SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4286-4
Multifunctional nanoplatforms capable of efficiently regulating both emerging and classical cell death mechanisms, thereby overcoming the adaptive resistance of malignant cells to certain cell death modalities, remain a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a new concept for the self-assembly of zinc-cystine coordination networks on curcumin (Cur) drug nanocrystals (DNCs) to construct Cur@PDA@GOx/Zn-Cys (CPGZC) nanoplatforms, enabling enhanced antitumor therapy through multicomponent synergistic modulation of both newly identified disulfidptosis and classical apoptosis. At tumor site, GOx-mediated glucose depletion reduces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) levels, which can impair the intracellular conversion of cystine to cysteine. Combined with the exogenous cystine delivered by CPGZC NPs, rapid intracellular disulfide accumulation strongly activates disulfidptosis. Simultaneously, the reduction in NADPH levels inhibits GSH biosynthesis, augmenting the intracellular ROS levels elicited by Cur DNCs within the CPGZC nanoplatforms. Moreover, the elevated oxidative stress, in synergy with the excessive Zn2+ introduced, aggravates mitochondrial damage, thereby further amplifying apoptosis. Consequently, the synergistic modulation of disulfidptosis and apoptosis induces a potent antitumor response, as validated by comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations. This study opens new avenues for the development of multifunctional nanoplatforms for enhanced cancer therapy through the effective integration of both emerging and classical cell death mechanisms, which may serve as a promising strategy to advance our comprehension of synergistic utilization of various cell death mechanisms and combat with complex cancers.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4468-6
The proliferation of multispectral detection platforms demands materials that simultaneously satisfy electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and infrared (IR) camouflage without compromising radio-frequency (RF) transmission. Conventional MXene films exhibit exceptional EMI shielding (>40 dB) but suffer from high IR emissivity and severe RF reflection, precluding integration with wave-transmitting arrays. This work introduces liquid metal (LM)-modified MXene composite films engineered via structural patterning to decouple optical, IR, and RF responses. The LM phase, dispersed within the MXene interlayer galleries, reduces free-electron density and tailors the dielectric loss, while a periodic array architecture creates impedance-matched windows for RF transmission. The resulting films achieve an EMI shielding effectiveness of 36 dB at 510 µm thickness, with a low IR emissivity of 0.36 and an RF transmittance exceeding 80% in the X-band. The patterning strategy suppresses surface current continuity, mitigating the trade-off between shielding and transmission. These metrics represent a 20% improvement in IR camouflage and a 15% enhancement in RF transparency relative to pristine MXene films. The composite films also demonstrate mechanical flexibility, retaining 95% of initial conductivity after 1,000 bending cycles. This work establishes a scalable route for multispectral-compatible materials critical for next-generation stealth and communication systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4487-1
Direct seawater electrolysis offers a cost-effective route to clean hydrogen, but the competitive chlorine evolution reaction (CER) and electrode corrosion impede practical deployment. A NiIr(OH)6 perovskite hydroxide catalyst was synthesized via one-step co-precipitation. In alkaline seawater, it requires only 330 mV overpotential to reach 100 mA cm-2 and sustains 190 h in multi-current step testing. In situ Raman spectroscopy shows that Ir species promote the formation of active NiOOH phases, accelerating oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics. Density functional theory calculations reveal that Ir doping modulates the electronic structure of Ni and Ir sites, strengthening OH adsorption (-2.09 eV) and suppressing Cl- adsorption (-1.38 eV), thereby enhancing OER selectivity. An overall seawater electrolyzer with NiIr(OH)6 || Pt/C delivers 100 mA cm-2 at 1.63 V and operates stably for over 100 h. This work provides a rational design strategy for high-efficiency, corrosion-resistant electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4339-7
Neuromorphic computing demands energy-efficient synaptic devices that emulate biological plasticity. Optoelectronic memristors based on colloidal quantum dots (QDs) offer tunable bandgaps and solution processability, yet suffer from defect-mediated nonradiative recombination and instability. Here, we report ZnS-passivated CdZnSe core/shell QDs as the active layer in memristive devices, achieving enhanced synaptic emulation and information encryption. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) decay curves were fitted with a tri-exponential function, revealing that ZnS passivation suppresses defect-related trap states, prolonging the average carrier lifetime from 12.3 ns (CdZnSe) to 28.7 ns (CdZnSe/ZnS). The intensity proportion of the fast decay component (τ1 ≈ 1.2 ns) decreased from 45% to 18%, indicating reduced surface trapping. Devices incorporating CdZnSe/ZnS QDs exhibit stable bipolar resistive switching with an ON/OFF ratio exceeding 10^3, endurance of >10^3 cycles, and retention of >10^4 s. Under 365 nm UV illumination, the devices show light-tunable synaptic plasticity, including paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) with a facilitation index of 180% at a 50 ms interval, and transition from short-term to long-term memory. The memristors successfully emulate essential synaptic functions and are employed in a simple encryption scheme, demonstrating the potential of defect-passivated QDs for secure neuromorphic hardware.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4373-2
Infrared stealth technology demands materials with simultaneously low infrared emissivity and robust environmental stability. Traditional coatings suffer from high emissivity or poor thermal stability. Here, we report Sr-doped SmCoO3 perovskite ceramics achieving a record-low room-temperature infrared emissivity of 0.12 in the 8–14 μm atmospheric window. Systematic doping (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) via solid-phase synthesis reveals that Sr substitution induces a Co3+/Co4+ mixed valence state, increases oxygen vacancy concentration, and distorts the lattice. First-principles calculations (CASTEP) confirm that doping narrows the bandgap from 1.8 eV to 0.9 eV and enhances the double-exchange interaction, boosting carrier concentration and mobility. The optimized composition (x = 0.3) exhibits an electrical conductivity of 1.2×10^3 S/cm and a carrier density of 3.5×10^21 cm^-3, leading to strong infrared reflection. The material maintains emissivity below 0.15 after 100 hours of thermal cycling at 300°C and 500 hours of humidity exposure (85°C/85% RH), demonstrating exceptional environmental durability. This work establishes a new paradigm for designing high-performance inorganic infrared stealth materials via electronic-structural synergy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4369-1
Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage due to sodium's abundance and low cost. Among cathode materials, polyanionic compounds like Na3V2(PO4)2O2F (NVPOF) offer high energy density and dual voltage plateaus at ~3.6 and 4.0 V, but suffer from low electronic conductivity and sluggish Na+ diffusion. Here, we report a dual-modulation strategy combining high-valence Nb5+ doping and polydopamine-derived carbon coating to synthesize Na3V1.94Nb0.06(PO4)2O2F-C (NVPOF-Nb-C) via a hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement confirm that Nb5+ doping induces slight lattice expansion without altering the tetragonal I4/mmm framework. Density functional theory calculations reveal that Nb5+ doping optimizes the crystal structure and reduces the Na+ diffusion barrier, while the uniform carbon coating enhances electron transport. Consequently, NVPOF-Nb-C exhibits remarkably improved electrochemical performance, including high reversible capacity, excellent rate capability, and ultralong cycling stability. In a full cell with hard carbon anode, it delivers a high energy density of 487.2 Wh kg−1 at 1C and retains 91.51% capacity after 3000 cycles at 20C. This work provides a synergistic strategy to overcome the intrinsic limitations of polyanionic cathodes for practical SIB applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4235-6
