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/s40843-026-4206-6
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/s40843-026-4180-9
Developing highly active and stable electrocatalysts based on the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) represents a significant challenge in water splitting. Herein, we successfully introduce oxygen vacancies (Ov) into high-entropy MnFeCoNiCu layered double hydroxides (HE-LDHs) via a solution chemical reduction method utilizing a defect engineering strategy. By precisely tuning the concentration of oxygen vacancies, we effectively activate the lattice oxygen within the HE-LDHs. The optimized Ov-rich high-entropy LDHs (Ov-HE-LDHs) exhibit excellent OER catalytic performance, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a remarkably low overpotential of only 210 mV in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte, which is substantially superior to pristine HE-LDHs (315 mV) and commercial IrO2 (330 mV). Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates outstanding long-term stability, capable of stable operation for 500 h at a high current density of approximately 200 mA cm−2. Advanced X-ray absorption fine structure analysis elucidates the lower metal valence states, indicating the existence of oxygen vacancies, while isotope labeling experiments and in-situ electrochemical Raman spectroscopy strongly confirm the successful activation of the LOM pathway. Density functional theory calculations further validate that the shift in the OER mechanism towards LOM and the resulting reduction in the reaction energy barrier are the fundamental reasons for the catalyst’s enhanced intrinsic activity. This work proposes a novel strategy for activating lattice oxygen in high-entropy LDHs through defect engineering, offering new insights and experimental guidance for the design and development of highly efficient and stable high-entropy OER electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4197-4
Deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) remain the most challenging primary-color emitters due to stringent exciton energy requirements. We strategically designed two innovative deep-blue emitters, SCZ-4AnCN and STPA-4AnCN, via systematic functionalization of an anthracene core with arylamino-decorated spirofluorene donors and cyano-substituted phenyl acceptors. Comprehensive theoretical and experimental analyses demonstrate that these spirofluorene-anthracene hybrids adopt precisely engineered distorted configurations, effectively suppressing detrimental intermolecular π–π stacking in condensed phases. The sp3-hybridized bridgehead carbons in spirofluorene units play a pivotal role by simultaneously restricting π-conjugation extension and fine-tuning donor–acceptor interactions, thereby stabilizing the lowest excited singlet (S1) state with dominant local excitation (LE) character. This molecular engineering yields exceptional deep-blue emission with remarkable efficiency. Notably, the materials exhibit unique high-lying reverse intersystem crossing (hRISC) behavior, enabling efficient triplet harvesting. Optimized doped devices incorporating SCZ-4AnCN achieve outstanding performance, including a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE_max) exceeding 10% and CIE coordinates (0.154, 0.052) approaching the BT.2020 blue standard. Nondoped devices maintain impressive performance with an EQE_max of 7.51% and superior operational stability, demonstrating less than 10% efficiency roll-off at 1000 cd m−2. This work validates anthracene-based molecular architectures for deep-blue electroluminescence and establishes a transformative design paradigm for next-generation OLED emitters.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3848-7
Conventional heterogeneous photocatalysts often suffer from insufficient light absorption, rapid charge recombination, and a lack of specific reactive sites for efficient photocatalytic oxidation. To overcome these limitations, we propose a molecular polarization engineering approach utilizing structurally well-defined donor (D)-acceptor (A) covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs). The construction of dipole-induced built-in electric fields within the D-A-structured CTFs enables enhanced exciton dissociation and facilitates directional charge transfer. Specifically, the asymmetric A1-D-A2 moiety enhances molecular polarization in the dual-acceptor system CTF-TBT (A1-D-A2), enabling efficient charge separation through multiple electron-withdrawing units. This structural design promotes directional electron transfer toward the secondary acceptor (benzothiazole, A2), while simultaneously concentrating holes on the donor unit. Consequently, the A2 moiety acts as a site for efficient O2 activation via electron accumulation, whereas the highly oxidized donor unit provides strongly positive holes (h+) that facilitate substrate oxidation. Experimental and DFT calculation results confirm that CTF-TBT demonstrates highly enhanced photocatalytic oxidation performance, which can be attributed to its multi-channel charge separation mechanism and spatially separated redox-active sites. This study highlights the effectiveness of molecular dipole engineering in designing heterogeneous photocatalysts with controlled charge transfer pathways and improved redox capabilities. The proposed design principles provide a universal approach for promoting solar-driven chemical synthesis applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3706-3
Aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries are severely limited by slow cathode reaction kinetics and large polarization. Herein, we design and prepare a Mott-Schottky catalyst by uniformly embedding ultrafine Ru nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped carbon (Ru@NC) nanoflakes to accelerate oxygen redox kinetics of Li-O2 batteries. The Mott-Schottky effect of Ru@NC drives spontaneous electron rearrangement in the NC matrix and induces a strong built-in electric field at heterointerfaces, which accelerates the activation and conversion of oxygen intermediates. The obtained Ru@NC possesses rich Mott-Schottky heterointerfaces and defective carbon structures, which provide extensive adsorption and nucleation sites. More importantly, Ru@NC manifests moderate affinity for the intermediate LiO2, inducing formation of unique nanosheet-like Li2O2 with low Li2O2/cathode interfacial impedance, which further enhances oxidation kinetics. These enable the Li-O2 battery with Ru@NC to deliver a remarkably reduced polarization of 0.89 V, superior rate performance, and prolonged lifespan of over 200 cycles. This work will provide valuable guidelines for engineering advanced electrocatalysts for high-performance Li-O2 batteries and beyond.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3729-9
Polymer capacitors are essential for modern power electronics, but their operation is limited by poor energy density at elevated temperatures. Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), the industry standard, fails above ~105 °C. This highlight discusses a breakthrough by Yang et al. that uses a generative machine-learning pipeline to discover organic fillers with both wide bandgap (Eg) and high electron affinity (Ea), properties typically mutually exclusive. The model screened over fifty thousand structures to identify more than two hundred high-scoring candidates. Two representatives, 4,6-dinitrobenzene-1,3-dicarbonitrile and 2,4,6-tricyano-1,3,5-triazine, were synthesized, exhibiting Eg ≈ 5.5 eV and Ea ≈ 4.5 eV. Dispersed in a polyimide host, these fillers create deep electron traps that suppress leakage current and delay avalanche breakdown. Composite films achieved an energy density of 5.1 J cm−3 at 250 °C with 90% efficiency, outperforming conventional polymers. The team scaled production using a roll-to-roll line, producing kilometer-scale films with uniform dispersion. This work demonstrates a viable path to high-temperature polymer capacitors for traction inverters and DC-link applications.
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.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024102403
The rapid combustion of soot at low temperatures is critical for diesel engine cold-start emission control. This study investigates the effects of water vapor (H2O) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) on electricity-pulse-sparked catalysis (EPSC) for soot combustion over a ceramic filter paper-based potassium-supported antimony-doped tin oxide (K/ATO/CP) monolithic catalyst. Under EPSC with 2000 J pulses, the presence of H2O and NOx adversely affected soot combustion performance, yet average reaction rates remained high at 12.0 μmol·gcat−1·s−1 and 9.53 μmol·gcat−1·s−1, respectively, exceeding conventional thermal catalysis (<8 μmol·gcat−1·s−1). In situ Raman and concentration profiles revealed that electricity pulses promote rapid H2O desorption, effectively alleviating H2O poisoning and restoring catalyst activity. In contrast, NOx adsorption forms stable nitrates (e.g., KNO3) that desorb slower than the soot combustion process, leading to incomplete recovery of activity. These findings highlight the importance of adsorbate desorption kinetics in EPSC and suggest that using weakly basic alkaline-earth metals (e.g., Mg, Ca, Sr) with lower nitrate decomposition temperatures could mitigate NOx poisoning. The results provide guidance for advancing EPSC technology in hybrid vehicle exhaust aftertreatment systems.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604003
Emerging contaminants (ECs) in wastewater from urban transportation infrastructure remain poorly characterized. This study employed high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based non-target screening to systematically identify the composition and spatial distribution of ECs in wastewater from three functional zones of a metro maintenance depot: storeroom (S1), office/residential area (S2), and final discharge outlet (S3). A total of 417 contaminants were detected, spanning eight categories including industrial materials, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and natural products. Among these, 48 substances were identified with Level 1 confidence via spectral matching. Pesticides exhibited the highest detection frequency and concentration levels, representing