio but also the C–F bonding configuration, pore structure, and electronic transport capability. Pouch cells employing more highly fluorinated cathodes generated the most heat during discharge, with heat generation exhibiting clear stage dependence, predominantly in the 0–20% depth of discharge (DOD) range. Post-discharge structural characterization and kinetic analysis revealed that highly fluorinated FPC cathodes (FPC-250) undergo more concentrated LiF accumulation, leading to higher charge-transfer resistance, stronger polarization, lower Li+ diffusivity, and higher nucleation overpotential. These factors collectively intensify early-stage heat generation. The study establishes a correlation between fluorination temperature and cathode structure, discharge-product evolution, discharge kinetics, and heat generation, demonstrating that regulating fluorination temperature is an effective strategy for improving the thermal safety of Li/CFx batteries.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225250
Slag foaming is a critical phenomenon in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, enhancing thermal efficiency, suppressing metal splashing, and stabilizing the refining process. Accurate prediction and control of slag foaming are essential for green and efficient steelmaking. This review systematically examines research progress on slag foaming prediction, clarifying the applicability, advantages, and limitations of different predictive methods to support intelligent control of foamy slags. Following the framework of 'influencing factors-prediction methods-development trends', the study summarizes the coupling effects of multiple variables such as basicity, viscosity, surface tension, suspended particles, gas parameters, and temperature on foam formation and stability. It compares five major prediction approaches: empirical formulas, dimensionless modeling, thermodynamic calculations, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and machine learning models, analyzing their core concepts, merits, and constraints. Results indicate that single models often struggle to balance real-time capability and accuracy, particularly under multi-variable coupling and complex operating conditions. Therefore, a hybrid prediction framework combining mechanism-based and data-driven models is proposed, emphasizing physical constraints, multi-scale coupling, and multi-source data fusion. This integrated approach is expected to advance slag foaming prediction from 'computable' to 'controllable and adjustable', offering methodological insights for the development of green and intelligent EAF steelmaking.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3938-0
Chirality is a fundamental property ubiquitous in nature, playing a pivotal role across physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science. With the advent of nanotechnology, chiral research has extended to the nanoscale, where chiral quantum dots have attracted attention due to high photoluminescence quantum yields and stability. However, conventional II–VI quantum dots often contain toxic heavy metals, exhibit poor water solubility and biocompatibility, and require complex preparation. Carbon dots (CDs), a novel class of carbon-based nanomaterials under 10 nm, offer low toxicity, straightforward synthesis, and excellent biocompatibility. Chiral carbon dots (Ch-CDs) combine the advantages of CDs with intrinsic chirality, endowing them with circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) and distinctive photophysical and chemical properties. This review systematically refines and summarizes construction strategies for Ch-CDs, including one-step synthesis, surface modification, and assembly methods. It comprehensively elaborates on recent advances in optical properties, focusing on tunable multicolor CPL, CPL enhancement, and triplet-state emission, addressing a gap in reviews on triplet-related chiral functionalities. The challenges and future perspectives for diversified applications are proposed. Ch-CDs have been extensively applied in photoelectric detection, optical devices, biomedicine, information anti-counterfeiting, and encryption. This review aims to summarize current achievements and stimulate further research, fostering rapid development in the Ch-CDs field.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3993-y
Conventional liquid-phase in-situ synthesis of Cu-TiB2 composites often suffers from coarse and non-uniformly distributed reinforcements, stemming from insufficient understanding and control over the in-situ nucleation and growth mechanisms of TiB2 particles. This study introduces a novel melt dispersion-turbulent mixing (MDTM) in-situ reaction technology to fabricate high-performance Cu-TiB2 composites. The MDTM strategy synergistically refines reaction micro-regions by reducing the initial melt droplet size via melt dispersion while enhancing solute convection via turbulence, promoting high-density nucleation and refinement of TiB2 particles. Based on turbulence characteristics and in-situ reaction kinetics, we optimized the melt disperser parameters and established a quantitative model linking particle size to disperser rotation speed and reactant solute concentration. It was found that disperser rotation speed governs three distinct nucleation and growth mechanisms for TiB2 particles. Low-density nucleation at low disperser rotation speeds (0–50 r/min) leads to coarse TiB2 particles. At medium rotation speeds (100–150 r/min), the refinement of micro-regions in the dual-melt reaction achieves high-density TiB2 nucleation. Conversely, at high rotation speeds (150–200 r/min), intense turbulence weakens the nucleation driving force and induces TiB2 particle coarsening. This work provides new insights into liquid-phase in-situ reaction mechanisms and offers a novel, controllable route for fabricating high-performance micro/nano particle-reinforced metal matrix composites.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3833-1