Fluorite-structured oxides (HfO2, ZrO2) are promising for resistive random-access memory (RRAM) due to their scalability and tunable properties. However, achieving high resistive switching on/off ratios remains challenging. Here, we report a collaborative strategy combining Hf/Zr ratio optimization and Lu3+ doping to regulate band structure and oxygen vacancy concentration in Hf0.4Zr0.6O2 (LHZO) thin films. The resulting LHZO devices exhibit a resistive switching ratio of 8.4 × 10^4, two orders of magnitude higher than that of ZrO2 (1.2 × 10^3). Electrical characterization and synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy reveal that Lu doping widens the bandgap to 4.95 eV, downshifts the valence band, and introduces defect states, collectively suppressing p-type conductivity and reducing off-state leakage current. Simultaneously, Lu3+ doping enriches oxygen vacancies, stabilizing ohmic conductive filaments in the on-state. This co-optimization of band structure and oxygen vacancies effectively enhances insulating properties in the high-resistance state and ohmic conductivity in the low-resistance state, leading to superior resistive switching performance with robust retention (>10^4 s). Our findings establish a fundamental strategy for tailoring electronic properties of doped HfZrO2 thin films toward high-performance RRAM applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4192-y
Electrochemical water splitting is pivotal for scalable green hydrogen production, yet its practical deployment hinges on cost-effective electrocatalysts with high activity and durability. This study introduces a low-cost, three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous ZrVFeCoNi material fabricated via chemical dealloying, at merely 0.16% of the cost of Pt. The structure-activity relationship between its microstructure and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance was systematically explored. Lattice defect effects from multiphase intermetallic compounds, combined with multi-metal synergy, optimize H+ adsorption energy and electron transfer kinetics. The 3D nanoporous architecture provides a high electrochemical surface area with abundant active sites, enhancing electrolyte penetration and reducing interfacial mass transfer resistance. Consequently, the ZrVFeCoNi electrode exhibits outstanding HER performance, requiring only a 38 mV overpotential to reach 10 mA cm−2 and maintaining stable operation for 1000 h at 500 mA cm−2. Integrated into a full water electrolyzer (ZrVFeCoNi || IrO2/Ni), the system achieves a cell voltage of 1.60 V at a current density of 400 mA cm−2. Advanced characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that interfacial interactions and charge transfer at heterointerfaces drive catalytic activity, showcasing the potential of 3D nano-structured multiphase intermetallic compounds as high-performance electrocatalysts for green hydrogen systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4293-9
Traditional soft magnetic alloys (SMAs) suffer from a performance trade-off where enhancing magnetic properties often compromises mechanical and other properties, limiting their use in high-efficiency power systems and advanced electronics. The design concept of medium- and high-entropy alloys (M/HEAs) offers a pathway to overcome this limitation. By leveraging multi-principal-element compositions and tailorable microstructures, medium- and high-entropy soft magnetic alloys (M/HE-SMAs) can integrate superior soft magnetic properties with exceptional mechanical strength-ductility synergy, high electrical resistivity, good thermal stability, and excellent corrosion resistance. This article reviews design strategies for synergistic enhancement of multiple properties in M/HE-SMAs, including blending multiple ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic elements into solid solution, inducing local chemical order, tailoring nanoprecipitates, controlling grain size, and engineering dual/multi-phase structures. The cooperative interactions among these strategies are discussed. Potential research directions for further development and practical applications are proposed.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3547-7
Inorganic perovskite solar cells (IPSCs) have attracted significant attention due to their excellent light and thermal stability and potential in tandem applications. However, their efficiency and stability are often limited by residual lattice stress and defects at interfaces and within the bulk, causing severe nonradiative recombination. Here, we introduce a zero-dimensional supramolecular complex, (ETP)2SbCl5, as a dual-interface and bulk modifier to regulate CsPbI3 film growth. The modifier exhibits spatial segregation: ETP+ cations anchor at the buried interface, passivating defects on TiO2 and perovskite surfaces; Sb3+ and Cl− ions diffuse into the bulk during annealing, relieving residual stress; and Cl− accumulates on the top surface, passivating cation defects. Consequently, the modified CsPbI3 solar cell achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.71% and an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.27 V, retaining 97.4% of initial efficiency after 500 h of maximum power point (MPP) tracking. This work demonstrates a synergistic strategy to simultaneously address interfacial and bulk defects, advancing high-performance and stable inorganic photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3662-4
Luminescent thermometry has become a research hotspot due to its high spatial resolution, fast response, and non-invasive nature. However, achieving high-performance temperature imaging requires both luminescent materials with high temperature sensitivity and efficient imaging methods, which remains a significant challenge. In this study, a series of pure-phase rubidium germanate phosphors doped with manganese were synthesized and encapsulated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films to improve chemical stability. The dramatic temperature-dependent luminescence behavior of Mn4+ in the Rb2Ge4O9 matrix provides reliable and efficient methods for temperature sensing. The high-sensitivity temperature sensing capability of the Rb2Ge4O9:0.002 Mn4+ fluorescent film has been confirmed, leveraging temperature-dependent emission intensity, luminescence decay lifetime, and time-resolved intensity ratio techniques. Notably, Rb2Ge4O9:Mn4+ fluorescent film exhibits a strikingly high relative sensitivity of 17.03% K−1 at 330 K in the time-resolved thermometry scheme, which is the highest relative temperature sensitivity within the physiological temperature range known to us. High-performance temperature imaging of the fluorescent film is achieved through the time-resolved intensity ratio strategy with a best practical temperature resolution of 0.08 K at 325 K. Furthermore, the temperature images of an operating nickel circuit with a line width of 20 μm under different working currents were recorded, showing a clear circuit microstructure and temperature gradient. These findings pave a novel path for realizing high-performance temperature imaging.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3746-x
The polyanionic compound Na3V2(PO4)2O2F (NVPOF) possesses a stable three-dimensional framework, high theoretical specific capacity, and favorable operating voltage, yet its sluggish Na+ diffusion kinetics and low electronic conductivity impede industrial application. This study proposes a dual regulation strategy combining carbon coating and heat treatment temperature to synergistically enhance crystallinity and electrochemical performance. NVPOF@C-400 and NVPOF@C-600 were synthesized via in-situ dopamine hydrochloride coating followed by heat treatment at 400 °C and 600 °C, respectively. Carbon coating at 600 °C significantly improved crystallinity and increased electronic conductivity by three orders of magnitude through the carbon layer's conductive network. The ~4.5 nm carbon layer effectively suppressed abnormal grain growth and secondary crystallization aggregation at high temperatures, maintaining uniform particle size of approximately 0.36 μm, which shortens Na+ diffusion pathways and prevents ion transport obstruction. Consequently, NVPOF@C-600 delivered a high discharge capacity of 102.5 mAh g−1 at 20 C and retained 96.5% capacity after 10,000 cycles. In a full-cell configuration with hard carbon (HC), NVPOF@C-600//HC achieved an impressive 89.3% capacity retention after 9,000 cycles. This work provides critical insights for practical implementation of high-performance NVPOF cathodes in sodium-ion batteries.