the primary contaminant load. Semi-quantitative concentration heatmaps of 24 pesticides revealed significant spatial variation: S2 showed the highest number and concentration of contaminants, reflecting inputs from landscaping and vector control; S1 and S3 showed lower levels, indicating dilution, migration, and attenuation. Representative pesticide bifenox displayed a clear concentration gradient (S2 > S1 > S3), suggesting transport mechanisms such as surface runoff, hydraulic transfer, and sorption. These findings underscore the complexity and diversity of EC sources in metro depot wastewater, highlight the need to prioritize pesticides in regulatory management, and provide fundamental data for understanding EC environmental behavior and informing water environment risk assessment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3451-2
Visual aesthetics is a key metric of semi-transparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs) for building-integrated solar windows, yet previous studies have primarily focused on the compromise between efficiency and transparency. This work addresses the overlooked aspect of full visual aesthetic control, particularly the bidirectional reflected color for architectural harmony, via designing ST-OPVs with double-sided ultra-thin Ag/TeO2 transparent electrodes. This design facilitates full-spectrum color tunability covering the whole standard color gamut of CIE coordinates on both surfaces, achieved simply by adjusting layer thicknesses. The resulting devices exhibit neutral transparency (16.6%–27.0% average visible transmittance) and competitive power conversion efficiencies (8.1%–9.2%). Additionally, the devices demonstrate strong flexibility, with flexibility-adaptive coloration and curvature-enhanced aesthetics. This work presents an ST-OPV design featuring full visual aesthetics and considerable performance, paving the way for commercialization of organic solar windows for building and vehicle integration.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507088
Methanol is highly biodegradable, yet its efficient and stable anaerobic treatment is constrained by prolonged microbial adaptation to toxic substances, narrow microbial community structure, and poor sludge granulation. This study applied two functional additives—sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as an inorganic carbon source (IC) and an amino-acid-rich organic functional supplement (FS)—to accelerate the startup of two upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors. UASB-A received 3,000 mg·L−1 NaHCO3 and 127 mg·L−1 FS, while UASB-B received only 3,000 mg·L−1 NaHCO3. Both additives enabled rapid startup and granulation by shortening hydraulic retention time (HRT) and increasing organic loading rates (4, 6, 9, 15, 20, and 30 g COD·L−1·d−1). Granulation was evidenced by increased total suspended solids (TSS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), and particle size distribution. Microbial community analysis at HRT 0.2 d revealed highest relative abundances of Acetobacterium at 30.2% (UASB-A) and 36.9% (UASB-B). NaHCO3 supplementation enhanced syntrophy between Acetobacterium and the acetoclastic methanogen Methanothrix, while FS significantly increased the abundance of Sporomusa, establishing a novel syntrophic relationship with Methanothrix. These interactions promoted sludge granulation. The study demonstrates that functional additives facilitate rapid startup and granulation in methanol anaerobic treatment, offering a strategy to overcome process bottlenecks.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60612-8
Coal gasification fine slag (CGFS) is a solid waste generated in large quantities during coal gasification, containing residual carbon and inorganic ash rich in SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, and MgO. The carbon-rich components (CGFS-H) of CGFS, typically comprising 20–50% residual carbon, present both environmental challenges and opportunities for resource recovery. This study systematically investigates the selective leaching behavior of Fe3+, Al3+, and Ca2+ from CGFS-H using three organic acid extractants: citric acid, tartaric acid, and tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (IDS-4Na). The results demonstrate distinct selectivity: IDS-4Na exhibits the highest leaching yield and selectivity for Fe3+, achieving a single leaching yield of 41.2% while suppressing Ca2+ and Al3+ leaching to below 4%, with a selectivity ratio of Fe3+ to Al3+ and Ca2+ of 10.73. Tartaric acid effectively leaches both Fe3+ and Al3+, with single yields of 38.7% and 33.5%, respectively, while Ca2+ leaching remains below 5%, yielding a selectivity of Fe3+ and Al3+ relative to Ca2+ of 14.73. Citric acid preferentially leaches Ca2+, achieving a single yield of 71.5%, but also leaches Fe3+ and Al3+ at 35.2% and 39.1%, respectively, resulting in a low selectivity ratio of Ca2+ to Fe3+ and Al3+ of 0.96. Based on these selective affinities, a green stepwise separation method was developed using sequential leaching with IDS-4Na, tartaric acid, and citric acid. Under optimal conditions, cumulative leaching yields of 79.8% for Fe3+, 65.08% for Al3+, and 78.6% for Ca2+ were achieved. XRD, XRF, and SEM analyses elucidate the complexation mechanisms, indicating that the synergistic effects of selective coordination between structurally diverse organic acids and metal ions drive the process. This advancement provides a critical foundation for developing Ca/Fe/Al hydrotalcite materials using CGFS-H as a sustainable feedstock, promoting resource-efficient utilization of coal gasification fine slag.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60620-7