Developing plasmonic nanomaterials with compositions beyond noble metals is crucial for expanding their applications. Transition metal nitrides, such as titanium nitride (TiN), exhibit excellent plasmonic optical properties and photothermal conversion efficiency, showing promise in catalysis, photothermal therapy, and seawater desalination. However, the structure-property relationship governing their plasmonic optical properties remains unclear. Here, we constructed Au@TiN core-shell nanostructures and systematically investigated the tunability of their geometry, composition, and optical properties. By varying the Au core size and TiN shell thickness, we achieved precise control over the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from visible to near-infrared wavelengths. Single-particle scattering spectroscopy revealed distinct plasmon hybridization modes, with experimental spectra matching theoretical simulations. The Au@TiN nanostructures exhibited enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency (η = 78.5%) under 808 nm laser irradiation, significantly outperforming pure TiN nanoparticles (η = 45.2%). This work demonstrates multi-factor control over plasmonic effects in TiN, providing insights for designing TiN-based plasmonic nanomaterials for catalysis and sensing.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508101
The emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from fossil fuel combustion and metal smelting industries poses severe risks to environmental and human health. This study utilized depleted lead-zinc molten slag as a desulfurizer for wet flue gas desulfurization, and the resulting desulfurization slurry was further employed for NOx removal, achieving resource utilization. The desulfurization efficiency of the slag was determined, and NaClO2 was identified as the most effective oxidant when combined with the slag slurry for NOx removal. The effects of NaClO2 concentration, reaction temperature, flue gas flow rate, oxygen concentration, NOx concentration, and pH on removal efficiency were investigated. Optimal conditions were found at NaClO2 concentration of 2.5 mmol·L−1, temperature 45 °C, flue gas flow 200 mL·min−1, O2 volume fraction 10%, NOx volume fraction 0.03%, and pH 6, achieving a NOx removal efficiency of 97.24%. Metal ion experiments revealed that Fe3+, Zn2+, Mn2+, and K+ exhibited synergistic effects with NaClO2, with Fe3+ showing the most significant enhancement. Fe3+ promoted the decomposition of NaClO2 to generate stronger oxidants such as ClO2, thereby enhancing NOx oxidation and absorption. This approach offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional selective catalytic reduction, avoiding ammonia slip and secondary pollution.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510029
Low hydrolysis efficiency is a core bottleneck in anaerobic digestion (AD) of lignocellulosic agricultural residues, limiting methane production and resource utilization. This study optimized thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP) of corn straw (CS) using response surface methodology (RSM) to enhance methane yield. The optimal conditions were determined as solid-to-liquid ratio of 51.0–57.5 mg·mL−1, pretreatment time of 74–81 min, and temperature of 182.5–197.5 °C. Under the optimal combination (52.3 mg·mL−1, 78.4 min, 191 °C), cumulative methane yield increased from 218.0 to 362.9 mL·g−1 VS, a 66.7% improvement over untreated CS. Characterization via XRD, FTIR, and SEM revealed that THP disrupted the lignocellulosic structure, reducing lignin content from 21.5% to 8.3% and crystallinity index (CrI) from 70.83% to 61.95%. Inhibitory derivatives generated during THP included furfural (1.69 mg·mL−1), 5-methylfurfural (2.44 mg·mL−1), and phenol (23.14 mg·L−1), with a theoretical combined inhibition rate of 7.26%. The promotion effect on methane production (66.7%) far exceeded the theoretical inhibition (7.26%), indicating that THP under optimized conditions is effective and environmentally controllable. This study provides a systematic framework for optimizing THP parameters to maximize methane production from agricultural residues.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60628-1
The coupling of CO2 with olefins to produce cyclic carbonates has emerged as an important research topic in sustainable chemistry, owing to its high atom economy and the wide applicability of the resulting products. However, this reaction faces a significant challenge due to the mismatch between the rates of the epoxidation and cycloaddition steps. In this work, a series of TS-1 zeolite catalysts encapsulating different amounts of molybdenum acetylacetonate were prepared through hydrothermal synthesis followed by post-treatment, with the aim of elucidating the rate balance between the epoxidation and cycloaddition steps and the underlying regulation mechanism. Characterization results show that the Mo species were present as highly dispersed molybdenum acetylacetonate complexes that were stably confined within the TS-1 framework. These complexes interact electronically with the tetra-coordinated Ti sites to form synergistic active centers, while imposing negligible effects on the zeolite structure and porosity. In the CO2-styrene coupling reaction, tuning the Mo loading enabled effective control over the epoxidation rate, thereby achieving an appropriate balance with the subsequent cycloaddition step. The optimized catalyst delivered excellent performance under mild conditions, with a styrene conversion of 83.4% and a selectivity of 75.3%, and also exhibited outstanding recyclability. Overall, this encapsulated catalyst successfully addresses the dual challenges of rate matching and active-site stability in CO2–olefin coupling, providing valuable insights for the rational design of efficient, durable bifunctional catalysts.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0037