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/s40843-025-3807-8
Electrocatalytic co-reduction of CO2 and nitrate offers a sustainable route for urea synthesis, valorizing nitrogenous waste and CO2. However, achieving high-performance urea electrosynthesis under ambient conditions remains challenging due to the need for simultaneous activation of CO2 and efficient H2O dissociation to supply active *H for *NOx hydrogenation, ultimately forming key C- and N-containing intermediates for C–N coupling. Here, we report a bifunctional Pd-single-atom-modified Cu (Pd1Cu) nanorod catalyst that synergistically promotes adsorption and stepwise activation of CO2 and H2O, steering the reaction pathway toward selective urea synthesis. Integrating experimental evidence, in situ spectroscopy, and computational analyses, we disclose that atomically dispersed Pd sites kinetically favor co-generation of *CO and *NH2 via H2O dissociation-driven proton transfer, forming an optimal intermediate balance. The dual metal active sites enhance C–N coupling via combined electronic and geometric effects, substantially lowering the reaction energy barrier and improving selectivity. This work provides a rational design strategy for advanced multifunctional catalysts for urea electrosynthesis, contributing to carbon neutrality and waste nitrogen valorization.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3739-8
The premature decay of electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) performance at low electrode potentials remains a major obstacle to practical applications, primarily due to competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A new paradigm capable of transcending current selectivity constraints is urgently required to advance eNRR toward industrial implementation. In this work, we propose two practical selectivity descriptors (ΔΔG and ΔU) based on a systematic investigation of the potential-dependent competition between eNRR and HER on confined dual-atom catalysts. The descriptor ΔΔG (ΔG_N2 − ΔG_H) identifies the potential range where N2 adsorption dominates over H adsorption, while ΔU (U_cross – U_eNRR) specifies the potential range to trigger direct eNRR, offering a quantitative benchmark for rational catalyst design. Ideal catalysts should maintain N2-preferential adsorption across a broad potential window to facilitate direct eNRR. Guided by this insight, we demonstrate that confined dual-atom configurations with optimized interatomic distances can simultaneously achieve both overwhelming N2 adsorption and sufficient activation, thereby overcoming conventional selectivity limitations. This strategy enables ammonia synthesis with industrially relevant production rates and current density even at elevated potentials. Our mechanistic insights not only elucidate the root causes of performance limitations in eNRR but also offer a rational design framework for developing high-performance catalysts across a broad range of electrochemical transformations.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61069-4
Four-directional dual-matrix C/C composites were fabricated from PAN-based carbon fibers using a combined approach of soft-hard hybrid weaving preform molding, chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) of pyrolytic carbon (PyC), and high-pressure impregnation and carbonization of pitch-derived carbon. The ablation resistance was evaluated in a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and the ablation behavior was investigated. The carbon rods, formed by twisting and carbonizing fiber bundles, exhibited a hexagonal cross-section, surrounded by a dense PyC 'wall' structure. The linear ablation rates after pulse I and pulse II were 0.068 mm/s and 0.113 mm/s, respectively. A cellular-like PyC layer and nanowire structures were deposited on the surface of the throat convergent section during the post-combustion cooling phase, while cracks and delamination occurred on and within the divergent section. The ablation process involved ultra-high temperatures, high-speed gas scouring, oxygen-containing thermochemical ablation, and thermal shock. This work elucidates the ablation behaviors under dual-pulse conditions and provides technical guidance for designing C/C composites for extreme environments.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506020
The rotary kiln roasting of lepidolite for lithium extraction faces challenges of unstable lithium conversion rates and high energy consumption. To address this, a multi-objective optimization method coupling improved neural network simulation with a multi-objective genetic algorithm was proposed, targeting the synergistic optimization of lithium conversion rate (TRLi) and natural gas consumption intensity (EIng). Using long-term industrial time-series data of batching parameters and kiln operating variables, back-propagation (BP) neural network and its particle swarm optimization (PSO) improved variant were developed to model TRLi and EIng. The PSO-BP model demonstrated superior accuracy in capturing the complex nonlinear relationships, reducing mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) to 0.278 and 0.284 for TRLi and EIng, respectively. Subsequently, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) was employed to construct a multi-objective optimization model, yielding a Pareto-optimal set of process parameters that maximize TRLi and minimize EIng. The results revealed that under NSGA-II optimized conditions, TRLi could be stabilized between 82.45% and 87.96%, an average increase of 3.61 percentage points over baseline operations, while EIng could be reduced to 53.7 m3 per ton of clinker. For an annual processing capacity of 3.2×105 tons of lepidolite concentrate and sulfate mixture, this corresponds to an additional 127.1 tons of lithium metal recovery, a reduction of 1,964,912 m3 in natural gas consumption, and a decrease of 3,763.84 tons in CO2 emissions annually. This study provides theoretical and technical support for the green, high-quality, and low-carbon supply of critical raw materials for the lithium battery new energy industry.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024120203
Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) oxidation is a promising technology for organic pollutant removal in water due to its low cost and broad pH applicability. However, its moderate oxidation capacity results in slow degradation rates for refractory organic compounds. Carbon materials (CMs), known for their accessibility, stability, and environmental compatibility, have shown great potential in enhancing KMnO4 oxidation. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements on the enhancement of KMnO4 oxidation of organic pollutants by CMs. The performance and suitability of various CMs in improving KMnO4 oxidation were systematically compared. Additionally, two key mechanisms driving the degradation of organic pollutants in the KMnO4/CMs system were elucidated, along with a discussion on the recycling and regeneration of CMs. Finally, future research directions and development trends for this technology were outlined, aiming to offer insights to advance the practical application of KMnO4/CMs system in water treatment.