Direct coal liquefaction (DCL) diesel constitutes over 60% of DCL products, yet its cetane number (30–40) falls short of the automotive diesel standard (≥45). Rapid and accurate compositional analysis is essential for optimizing properties via component blending. Traditional gas chromatography offers high accuracy but is unsuitable for online industrial monitoring. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy enables rapid, non-destructive analysis, but spectral interpretation is complex. This study integrates NIR spectroscopy with machine learning (ML) to construct a spectral-composition database for DCL diesel. Feature extraction using correlation coefficient and mutual information methods screened key wavelength variables, reducing dimensionality from ~1800 to ~200 wavelengths. Three ML models—Lasso, SVR, and XGBoost—were compared. Excluding spectral data with absorbance >1 significantly improved model accuracy, increasing test set R² from 0.85 to 0.96. After feature extraction, the optimal variable count was 177, enhancing computational efficiency. Among models, SVR-MI-0.9 (mutual information feature selection) achieved the best performance, with training and test set R² values exceeding 0.98, enabling precise prediction of paraffin, naphthene, and aromatic contents. This research provides a robust methodology for intelligent online quality monitoring. An intelligent NIR spectroscopy data analysis software was independently developed based on the established model. Compared with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, the software reduced analysis time by over 98%, with absolute prediction error below 0.2%. Thus, rapid analysis of DCL diesel components was successfully realized.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225195
The separation of multicomponent azeotropic mixtures remains a persistent challenge in industrial wastewater treatment due to complex phase equilibrium behavior involving minimum/maximum boiling azeotropes and liquid-liquid phase separation. Pharmaceutical wastewater often contains a ternary mixture of acetonitrile, n-propanol, and water, which exhibits significant non-ideality and multiple azeotropic points, including binary azeotropes for acetonitrile-water, n-propanol-water, and acetonitrile-n-propanol pairs, as well as a ternary azeotrope. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation encompassing thermodynamic modeling, solvent screening, process design, and multi-objective optimization. A reliable thermodynamic framework was established using an activity coefficient model (NRTL), validated against experimental data. Systematic analysis of vapor-liquid equilibrium diagrams identified ethylene glycol as the optimal extractant due to its superior selectivity. Three distinct separation processes were developed: a conventional three-column distillation sequence (TCED), a four-column pre-concentration extractive distillation configuration (FCED), and an innovative three-column integrated pre-concentration extractive distillation system incorporating a thermally coupled column (TCED-IDC). Multi-objective optimization using the improved nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) targeted total annualized cost (TAC), CO2 emissions (ECO2), and thermodynamic efficiency (η), subject to stringent purity constraints (≥99.9 wt% for products and ≥99.99 wt% for extractant recycle). The integrated three-column configuration achieved 41.2% lower TAC, 50.4% lower CO2 emissions, and 102% higher thermodynamic efficiency compared to the conventional TCED process. This integrated pre-concentration extractive distillation process is established as an industrially viable, energy-efficient solution for acetonitrile-n-propanol-water separation, aligning with green chemistry principles.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3886-1
Organic-inorganic hybrid Mn(II) halides have attracted considerable attention for optoelectronic applications due to their environmental friendliness and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) originating from the d-d transition (4T1(G) → 6A1) of Mn2+. However, complex synthesis processes restrict their potential for low-cost, large-scale production. In this study, the Mn(II) halide (C22H22O2P)2MnBr4 was synthesized via a simple and efficient mechanochemical ball-milling approach, achieving high photoluminescence efficiency and production yield. The halide exhibits intense green emission centered at 520 nm with a PLQY of up to 96.1%. Combined experimental and theoretical characterizations confirm that the strong light emission originates from the synergistic interaction between organic cations and inorganic