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/s40843-025-3647-4
Chromium oxides (CrOx) and fluorinated graphite (CFx) are two typical cathode materials for lithium primary batteries. The former possesses the highest theoretical energy density but suffers from low practical capacity and inferior rate capability; the latter has the highest theoretical discharge capacity but fails to support fast discharge. Combining the merits of both cathodes via a composite design is desirable, yet the electrochemical performance of such composites remains unsatisfactory. In this work, we identified that by regulating the overlapped discharge potential of these two cathodes, fluorine atoms migrate from CFx to CrOx, leading to a homogeneous distribution of LiF and improved ionic and electronic conductivity, ultimately enhancing high-rate discharge performance. Benefiting from this synergetic effect, the CrOx/10%eCFx composite exhibits a considerably high energy density of 496.59 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 49.7 kW kg−1 (50 C), far superior to pure CrOx and CFx electrodes. We believe that the high-performance CrOx/eCFx composite cathode will justify its practical application in revitalizing advanced lithium primary batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3714-3
Eco-friendly aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) are promising alternatives to lead-acid batteries in applications requiring both safety and energy density. However, their practical deployment is hindered by the synergistic deterioration of zinc anodes—structural collapse and kinetic failure—under high depth of discharge (DOD) and high current densities, which severely limits actual energy and power densities. Here, we report a strategy for the in situ integration of a double-layer topological chitosan framework (D-CTS) on current collectors via regulating phase separation kinetics during multistage coordination-neutralization electrophoresis. The vertical through-hole array is formed by coupling instantaneous and delayed phase separation. Subsequently, a columnar zinc array is mediated by D-CTS to construct an integrated component (D-CTS-Zn) comprising a vertical through-hole separator and an array anode. The embedded interconnected nanonetworks within the through-hole walls enable dynamic equilibrium of the columnar zinc array through a lateral ion compensation mechanism. As a result, Zn||Zn symmetric cells with D-CTS-Zn stably cycle over 3000 cycles at 200 mA cm−2 under 60% DOD. The assembled D-CTS-Zn||MnO2 battery delivers an energy density of 83 Wh kg−1 at an ultrahigh power density of 9.25 kW kg−1. This work provides a constructive strategy for chitosan phase separation regulation and separator-induced reversible metal array anodes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3686-6
Fused silica (SiO2) exhibits exceptional thermal stability and dielectric properties, making it an attractive material for aerospace and military applications. However, its relatively poor mechanical performance has limited its widespread practical utilization. This study proposed an innovative approach to fabricate SiO2-hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) composite ceramics via spark plasma sintering (SPS), leveraging the high-temperature phase transformation of cubic boron nitride (cBN) to introduce randomly oriented hBN as a reinforcing phase within the SiO2 matrix. The randomly oriented hBN nanoplates allow cracks to propagate along stronger grain boundaries, rather than along weaker interlayers of hBN, significantly improving the overall strength and fracture toughness of the composite. The maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness achieved are 183.4 MPa and 2.06 MPa m1/2 respectively, which are 3.6 times and 4 times that of fused SiO2. Concurrently, the composites exhibit low dielectric constants (ε = 3.58–3.69) and dielectric losses (tan δ < 0.0087) at 1 MHz. This work successfully enhanced the mechanical performance of fused SiO2 while preserving its excellent dielectric characteristics, opening new possibilities for its potential applications in advanced structural and functional fields.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61066-9
Carbon materials suffer from limited dielectric loss, resulting in poor impedance matching and inadequate microwave attenuation. To address this, hierarchical structures with synergistic loss mechanisms are sought. Here, biomass cattail serves as a sustainable precursor for nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube arrays decorated with Fe3C nanoparticles via chemical vapor deposition, yielding Fe3C@NCNTs/CMTs composites. The crystallinity, tuned by calcination temperature, critically influences microwave absorption. At 800 °C, the composite achieves a minimum reflection loss of –35.8 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 7.02 GHz at a thickness of only 1.7 mm, with an ultralow filler loading of 10 wt%, covering the entire Ku band and part of the X band. This performance stems from enhanced magnetic loss and multiple dielectric polarization mechanisms. The study demonstrates a promising strategy for designing biomass-derived carbon-based broadband microwave absorbers.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0027
Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers a promising route to mitigate CO2 emissions while producing valuable chemicals. This study reports a Cu-Sn alloy catalyst with a wheat-ear-like dendritic structure, fabricated via a one-step electrodeposition method, for selective CO2 electroreduction to formate. Compared to pure Cu and Sn electrodes, the Cu-Sn alloy exhibits superior catalytic activity and selectivity toward formate, achieving a maximum Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 80% and maintaining above 70% FE over a potential window from -1.7 V to -2.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The enhanced performance is attributed to the unique dendritic morphology that provides abundant active sites and the synergistic alloying effect that modulates the adsorption of the CO2*- intermediate, as corroborated by electrochemical measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This work presents a facile strategy for designing bimetallic catalysts for efficient CO2RR to formate.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3930-3
Methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr3) single crystals (SCs) are promising for room-temperature gamma-ray and X-ray detection, but scaling their size often compromises crystal quality. Here, we report a strategic precursor stoichiometry engineering approach to grow inch-sized, high-quality MAPbBr3 SCs via a constant-temperature evaporation method. We show that constructing a robust electrical double layer through organic cation modulation effectively stabilizes the colloidal precursor. This is achieved by synergistically suppressing MA+ deprotonation while promoting MA+ adsorption as counterions on the [PbBrn]2−n complexes, which collectively strengthens interparticle repulsion and raises the nucleation barrier. This multifaceted approach yields MAPbBr3 SCs with lateral dimensions up to 2 inches and an exceptional X-ray diffraction rocking curve full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.0093° at the (002) face. Consequently, the SCs enable spectroscopic-grade gamma-ray detection, achieving energy resolutions (ER) of 8.4% for the 57Co source (122 keV) and 11.1% for the 137Cs source (662 keV), along with a high X-ray sensitivity of 1.65 × 10^4 μC Gy−1 cm−2. This work paves the way for the practical application of MAPbBr3 SCs in high-performance gamma-ray and X-ray detection.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3745-1
Short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) organic photodetectors (OPDs) have attracted considerable attention due to their potential to overcome the limitations of inorganic counterparts. However, developing organic semiconductors with strong SWIR detection remains a significant challenge. Herein, we design and synthesize a new conjugated pyrrolic polysquaraine (PSQ-COT) by integrating a pyrrolic squaraine unit with a strong electron-donating moiety, achieving an absorption onset extending to 1.2 μm. To evaluate its detection performance, we fabricated two types of PSQ-COT-based SWIR OPDs with PC61BM and BTP-eC9 as the electron acceptors, respectively. The resulting PSQ-COT:PC61BM OPD exhibited superior detection performance compared with the BTP-eC9 counterpart, achieving an impressive specific detectivity of 1.08 × 10^12 Jones at 1030 nm under zero bias. This enhanced performance is due to the lower degree of energetic disorder and reduced trap density in the PSQ-COT:PC61BM device. Furthermore, we successfully integrated the PSQ-COT:PC61BM OPD into a high-pixel-density image array (640 × 512 pixels), enabling clear matter identification under SWIR light irradiation. This work provides valuable insights into designing high-performance organic semiconductors for SWIR light detection and imaging applications.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509120
The 'Zero-Waste City' initiative, centered on source reduction, resource utilization, and safe disposal of solid waste, aims to minimize environmental impact. To quantitatively assess its carbon reduction contribution, this study took Mianyang as a case, systematically collecting data on solid waste generation, utilization, and disposal across industrial, agricultural, and other sectors from 2021 to 2024. Employing an improved WARM model and emission factor method, and incorporating generation, utilization, and disposal intensities, the carbon reduction benefits before (2021–2022) and after (2023–2024) the initiative were evaluated. Results show that despite significant improvements in comprehensive utilization and safe disposal rates, total solid waste generation increased, leading to a net negative carbon effect of -127.6×10^4 tCO2eq based on absolute quantities. However, after stripping economic and population growth factors, intensity-based accounting revealed a cumulative reduction of 10.8×10^4 tCO2eq, demonstrating significant synergistic benefits. The industrial sector contributed the most, with a reduction of 40.2×10^4 tCO2eq, driven by green transformation and enhanced utilization capacity. Conversely, the rising intensity of domestic solid waste generation resulted in a negative benefit of -46.1×10^4 tCO2eq, highlighting a key area for future improvement. The study underscores the necessity of considering both intensity and absolute quantity dimensions in evaluating rapidly developing cities. These findings provide practical evidence and reference pathways for advancing 'Zero-Waste City' construction and synergistic pollution reduction and carbon mitigation under the 'dual carbon' goals.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025051404