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.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225185
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), widely used as an insulating gas in high-voltage electrical equipment, possesses a global warming potential (GWP) 25,200 times that of CO2, necessitating efficient degradation technologies. This study employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate the thermal catalytic degradation of SF6 in a fixed-bed reactor, integrating models for porous media, heat transfer, turbulence, and chemical kinetics. The simulations revealed significant radial non-uniformities in pressure, velocity, temperature, and species concentration distributions, with temperature identified as the dominant factor influencing degradation efficiency. Radial temperature gradients caused uneven reaction rates, with degradation rates near the wall substantially exceeding those at the central axis, thereby reducing overall SF6 conversion. To address this, structural optimizations were implemented, including reducing the reactor tube diameter and incorporating inert porous media with high thermal conductivity at both ends of the catalytic section. These modifications enhanced radial heat transfer, homogenized the temperature field, and improved the uniformity of reaction rates and species concentrations. Parametric studies on inlet gas velocity showed that both excessively low and high flow rates were detrimental: low velocities led to underutilization of the downstream catalyst and increased energy consumption, while high velocities deteriorated heat transfer and exacerbated radial temperature gradients. The optimal inlet velocity range was determined to be 0.4–0.8 m/s for a reactor tube inner diameter of 10 mm, balancing catalyst utilization, energy consumption, and degradation efficiency. This research provides data-driven guidance for the design and scale-up of SF6 catalytic degradation reactors.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225227
Imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) are foundational materials in sustainable chemical engineering due to their negligible volatility, exceptional thermal stability, and tunable properties. This study details the development, optimization, and analysis of an industrial-scale green synthesis pathway for 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) via quaternization of N-methylimidazole with 1-chlorobutane. Reaction parameters were optimized using orthogonal experimental design, and process intensification strategies were implemented to enhance efficiency and environmental sustainability. The optimal conditions were identified as a reaction temperature of 76 °C, a molar ratio of N-methylimidazole to 1-chlorobutane of 1:1.3, and a reaction time of 36 h, achieving a single-pass yield of 95.6%. Kinetic studies revealed a significant correlation between temperature, molar ratio, and conversion efficiency, with an activation energy (Ea) of approximately 135.7 kJ/mol, indicating pronounced temperature dependence. A closed-loop material recycling system was designed, enabling recovery rates of 99.5% for 1-chlorobutane and 98.1% for ethyl acetate, thereby curtailing raw material consumption and waste generation. This approach aligns with green chemistry principles and propels the process toward near-zero emissions. The pathway offers a scalable model for [Bmim]Cl manufacture and a transferable strategy for synthesizing other ionic liquids, representing a substantial advancement in sustainable process engineering.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225191
Mg3Sb2-based materials, featuring a unique layered crystal structure, exhibit a favorable combination of low thermal conductivity, high Seebeck coefficient, and decent carrier mobility, establishing them among the most promising mid-temperature thermoelectric systems under active investigation. However, p-type Mg3Sb2 derivatives demonstrate a comparatively lower thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) compared to their n-type counterparts. Enhancing the zT performance of p-type Mg3Sb2 is therefore essential for the development of high-efficiency thermoelectric devices based on this material system. This review systematically summarizes the critical factors governing the thermal transport properties of p-type Mg3Sb2, including intrinsic characteristics such as chemical bonding and crystal structure, as well as extrinsic parameters such as carrier concentration, mobility, point defects, microstructure, and temperature dependence effects. Furthermore, it highlights recent advances in strategies designed to optimize thermal conductivity (κ) and improve zT, mainly including point defect engineering (such as Mg-site doping, Sb-site doping, dual-site co-doping, as well as doping-assisted composite modification), low-dimensional and nanostructural design, and advanced preparation technologies. Experimental studies demonstrate that these targeted strategies, particularly the synergistic introduction of multi-scale defects, can effectively suppress phonon propagation and significantly reduce lattice thermal conductivity (κL). Consequently, substantial improvements in the overall zT of p-type Mg3Sb2-based materials have been realized, providing a robust scientific and technical foundation for accelerating the practical application of Mg3Sb2-based thermoelectric devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3634-0
Messenger RNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccines have demonstrated extraordinary efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, establishing LNPs as the premier platform for mRNA therapeutics. However, the pervasive presence of anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) antibodies undermines PEGylated LNP performance by diminishing therapeutic efficacy. To address this challenge, we synthesized a panel of lipid-poly(2-oxazoline) (lipid-POx) conjugates as alternatives to lipid-PEG and systematically evaluated how their polymer backbone, degree of polymerization, and lipid tail structure influence LNP physicochemical properties and mRNA delivery performance. Among POx-LNPs formulated with heptadecan-9-yl 8-((2-hydroxyethyl)(6-oxo-6-(undecyloxy)hexyl)amino)octanoate (SM-102) as the base lipid, those constructed with single-tailed C18-POx exhibited smaller particle sizes and superior freeze-thaw stability. These C18-POx-LNPs maintained comparable in vivo transfection efficiency to PEG-LNPs even when fully replacing 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3 (DMG)-PEG. Notably, in mice bearing pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies, C18-POx-LNPs demonstrated over 200-fold higher transfection efficiency than PEG-LNPs. Additionally, repeated administration of POx-LNPs induced dose-dependent anti-POx immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses, with antibody titers inversely correlated with POx hydrophilicity. This study underscores the effectiveness of substituting PEG with POx in LNP construction to address the transfection efficiency in populations with pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies, and would inspire the development of more hydrophilic polymers for LNP formulation.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60616-5
CuZnAl (CZA) is a classic industrial catalyst for methanol synthesis from syngas, but its catalytic performance for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol is suboptimal. The catalytic mechanism of Cu species in CZA remains challenging. This study systematically investigates the valence state changes of active Cu species in CZA catalysts and their influence on catalytic performance by modifying catalysts with varying amounts of electron donor K, thereby identifying the catalytic function of Cu species with different valence states. H2-TPR, XPS, and HR-TEM characterizations reveal that highly dispersed K species supported on CZA catalysts inhibit the reduction of CuO, resulting in a small amount of Cu2O active species being produced under reaction conditions, thus causing a decrease in catalytic activity. Furthermore, XRD and Cu LMM spectra show that the proportion of Cu0 in K-modified CZA catalysts increases with K loading, but a higher proportion of Cu0 species on the surface obviously promotes the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction. According to the results of in situ infrared spectroscopy, CZA catalyst follows the reaction pathway mediated by HCOO* in the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol.