framework components. A white light-emitting diode (WLED) device based on (C22H22O2P)2MnBr4 was fabricated, exhibiting bright white light emission and a wide color gamut of 113% NTSC. Furthermore, a scintillation screen based on (C22H22O2P)2MnBr4 was fabricated and utilized to investigate internal structures of various objects. The screen demonstrates a high relative light yield of 70546 photons MeV−1, a low detection limit of 33.8 nGy air s−1, and a spatial resolution of up to 12.36 lp mm−1. Finally, by integrating the scintillation screen with a thin-film transistor (TFT) backplane, the resulting X-ray detector successfully enables simulated medical imaging of dental caries. This work establishes a robust foundation for large-scale synthesis of highly efficient luminescent Mn(II) halides and highlights their potential in multifunctional light-emitting applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4140-9
Metal covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs) are promising photocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the synthesis of ketimine-linked COFs remains challenging due to the low reactivity of ketones. Here, we report a straightforward strategy to construct diketimine-linked MCOFs via the condensation of acenaphthenequinone (Ace) with 1,3,6,8-tetra(4-aminophenyl)pyrene (TAPPy). The metal-free COF (TACOF-AA) exhibits AA stacking, while the addition of NiCl2·6H2O under identical conditions yields an AB-stacked Ni-based MCOF (Ni-TACOF-AB). The coordinated Ni species serve as active sites for CO2RR and enhance electron-hole separation. Photocatalytic tests demonstrate that Ni-TACOF-AB achieves a CO evolution rate of 11.71 mmol g−1 h−1 with 99.9% selectivity, which is 7.6 times higher than that of TACOF-AA. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that Ni-TACOF-AB lowers the activation energy barrier of the rate-determining step by regulating local charge distribution, facilitating electron transfer to adsorbed CO2. This work provides a novel approach for synthesizing ketimine-based COFs and highlights the importance of interlayer stacking in modulating photocatalytic performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3866-y
Precise measurement of flight parameters—including angle of attack (AOA), angle of sideslip (AOS), and airspeed—is critical for stabilized control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in complex aerodynamic environments. Conventional rigid sensors fail to conform to curved leading edges, disrupting local flow and degrading aerodynamic performance, and are ill-suited for UAV miniaturization. Emerging flexible sensing technologies using hot-film, piezoresistive, or capacitive transduction offer potential solutions. This work presents a flexible pressure-velocity sensing patch developed by Professor Jiang's team at Beihang University. The patch integrates a capacitive differential pressure sensor array and a vector flow sensor, fabricated via a multi-layer polyimide bonding process. The capacitive differential pressure sensor features dual-layer chambers, achieving a resolution of 12 mPa within 0–1 Pa, superior to traditional single-layer designs. The vector flow sensor operates on the calorimetric principle, using a micro-heater and thermistor array to characterize flow velocity and direction. A novel pressure-velocity fusion (PVF) algorithm introduces spanwise velocity (Vz) to decouple AOA and AOS, reducing computational complexity compared to classic three-sensor algorithms. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations validated the algorithm's reliability under wind tunnel conditions. The sensing patch enables simultaneous measurement of multiple flight parameters with high precision and low computational cost, addressing the limitations of rigid sensors and advancing UAV aerodynamic sensing.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025040104
The oxidative transformation of 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) was investigated in three typical zonal soils: black soil, red soil, and brown soil. Results demonstrated that 2,6-DCP underwent oxidative coupling in all soils, yielding hydroxylated polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (OH-PCDEs) and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) as primary products. The highest oxidative efficiency occurred in black soil, with approximately 85.1% of 2,6-DCP transformed within three days. In contrast, red and brown soils exhibited lower efficiencies, indicating a strong dependence on soil properties. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the oxidative coupling reaction is endothermic, with elevated temperatures favoring reaction progress. Furthermore, soil microorganisms and dissolved oxygen were identified as critical controlling factors, acting synergistically to drive the reaction. This study provides the first evidence of natural oxidative coupling of 2,6-DCP in soil, forming OH-PCDEs and OH-PCBs. These findings offer significant scientific insight into the environmental fate of halogenated phenolic pollutants in terrestrial systems.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025031304