Alumina microspheres with a lamellar-assembled flower-like morphology were synthesized via a urea-assisted hydrothermal method and used as supports to prepare Pd/Al2O3-M catalysts by incipient wetness impregnation. The catalytic performance was evaluated in the selective hydrogenation of isoprene and the hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone for hydrogen peroxide production, and compared with a commercial alumina-supported Pd catalyst (Pd/Al2O3). Characterization revealed that the flower-like structure, composed of stacked nanosheets, promoted high Pd dispersion and enhanced metal-support interaction, leading to a higher surface Pd content and more abundant active sites. Under 60 °C and 1 MPa H2, Pd/Al2O3-M achieved 95.2% conversion of isoprene with 98.3% total selectivity to isoamylenes, and exhibited good stability over 24 h. In anthraquinone hydrogenation, it reached a hydrogenation efficiency of 15.8 g/L, a 27.4% improvement over Pd/Al2O3 (12.4 g/L). The study demonstrates that modulating carrier morphology is an effective strategy to simultaneously enhance activity, selectivity, and stability of Pd catalysts, offering a promising approach for designing efficient hydrogenation catalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3962-y
Photochromic Förster resonance energy transfer (pc-FRET)-based subnanometric polymersomes with accurate color control offer a transformative yet challenging tactic for advanced and custom-tailored information encryption. Herein, various amphiphilic alternating pyrene/azobenzene-containing copolymers were polymerized using one-pot Ugi four-component polycondensation. Subsequent self-assembly was performed to produce highly-integrated monolayer subnanometric polymersomes (MSNPSs) and their composites, with diameters of around ~250 nm and vesicular thicknesses of approximately ~12.0 Å. J-aggregated monolayer chain-folding mechanism was accountable for the donor-acceptor-donor stacking manner within the vesicular membrane, beneficial to achieve highly efficient energy transfer. The trans-to-cis photoisomerization of azobenzenes rendered MSNPSs and their composites with photo-triggered structural transitions in diameter and vesicular thickness. Benefitting from considerable spectral overlap between cis-azobenzene and pyrene, MSNPSs and their composites were capable of photo-controllable non-invasive pc-FRET performance with a wide Stokes shift (~320 nm). The accurate color variation from blue to red highly depended upon precise modulation of both irradiation duration and precursor-fixed donor/acceptor ratios. The proof-of-concept individually multichromatic 2D QR code was attained using photochromic MSNPSs and their composites in patterning lithography, displaying a multimodal decryption and favorable repeatability for high-level and personalized information protection. Our work paves a prospective avenue to meticulously craft stimuli-chromatic polymersomes for the potential of advanced information encryption.
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/s40843-025-4017-y
Lattice distortion via entropy engineering can significantly optimize thermoelectric performance by intensifying phonon scattering. However, excessive lattice distortion in high-entropy materials inevitably hinders carrier transport, limiting the wide-temperature average ZT (ZTave). To enhance the wide-temperature thermoelectric performance of low-cost PbS-based compounds, this work introduces moderate lattice distortion by controlling entropy around 1.0R (R is the gas constant) to balance phonon and carrier transport, alleviating restrictions on carrier mobility. Substantial Se and Te alloying in PbS induces rock-salt lattice distortion, effectively impeding phonon propagation, thus suppressing lattice thermal conductivity (κlat) from 2.41 W m−1 K−1 in PbS to 0.66 W m−1 K−1 in PbS0.5Se0.35Te0.15 at 300 K. Additionally, Cu interstitials are introduced into the lattice-distorted PbS0.5Se0.35Te0.15 to further optimize carrier density and weighted carrier mobility (μW), leading to significant improvement in μW/κlat parameter at 300–773 K. Finally, a room-temperature ZT of 0.53 and a maximum ZT of 1.44 are obtained in PbS0.5Se0.35Te0.15-1%Cu sample, contributing to an impressive ZTave of 1.08 at 300–773 K and a maximum power generation efficiency (ηmax) of 7.5%. The results outperform previously reported cost-effective PbS-based compounds and highlight the importance of lattice distortion regulation in enhancing wide-temperature thermoelectric performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3580-0
Hydrogel-based one-dimensional fibers offer a route to smart textiles, yet cyclic deformation fractures low-energy amorphous crosslinks, causing fatigue and hysteresis that degrade mechanical performance. This study integrates an Ecoflex elastomer backbone into an organic hydrogel to fabricate composite fibers (OHEF) with enhanced fatigue resistance and eliminated hysteresis. After 10,000 cycles at 200% strain, mechanical properties show no significant degradation. The strain sensor exhibits a gauge factor of ~3.0, response time of 140 ms, recovery time of 130 ms, and repeatability over 10,000 cycles at 70% strain. The OHEF also resists dehydration and freezing, enabling smart textiles that detect deformation, temperature, proximity, and pressure, and perform passive sensing via triboelectric nanogenerator principles. These results demonstrate a viable path for durable, multi-sensing hydrogel fibers in wearable electronics.