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/s40843-025-4046-6
The deliberate control of framework dimensionality represents a powerful yet underexplored strategy for tailoring the functionality of homochiral metal-organic frameworks (HMOFs). Herein, we report a logical dimensional evolution from 1D and 2D to 3D HMOFs, achieved by tuning the connectivity of the auxiliary ligand. Employing a planar, three-connected ligand, 2,4,6-tri(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (Tpt), together with enantiopure tetracarboxylate of cyclohexane diamide linkers ((1R,2R/1S,2S)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarbonyl bis(azanediyl)diisophthalate) (R,R/S,S-CHCAIP) and Zn2+ salts, a pair of 3D porous HMOFs (P/M-HMOF-5) was successfully constructed. The 3D framework features unique heart-shaped channels and a novel 4-(3,3,3,6)-connected topology. Structural analyses reveal trinuclear Zn3(μ3-O) clusters that, upon activation, generate open metal sites. These Lewis acid sites, synergizing with Lewis basic sites from the framework, confer efficient acid-base bifunctional heterogeneous catalysis for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolinones in excellent yields (90%–98%). Furthermore, P/M-HMOF-5 serve as highly sensitive and enantioselective fluorescent sensors for amino acids and α-hydroxy carboxylic acids, with the highest discrimination observed for phenylalanine (KBH(D-Phe)/KBH(L-Phe) = 5.85 for M-HMOF-5). This work demonstrates how rational ligand connectivity steers dimensional evolution, enabling the integration of distinct catalytic and sensing functions within a single chiral platform, thereby providing a blueprint for the design of advanced multifunctional materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3823-4
The global demand for chlorine gas continues to rise, driven by its indispensable role in chemical synthesis, disinfection, and wastewater treatment. Electrocatalytic chlorine evolution from seawater presents a promising alternative to the energy-intensive chlor-alkali process, yet it is hampered by the competing oxygen evolution reaction and the sluggish kinetics of chlorine evolution on conventional catalysts. Here, we report a novel hollow porous CoNiSe2/NiSe2 heterostructure nanosheet array synthesized via ion exchange and calcination, which exhibits exceptional catalytic activity and selectivity for the chlorine evolution reaction in acidic seawater-like electrolytes. The unique hollow porous morphology provides a high specific surface area, facilitating mass transport and exposing abundant active sites. Crucially, the heterointerface between CoNiSe2 and NiSe2 promotes d-p orbital hybridization between Co/Ni 3d and Se 4p states, which lowers the reaction energy barrier for chlorine evolution. The catalyst achieves a low overpotential of 108 mV to reach a current density of 100 mA cm−2 in 4.0 M NaCl acidic medium, with excellent stability and Cl2 selectivity. This work demonstrates the potential of non-noble metal selenides as efficient and durable catalysts for chlorine production, offering a pathway toward more sustainable chlor-alkali technology.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511047
Ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission lines are critical infrastructure for China's energy strategy. Compared with conventional voltage lines, UHV lines exhibit nonlinear growth in resource and capital consumption, complex supply chains, and strong spatiotemporal heterogeneity in carbon emission factors, resulting in substantial and uncertain construction-phase emissions. Accurate accounting is essential for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals in the power sector. To address issues of ambiguous system boundaries, weak characterization of input parameter uncertainty, and poor cross-year applicability of input-output carbon intensities, this study defines the accounting boundary using budget quotas and develops a hybrid life cycle assessment (HLCA) model. For easily traceable emission sources, process-based LCA (PLCA) is applied, with uncertainty analysis via distribution fitting and Monte Carlo simulation. For difficult-to-trace sources, input-output LCA (IO-LCA) is used with carbon intensity correction. A case study of a ±800 kV transmission line yields a construction-phase carbon emission intensity of 1,858.91 t·km⁻¹ (CO₂ equivalent), with a 95% confidence interval of [1,379.73, 2,486.45] t·km⁻¹. Sobol global sensitivity analysis identifies key emission reduction pathways. The method's validity is confirmed by comparison with existing studies, providing quantitative support for low-carbon design, construction optimization, and carbon auditing of UHV projects.
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.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025040401
Conventional zero-valent iron (ZVI) suffers from limited electron transfer due to its dense surface oxide layer. This study introduces a mechanochemical ball-milling strategy incorporating sodium chloride (NaCl) with ZVI to fabricate chloride-modified ZVI (Cl-ZVIbm). Using hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) as a model pollutant, Cl-ZVIbm exhibited a 76.5-fold enhancement in removal kinetics (0.0306 min−1 vs. 0.0004 min−1) compared to ball-milled ZVI (ZVIbm), achieving complete removal of 2 mg·L−1 Cr(VI) within 120 min. Spectroscopic characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed dual regulation mechanisms: (1) Cl− substitution of surface hydroxyl groups alters coordination environments, enabling Cr(VI) adsorption via a bidentate binuclear configuration with adsorption energy reduced from –0.28 eV to –1.64 eV; (2) The strong electron-withdrawing effect of Cl− drives directional electron migration from the iron core to the surface, increasing surface Fe(II) content by 26.9% (67.5% vs. 53.2%) and facilitating direct electron transfer to reduce 99.5% of Cr(VI) into low-toxicity Cr(III). Notably, chloride leaching during reactions was only 0.0126 mmol·L−1, far below industrial wastewater discharge standards, confirming environmental compatibility. This work provides atomic-scale insights into chloride-mediated electronic modulation on ZVI surfaces, offering novel principles for interfacial engineering of environmental functional materials and a theoretical basis for heavy metal remediation technologies.