The Qingling River, a representative silicate rock catchment in the upper Yangtze Basin, is vital for agricultural productivity in central Yunnan. To investigate its hydrochemical characteristics, river water samples were systematically collected during both dry and wet seasons. Employing hydrochemical diagrams, statistical analysis, and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) modeling, we identified influencing factors and their contributions to water chemistry and evaluated irrigation suitability. Results showed that pH ranged from 7.36 to 9.18 in dry season and 7.12 to 8.92 in wet season, with total dissolved solids (TDS) varying between 119–2684 mg·L−1 and 125–2342 mg·L−1, respectively. Dominant cations were Ca2+ and Na+, while anions were primarily SO4^2− and HCO3^− in both seasons; notably, SO4^2− concentrations significantly exceeded the Yangtze River Basin’s average. Hydrochemical types varied seasonally: HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg and HCO3·SO4-Ca dominated in dry season, whereas HCO3·SO4-Ca·Na, HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg, and HCO3-Ca prevailed in wet season. The river water was affected by five factors: sulfuric acid-dominated water-rock interactions, carbonic acid-dominated water-rock interactions, domestic sewage discharge, agricultural non-point source pollution, and unknown sources. Contribution rates were 47.90%, 24.80%, 16.98%, 2.40%, and 7.92% in dry season, and 28.23%, 28.94%, 27.48%, 2.02%, and 13.34% in wet season, respectively. Water-rock interactions emerged as the primary control on hydrochemistry. While most samples were suitable for irrigation, a few exhibited high salinity, warranting cautious use. This study provides scientific support for irrigation water resource management and safe utilization in the Qingling River Basin.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026030202
High nitrogen (N) inputs, low N use efficiency, and substantial greenhouse gas emissions constrain sustainable double-cropping rice production in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. To evaluate whether humic acid urea (HAU) can reconcile yield stability with N reduction and carbon mitigation, a field experiment was conducted in a double-cropping rice system. Five treatments were established: conventional urea at the recommended N rate (U), HAU at the recommended N rate (HAU), conventional urea with a 20% reduction in N input (U-20), HAU with a 20% reduction in N input (HAU-20), and a no-N control (CK). Rice yield, N uptake and utilization, and the full life-cycle carbon footprint were quantified. Results showed that HAU significantly increased double-cropping rice yield by 6.46% (early rice) and 8.76% (late rice) compared to U (P < 0.05). HAU-20 maintained yield equivalent to U, while U-20 significantly reduced yield. HAU-20 significantly improved nitrogen fertilizer apparent utilization rate, agronomic efficiency, and partial factor productivity. Specifically, apparent utilization rate increased by 9.24 percentage points (early rice) and 7.80 percentage points (late rice); agronomic efficiency increased by 18.51% and 26.69%, and partial factor productivity by 22.79% and 25.58% for early and late rice, respectively (P < 0.05). Life-cycle carbon footprint was significantly reduced by 26.25% (early rice) and 40.38% (late rice) under HAU-20 compared to U, with per-unit product carbon footprint reduced by 0.22 t CO2-eq·t−1 and 0.86 t CO2-eq·t−1, respectively. The reduction was primarily attributed to decreased CH4 and N2O emissions: early rice CH4 and N2O cumulative emissions decreased by 28.92% and 44.34%, and late rice by 44.46% and 63.85% (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HAU with 20% N reduction sustains yield, enhances N use efficiency, and significantly lowers carbon footprint, offering a viable path for green and low-carbon double-cropping rice production.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4079-4
Utilization of ultrahigh-nickel LiNi_xCo_yMn_1-x-yO_2 (NCM) (x > 0.97) in Li-ion batteries can distinctively boost energy density through enhanced discharge capacity. However, capacity and thermal stability deteriorate as Ni content approaches the limit. Here, we propose a facile strategy by introducing high-valence tungsten (W) into ultrahigh-nickel polycrystalline LiNi_0.98Co_0.01Mn_0.01O_2 (PCNCM98). W-doped PCNCM98 (W-PCNCM98) exhibits refined, compactly stacked primary particles, whereas PCNCM98 shows equiaxial, non-uniform larger particles. The refined microstructure enhances mechanical strength: average particle hardness of W-PCNCM98 is 104 MPa, 1.5 times higher than PCNCM98 (68 MPa). This improved mechanical property suppresses lattice volume changes and relieves microcrack formation from H2–H3 phase transition. Consequently, cycling performance in pouch-type full cells is significantly enhanced, with capacity retention of 73% after 2000 cycles at 1 C and 25 °C, 54% higher than PCNCM98. Enhanced structural stability and strong electron affinity of W6+ also improve thermal stability: exothermic peak for W-PCNCM98 is postponed to 203 °C with heat generation of 1287 J g−1, versus 190 °C and 1528 J g−1 for PCNCM98. This high-valent doping strategy stabilizes ultrahigh-nickel NCM cathodes, accelerating large-scale EV applications.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510017
Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a significant source of urban carbon emissions. This study integrates life cycle assessment (LCA) and system dynamics (SD) to construct a multi-subsystem LCA-SD model covering economy, population, waste generation, transportation, treatment, and resource utilization, using Fuzhou City as a case study. The model was validated against historical data and uncertainty analysis. Carbon emissions from MSW transportation, treatment, and resource utilization during 2013–2023 were calculated, and emission trends under seven reduction scenarios for 2024–2035 were predicted. Results show that Fuzhou's MSW treatment evolved through three stages: 'landfill+incineration', 'treatment structure adjustment', and 'incineration+kitchen waste resource utilization', corresponding to emission growth, fluctuation, and reduction periods. In 2023, total net carbon emissions were 1.07×10^6 t CO2-eq, with incineration being the largest contributor (9.93×10^5 t), followed by transportation (2.93×10^4 t), leachate treatment (2.14×10^4 t), and kitchen waste treatment (7.90×10^3 t, negative emission). Scenario analysis indicates that without further measures, carbon neutrality cannot be achieved. Synergistic enhancement of kitchen waste separation and incineration power generation efficiency can significantly boost reduction, potentially achieving carbon neutrality by 2032. The study provides a dynamic accounting and scenario assessment framework for low-carbon transition of urban solid waste systems.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608017
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a significant gaseous pollutant emitted during high-carbon ferrochrome (HCFeCr) production, yet measured emission factors for different furnace types remain scarce, hindering accurate emission inventories and pollution control assessments. This study addresses this gap by investigating four typical HCFeCr production facilities in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, China, comprising two semi-closed submerged arc furnaces (SAFs) and two closed SAFs. A hybrid methodology combining manual stack sampling and continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) data was employed. A characteristic CO-to-NOx concentration ratio was established from manual measurements, which was then applied to continuous NOx data to estimate CO emissions and product-based emission factors. Results revealed substantial process-dependent variability: semi-closed SAFs (Facilities A and B) exhibited CO emission factors of 7.06 kg/t and 3.66 kg/t, respectively, whereas closed SAFs (Facilities C and D) with associated pelletizing processes showed notably lower factors of 1.41 kg/t and 0.51 kg/t. On average, semi-closed furnaces emitted approximately six times more CO per tonne of product than closed furnaces. Furnace sealing degree and raw material ratios were identified as key determinants. These findings underscore the inadequacy of using a single average emission factor for HCFeCr production and advocate for furnace-type-specific factors to improve emission accounting accuracy. This study provides essential measured data for developing refined CO emission inventories and supporting pollution reduction policies in the ferroalloy industry.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4097-3
The on-demand patterning of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with tailored edges is critical for electronic and optoelectronic applications but remains technically challenging. Here, we report a stress-guided anisotropic etching strategy for producing large-area, well-ordered MoS2 nanostructures, including nano-ribbons and nano-squares, without templates. By applying uniaxial cumulative stress followed by selective thermal etching, MoS2 monolayers are statistically etched into ribbon-like structures whose width inversely correlates with applied stress magnitude. The newly etched edges are macroscopically straight or serrated, predominantly Mo-zigzag terminated, and enhance photoluminescence by a factor of ~8.0. The edge type depends on the angle between stress direction and crystallographic orientation, corroborated by theoretical calculations. Biaxial stressing generates well-defined nano-squares, offering a scalable, versatile patterning route for engineering 2D materials with tailored functional edges, promising for electrocatalytic and optoelectronic applications.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608026