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.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607007
Printing and dyeing sludge (PDS) fly ash is often classified as hazardous waste due to its high content and diversity of heavy metals (HMs). This study co-disposed PDS fly ash and heavy metal-contaminated soil to produce sintered ceramsites, investigating the effects of sintering conditions on physical properties and HM migration/transformation, and elucidating the immobilization mechanisms. The optimal sintering process was identified as preheating at 400 °C for 10 min, followed by sintering at 1150 °C for 10 min. The resulting ceramsites exhibited a 1-h water absorption of 2.7%, a bulk density of 830 kg/m³, HM volatilization rates below 15%, and a residual fraction (F4) proportion exceeding 86%. Characterization revealed that during sintering, HMs were encapsulated by the glassy phase and reacted with amorphous silica-alumina to form stable silico-aluminates, synergistically reducing HM mobility. However, sintering temperatures ≥1200 °C destabilized the ceramsite structure, causing secondary HM release. This research provides an efficient and simple route for the resource utilization of dyeing sludge fly ash and contaminated soil.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3875-1
Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from pure water is a promising strategy to address critical challenges in energy sustainability and environmental remediation. However, HER over single-component photocatalysts is intrinsically limited by inefficient carrier separation and relatively poor photostability. Forming abundant interfaces between two components is an effective approach for solving these issues. Herein, a series of hierarchical core-shell heterojunction photocatalysts, designated as F@Z-X, was rationally constructed by in situ growing ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) nanosheets on a Ti-based metal-organic framework (FIR-125), demonstrating remarkable structural stability. Due to the abundant intimate contact interfaces and well-matched band structure, the F@Z-X series exhibit enhanced HER performance. Among them, the optimized heterojunction [email protected] shows a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 3789.45 μmol g−1 h−1, which is about 4.4 and 264.4 times higher than that of pristine ZIS (859.57 μmol g−1 h−1) and FIR-125 (15.32 μmol g−1 h−1), respectively. Moreover, the photocatalyst manifests excellent reusability and durability, maintaining its performance over five consecutive cycles and sixteen hours of continuous reaction. The outstanding performance of [email protected] may be ascribed to an optimal balance among three fundamental photocatalytic processes: sufficient light absorption, exceptional carrier separation, and appropriate surface reaction. This work offers valuable insights into the rational design and controllable synthesis of novel heterojunction photocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3980-y
Organic solar cells (OSCs) have achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 20% in laboratory-scale devices, yet challenges persist in developing cost-effective charge-transporting materials (CTMs) that ensure high performance and long-term stability. Conventional organic CTMs such as PEDOT:PSS and PDINN suffer from thermal instability due to molecular diffusion and phase segregation. Solution-processed metal oxides (MOs) offer excellent stability and cost-effectiveness but are plagued by surface defects, particularly hydroxyl groups, which act as recombination centers and photocatalytic sites, degrading device interfaces. Here, we develop an organic-inorganic hybrid strategy to homogeneously passivate solution-processible semiconducting MOs. By first synthesizing MOs rich in surface hydroxyl groups and then introducing organic molecules, we achieve chemically homogeneous passivation that mitigates surface defects. This approach enables favorable interfacial energy level alignment, enhanced charge extraction, and tunable surface energy. Employing these passivated MOs as electron transport layers (ZnO) and hole transport layers (NiOx), we achieve a champion PCE of 20.22% for all-MO CTM-based OSCs, the highest reported to date. Scalability is demonstrated via ambient blade-coating, yielding 18.33% PCE for large-area cells (1.44 cm2) and 16.03% for modules (20.05 cm2), with material costs estimated at only 4% of organic counterparts. Furthermore, devices exhibit outstanding stability, retaining over 80% of initial PCE after 1300 h of maximum power point tracking and over 1000 h of thermal annealing at 85°C. This work establishes a new benchmark for cost-effective, high-performance organic photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3895-7
Flexible transparent electrodes are vital for next-generation electronics, but conventional silver nanowire (AgNW) networks suffer from non-uniform current and “hot spots” due to their random arrangement. To address this, we present a facile rubber pressure treatment that enables the controlled self-assembly of ordered AgNW micromesh (Ag NMs) on hydrophilic surfaces. This simple physical treatment simultaneously modifies surface energy and topography through molecular chain transfer from the rubber, creating optimal wetting conditions for coffee-ring assembly. This dual modification transforms droplet evaporation from constant contact angle to constant contact radius mode, enabling the universal fabrication of well-defined Ag NMs on diverse substrates like glass, polymers, and even curved surfaces. The resulting Ag NMs/colorless polyimide (CPI) electrodes (2 cm × 2 cm, ~30 Ω/sq), fabricated via single-step transfer and embedding, demonstrate desirable uniform sheet resistance distribution (<5% variation), outstanding mechanical durability, and environmental stability. These electrodes exhibit superior performance in practical applications, including stable electrical heating (159 ± 3°C at 8 V) with uniform temperature distribution and excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding (26.4 dB), while maintaining high optical transparency (~78%). This scalable approach offers a promising platform for advanced flexible electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4072-3
All-inorganic, hole-transport-material-free (HTM-free), carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) have attracted significant attention due to their exceptional stability and low cost. However, their performance and commercial potential are constrained by poor interfacial contact, insufficient crystallinity, and energy level misalignment. In this work, we address these challenges via a molecular engineering strategy by introducing tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)methane (TEPM) as a multifunctional additive. The alkynyl moiety (C≡C) in TEPM coordinates with Pb2+ ions in perovskite precursors, synergistically slowing crystallization kinetics to regulate crystal growth and passivate deep-level defects. Consequently, CsPbI3 films exhibit larger grain sizes, improved crystallinity, and lower defect densities. Devices modified with TEPM achieved a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.01% (certified 19.58%). Additionally, unencapsulated devices retained 87.6% of their initial efficiency after 1080 h under ambient conditions (25 °C, 30% relative humidity), and maintained 94.0% of their initial efficiency after 730 h of continuous AM 1.5G illumination in air. This work sets a new efficiency benchmark for inorganic HTM-free C-PSCs and provides a versatile molecular engineering strategy for developing high-performance, stable perovskite photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4098-8
Fluorescence image-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) enables real-time monitoring of photosensitizer biodistribution and metabolism for optimized treatment timing. However, its application remains limited by reliance on high-end imaging systems. To address this, we designed three novel small-molecule photosensitizers (TTNb, TTAn, TTPh) based on a 2-vinylbenzoic acid scaffold, functionalized at the 5-position with nitro, amino, or hydrogen groups. Replacing the nitro group with amino or hydrogen switched aggregation behavior from aggregation-induced emission (AIE) to aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), accompanied by a red-to-green fluorescence shift and subcellular relocation from liposomes to lysosomes. These findings establish design principles for ratiometric nitroreductase probes and enable systematic comparison between AIE and ACQ photosensitizers. Among these, TTAn exhibited superior cellular uptake (2800 times higher than Ce6 in Eca-109 cells), specific lysosomal targeting, balanced reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen/superoxide anion) generation, and intense fluorescence. Under white light irradiation, TTAn achieved an IC50 of 21 nM, surpassing Ce6 by 50-fold. Notably, TTAn produced strong fluorescence in mice tumors under both one- and two-photon excitation, detectable using conventional imaging tools (smartphones, DSLR cameras) or even visible to the naked eye, confirming outstanding tumor specificity. Leveraging these advantages, TTAn enabled successful image-guided two-photon PDT in Eca-109 tumor-bearing mice with a single treatment, demonstrating potent therapeutic efficacy and biosafety. This work provides a strategic blueprint for developing small-molecule theranostic agents that operate without complex fluorescence imaging systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4222-9
The proliferation of high-frequency communication technologies has escalated electromagnetic (EM) pollution, posing risks to health and device reliability. Conventional microwave absorbers dissipate EM energy as heat, creating thermal management burdens and energy waste. This study introduces Bi2Se3 nanosheets, a topological insulator with surface conductivity and internal insulation, as a dual-functional material capable of both microwave absorption and thermoelectric conversion. Nanosheets with controlled morphology were synthesized via a polyol reduction method, with thickness and lateral size tuned by preparation conditions. The resulting composites exhibited excellent microwave absorption, achieving a broad absorption bandwidth of 2.95 GHz at sub-millimeter thickness. A multilayered structure design enabled full-band absorption from 2 to 18 GHz using a single absorbent. The Seebeck coefficient, derived from temperature differences up to 110 °C, was -152 μV/K, indicating efficient conversion of absorbed EM energy into electrical energy. This work demonstrates the potential of Bi2Se3 nanomaterials for self-powered electromagnetic devices, addressing both EM pollution and energy supply challenges.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-024-3308-x
Direct oxidation of methane (CH4) to methanol (CH3OH) (DMTM) offers a value-added route for natural gas utilization but is constrained by poor reactivity and selectivity, necessitating efficient catalysts and accurate mechanistic understanding. This study investigates In2O3-catalyzed DMTM using first-principles calculations and the energetic span model (ESM). Considering the facile storage and release of lattice oxygen on In2O3, three surface states—stoichiometric (S-110), reduced (R-110), and reoxidized (O2-R-110)—were examined under identical conditions. The dynamic surface transformation S-110→R-110→O2-R-110 induces synchronous changes in CH4 activation mechanisms: polarization activation→σ* activation→σ activation, identified via electron transfer patterns between adsorbates and catalytic sites. The optimal site for non-stoichiometric DMTM emerges on S-110, and the binding ability of dual H atoms is found valid for describing reaction barriers and turnover frequency. Deciphering the complete DMTM pathway reveals that the Mars-van Krevelen+Eley-Rideal route is kinetically favorable according to ESM analysis, with low overoxidation tendency. This work provides insights for further optimization and design of DMTM catalysts from the perspective of surface geometry evolution.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3374-x
Industrial nitric acid production relies on the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis followed by the Ostwald process for oxidation, consuming vast fossil energy and emitting substantial greenhouse gases. Direct photocatalytic conversion of dinitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and water (H2O) into nitric acid (HNO3) under ambient conditions offers a sustainable alternative. This review critically examines recent advances in photocatalytic nitrogen oxidation (NOF), focusing on catalyst design, mechanistic insights into N2 activation, and performance metrics. The NOF pathway requires only 4 electrons versus a minimum of 6 for nitrogen reduction (NRF), lowering reaction energy barriers and potentially enhancing efficiency. Key challenges include the extreme inertness of the N≡N triple bond (bond dissociation energy 940.95 kJ mol−1), competing oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and the need for precise control over product selectivity. We analyze state-of-the-art photocatalysts, including tungsten oxide, bismuth oxychloride, and titania-based systems, and discuss strategies such as vacancy engineering, heterojunction construction, and co-catalyst loading. Performance benchmarks from recent studies reveal nitrate yields ranging from micromolar to millimolar levels, with apparent quantum efficiencies (AQE) often below 1% under visible light. The review identifies critical gaps in mechanistic understanding, particularly regarding the role of oxygen vacancies and reactive oxygen species, and proposes standardized testing protocols to enable meaningful comparison. We conclude that while NOF holds promise for decentralized fertilizer production, substantial improvements in catalyst stability, selectivity, and solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency are required for practical implementation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3412-2
Elucidating the fundamental mechanisms underlying Cu reconstruction is paramount for the rational design of catalysts that meet the stringent activity, selectivity, and durability requirements for industrial-scale CO2/CO electroreduction (CO2RR/CORR). While both dissolution-redeposition and atomic migration pathways have been proposed, the operational conditions dictating their relative dominance remain poorly understood. Through quasi in situ Cu+ detection and in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), we reveal a striking mechanistic dichotomy: Cu reconstruction during CO2RR occurs strictly in the presence of Cu+, whereas CORR-induced reconstruction proceeds independently of Cu+ species. These findings suggest that Cu reconstruction in CO2RR follows a dissolution-redeposition mechanism induced by oxidative radicals, while atomic migration emerges as the dominant pathway in CORR. Density functional theory calculations further demonstrate that adsorbed *CO intermediates reduce Cu–Cu bond strength, creating metastable surface configurations that promote Cu atomic migration. The investigation extends to broader metal catalysts (e.g., Ag, Au, Zn) and highlights the interplay between adsorbed species, interfacial environments, and applied potentials. Our findings establish a unified framework for understanding Cu restructuring dynamics, providing a paradigm for strategically engineering metal catalysts through controlled reconstruction, advancing the rational design of CO2RR/CORR systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3404-8