Biochar and microbial inoculants are widely used for agricultural soil amendment. To investigate the effects of different straw biochars and Bacillus subtilis inoculant, applied individually or combined, on nitrogen transformation in dryland soil, a 60-day laboratory incubation experiment was conducted with six treatments: control (CK), 4% rice straw biochar (S), 4% rapeseed straw biochar (Y), 4% rice straw biochar plus 5 mg/kg inoculant (SJ), 4% rapeseed straw biochar plus 5 mg/kg inoculant (YJ), and inoculant alone (J). Results showed that rice straw biochar significantly increased soil nitrate nitrogen content by 148.74%–152.68% compared to CK, enhancing nitrification. Combined application with inoculant further increased average net nitrogen mineralization rate by 77.28%–99.38%. Conversely, rapeseed straw biochar decreased nitrate nitrogen by 51.66%–57.61%, and combined application reduced net nitrogen mineralization rate by 82.07%–84.73%. Treatments S, Y, SJ, and YJ promoted microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) synthesis, with S and Y increasing MBN by 2.02- and 2.20-fold over CK, respectively. Combined treatments further increased MBN by 103.26%–149.44% relative to single biochar treatments. These findings indicate that biochar type governs nitrification and net nitrogen mineralization, while combined application exerts synergistic effects on MBN. For comprehensive dryland soil improvement, YJ treatment is optimal, reducing inorganic nitrogen loss risk and enhancing microbial nitrogen activity.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60667-6
The introduction of an appropriate amount of Cu effectively enhances the catalytic performance of ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalysts in CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. However, systematic studies on the effect of Cu content in ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalysts remain limited. In this work, a ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution and a series of Cu/ZnO/ZrO2-x catalysts (x = 0.3, 0.7 and 0.9, denoting the molar ratio of Cu/(Cu+Zn+Zr)) were prepared by co-precipitation method. Among these catalysts, the Cu/ZnO/ZrO2-0.7 catalyst exhibited the optimal catalytic performance, with a space-time yield of methanol (162.7 g/(kg·h)) that was 6.6 times higher than that of the ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalyst (24.8 g/(kg·h)) at 250 °C. Structural characterizations reveal that the introduction of an appropriate amount of Cu led to the coexistence of a solid solution and individual metal oxides, and promoted the formation of medium-strength basic sites. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) results further confirm that Cu introduction facilitated the conversion of key reaction intermediates. This work provides a systematic investigation of the influence of Cu content on the methanol synthesis performance of ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalysts and elucidates the promotional mechanism induced by Cu incorporation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4169-9
Transition metal fluorides (TMFs) are promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity and energy density, yet their practical application is hindered by low utilization rates stemming from particle sizes exceeding the effective Li+ transport distance (<20 nm). This work introduces a multiphase metal fluoride composite (MMFC) synthesized via a hydrothermal method, leveraging high-entropy concepts and interface engineering to enhance electrochemical performance. The MMFC, after annealing at 400°C (MMFC-400), exhibits high specific capacity, excellent rate capability, and cycling stability. The multiphase interfaces accelerate Li+ migration kinetics and provide additional active sites, addressing the limitations of conventional TMF cathodes. This study proposes a multiphase interfacial energy storage strategy for advanced TMF cathodes, offering a pathway to high-performance LIBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4229-6
The escalating retirement of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) necessitates efficient recycling technologies to recover cathode materials, particularly lithium iron phosphate (LFP), which dominates the traction battery market. Conventional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods are energy-intensive and environmentally burdensome. Here, we report a fluorine doping-assisted direct regeneration strategy for spent LFP (SLFP) cathodes, yielding a regenerated LFP-F (RLFP-F) with a hybrid structure of ordered crystalline and disordered domains. Fluorine doping reduces the Li+ diffusion energy barrier, as evidenced by density functional theory calculations, and strengthens Fe–O bonding, suppressing Fe migration and anti-site defect formation. The O 2p band center shifts downward, increasing the Fe 3d–O 2p energy separation from 3.23 eV in pristine LFP to 3.46 eV in RLFP-F, enhancing structural stability and electronic conductivity. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that RLFP-F delivers a high-rate capability and excellent cycling stability. Life-cycle assessment reveals that direct regeneration consumes only 9.986 MJ kg−1 and emits 0.324 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of cell, significantly outperforming pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. Economic analysis based on 2025 Chinese market prices indicates a net profit of $397.15 per ton of SLFP battery recycling, attributed to the closed-loop cathode-to-cathode design. This work provides a sustainable and economically viable route for upcycling spent LFP batteries.