Effective subunit vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) require adjuvants that elicit both humoral and cellular immunity. Conventional adjuvants such as alum and squalene emulsions (MF59, AS03) potentiate antibody titers but fail to induce robust T cell responses, while the liposomal AS01 adjuvant, though clinically validated, relies on costly and resource-limited immunostimulants MPLA and QS21. This study introduces a nanoparticulate lipid adjuvant (NLA) platform based on ionizable lipid (IL) nanoparticles. A library of 124 structurally diverse ILs was synthesized via Ugi four-component reaction and formulated with helper lipids into 124 distinct nanoparticles. In vitro screening based on TNF-α production from splenocytes identified high-performance NLA candidates. Formulations with varied amine heads were assessed for immune cell activation, including bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. Leading NLAs upregulated TNF-α and costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. Co-administered with RSV pre-F antigen in mice via intramuscular injection, the optimized formulation induced robust cellular and humoral immunity, with significantly enhanced central and effector memory T cell responses. Challenge studies demonstrated superior protection against viral infection, comparable to an AS01e-like liposome adjuvant. Safety evaluations, including hematology, blood biochemistry, and histopathology, confirmed good biocompatibility. Using NLRP3 gene knockout cells, the inflammatory properties of NLAs were shown to depend primarily on the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. These findings establish rationally designed IL-based NLAs as high-performing, accessible adjuvants for subunit vaccines.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3417-1
The increasing global incidence of diabetes necessitates advanced glucose monitoring technologies that offer continuous, painless, and user-friendly solutions. Non-invasive sweat glucose detection faces persistent challenges in sensitivity and selectivity. This work employs ultrathin SnO2 films, derived from liquid Sn-Bi alloy exfoliation and subsequent annealing, as the active channel in back-gate field-effect transistors (FETs) for glucose sensing. The defective surface hydroxyl groups serve as effective anchoring sites for stable glucose oxidase (GOX) immobilization. Enzymatic glucose oxidation generates positive charge accumulation on the SnO2 layer, modulating charge carrier density and enhancing channel current. This effect is amplified by the FET's subthreshold characteristics under negative back-gate voltage, enabling rapid, highly sensitive, and selective glucose sensing. The optimized device achieves an ultrahigh sensitivity of 1211.11 μA cm−2 μM−1 and demonstrates near-specific glucose detection in human sweat, indicating significant potential for non-invasive, continuous glucose monitoring in practical applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3440-2
Flexible bimodal pressure-temperature sensing patches are critical for advancing tactile and thermal perception in healthcare and robotics. Existing integrated systems suffer from signal crosstalk and insufficient stability under mechanical deformation. This work presents an interference-free intelligent sensing patch comprising a laser-patterned pressure sensor and a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. The pressure sensor achieves a detection range of 8 Pa to 220 kPa with a 50 ms response time, while the thermistor delivers a temperature resolution of 0.01 °C across 10–50 °C. The patch maintains stable performance under 150° bending and 10% tensile strain. An integrated real-time processing platform enables continuous wrist pulse and epidermis temperature monitoring. When integrated with a neural network for soft robotic grippers, the patch achieves 94.09% recognition accuracy across ten distinct objects. These results demonstrate the patch's potential for precise, non-invasive health monitoring and intelligent robotic manipulation, addressing key challenges in interference suppression and system-level integration for multimodal tactile sensing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3454-7
Constructing heterostructures with favorable catalytic activities is crucial for improving seawater electrolysis. Herein, we report a strongly coupled Pt-W2N heterostructure embedded within porous conductive carbon nanoflowers (Pt-W2N@C) as a highly efficient and durable cathode electrocatalyst for seawater electrolysis. Through in situ Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis, we elucidate that the Pt-W2N@C system leverages synergistic electronic interactions at the heterointerface to concurrently optimize the adsorption of H* and OH* intermediates while enhancing water dissociation kinetics. The optimized Pt-W2N@C catalyst exhibits superior hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance across acidic, neutral, and alkaline electrolytes, achieving overpotentials of 1.2, 7, and 32.2 mV, respectively, at 10 mA cm−2, significantly outperforming commercial 20 wt% Pt/C benchmarks. Notably, the Pt-W2N@C catalyst exhibits exceptional performance in alkaline seawater electrolysis, achieving ultra-low HER overpotential (163.8 mV at 700 mA cm−2) alongside superior chloride tolerance and HER performance under 0.5–2.5 M NaCl. Remarkably, in a practical seawater electrolyzer (Pt-W2N@C||NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH)), it requires only 1.992 V to drive 500 mA cm−2 while maintaining 95.8% activity retention over 80 h of continuous operation. These findings highlight the advantages of heterostructures and their cooperative effects in designing next-generation electrocatalysts for practical seawater electrolysis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3540-y
Polymeric multicolor afterglow materials with tunable phosphorescence and environmental adaptability remain a bottleneck in optical anti-counterfeiting. This work integrates triplet-to-singlet Förster resonance energy transfer (TS-FRET) with ultraviolet (UV) laser direct writing to fabricate phosphorescent anti-counterfeiting labels. Using poly(acrylamide-co-4'-vinyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3,5-dicarboxylic acid) (BCA2PAM) as the donor and rhodamine 6G (R6G) as the acceptor, precise color tuning is achieved. Time-resolved multicolor displays are realized by loading afterglow materials onto filter paper, while luminescent elastomers are synthesized via integration with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Laser inscription of 'disappear' on R6G-doped BCA2PAM films at varying laser powers yields exclusive visibility of 'appear' under UV irradiation; upon UV off, 'disappear' emerges, followed by reappearance of 'appear' after 1 s, demonstrating encryption efficacy. High-power laser-inscribed QR codes remain imperceptible under UV but become visible after simulated breath exposure and subsequent UV activation. Integrated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) adhesive tapes, the films form tamper-evident labels with customizable branding. Laser-written patterns visible under UV can be erased under ambient humidity and re-encrypted with new motifs, exhibiting rewritable capability. These results provide a new method based on ultraviolet light and multicolor time-resolved coupling in optical encryption, demonstrating industrial production potential for high-end anti-counterfeiting labels.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3542-8
Rechargeable sodium-chlorine (Na/Cl2) batteries derived from thionyl chloride (SOCl2) primary systems offer high theoretical energy density and wide-temperature operation, but their reversibility is constrained by chlorine shuttle and unstable sodium-metal interfaces. Dai et al. demonstrate a Na/Cl2 battery using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the cathode host, a sodium-metal anode, and a SOCl2-based electrolyte containing AlCl3, potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (KFSI), and NaCl additives. The cell delivers an initial discharge capacity of 5400 mAh g−1 (carbon mass basis), a reversible capacity of 3500 mAh g−1, and a discharge plateau near 3.9 V at room temperature, sustaining over 140 cycles at rates up to 2 C with near 100% Coulombic efficiency. The dual-function KFSI additive suppresses sodium dendrites via electrostatic shielding from the lower K+/K redox potential and forms a NaF/KF-rich solid-electrolyte interphase. In situ Raman spectroscopy reveals reversible SCl2 and S2Cl2 formation at the end of charge, contributing an additional ~3.9 V plateau, while the main Cl−/Cl2 redox plateau remains at ~3.55 V. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy shows NaCl nanocrystals deposited within the hollow cores of MWCNTs, and electron energy loss spectroscopy confirms uniform chlorine distribution on nanotube surfaces in the charged state. A high defect density (Raman D/G ratio = 1.01) and large pore volume (2.48 cm3 g−1) are identified as critical enablers of superior battery performance.