Rubber additives, such as 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG) and p-phenylenediamine antioxidants (PPDs), are widely used in the rubber industry and have been increasingly detected in aquatic environments. This study investigated the distribution characteristics and potential sources of seven typical rubber additives (DPG, 6PPD, IPPD, DPPD, CPPD, DNPD, and 77PD) and the transformation product 6PPD-Q in surface water of the Guangzhou section of the Pearl River, China. A total of 29 sampling sites were analyzed. Total concentrations of the target compounds ranged from 205 to 5400 ng·L−1, with a mean of (820±1100) ng·L−1. DPG was the dominant compound in both dissolved and particle phases, accounting for (99±1.9)% and (66±13)% of the total concentrations, respectively. Source analysis indicated that aquaculture, vessel navigation, agricultural runoff, and wastewater treatment plant discharges likely influence the occurrence of rubber additives in this river section. Risk quotient (RQ) assessment revealed that 6PPD-Q posed high ecological risk at all sampling sites (RQ > 1), while DPG exhibited moderate to high risk at most sites (RQ > 0.1). In contrast, 6PPD, IPPD, CPPD, and DPPD showed low ecological risk. These findings highlight the need for heightened attention to the ecological risks posed by 6PPD-Q and DPG in the Pearl River Basin and provide scientific data for pollution prevention and risk management.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4017-y
Lattice distortion via entropy engineering can significantly optimize thermoelectric performance by intensifying phonon scattering. However, excessive lattice distortion in high-entropy materials inevitably hinders carrier transport, limiting the wide-temperature average ZT (ZTave). To enhance the wide-temperature thermoelectric performance of low-cost PbS-based compounds, this work introduces moderate lattice distortion by controlling entropy around 1.0R (R is the gas constant) to balance phonon and carrier transport, alleviating restrictions on carrier mobility. Substantial Se and Te alloying in PbS induces rock-salt lattice distortion, effectively impeding phonon propagation, thus suppressing lattice thermal conductivity (κlat) from 2.41 W m−1 K−1 in PbS to 0.66 W m−1 K−1 in PbS0.5Se0.35Te0.15 at 300 K. Additionally, Cu interstitials are introduced into the lattice-distorted PbS0.5Se0.35Te0.15 to further optimize carrier density and weighted carrier mobility (μW), leading to significant improvement in μW/κlat parameter at 300–773 K. Finally, a room-temperature ZT of 0.53 and a maximum ZT of 1.44 are obtained in PbS0.5Se0.35Te0.15-1%Cu sample, contributing to an impressive ZTave of 1.08 at 300–773 K and a maximum power generation efficiency (ηmax) of 7.5%. The results outperform previously reported cost-effective PbS-based compounds and highlight the importance of lattice distortion regulation in enhancing wide-temperature thermoelectric performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•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•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3411-3
Electrochemical valorization of ethanol to acetate offers a low-potential alternative to oxygen evolution, but industrial adoption is constrained by insufficient current density and catalyst durability. This work reports FeCoNiOx spinel oxides co-modified with Pt and Ag (FeCoNiOx-PtAg) that enhance interfacial water dissociation to generate moderate *OH coverage while suppressing *OH over-oxidation to *O. The catalyst achieves a maximum Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 98.1% for acetate at 100 mA cm−2, a peak partial current density of 291.2 mA cm−2, and stability exceeding 100 h. In-situ attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) reveals that Pt and Ag co-modification regulates water dissociation, maintaining *OH at levels optimal for nucleophilic attack on CH3CO* intermediates. Techno-economic analysis confirms that the paired ethanol oxidation and hydrogen evolution system is cost-effective and low-carbon. The results establish a viable pathway for selective ethanol electrooxidation to acetate at industrially relevant current densities.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3345-y
Granular carbon molecular sieves (CMSs) with sub-angstrom molecular recognition accuracy were synthesized from coconut shells via a chemical-free, eco-friendly method. The resulting CBCMS-800 exhibits a C2H4 uptake of 2.15 mmol/g at 298 K and 100 kPa while nearly excluding C2H6, achieving a C2H4/C2H6 uptake ratio of 15.36 and a molecular recognition resolution of 0.28 Å. Breakthrough curves confirm excellent separation performance. The evolution of pore size distribution (PSD) in amorphous CMS was elucidated through multiple characterization techniques, revealing that elevated temperature radiation induces both pore creation and shrinkage. A three-region model explains the sub-angstrom sieving mechanism. The precise PSD control at sub-angstrom scale, combined with low cost and structural stability, positions CBCMS-800 as a promising candidate for industrial C2H4/C2H6 separation, offering a sustainable alternative to cryogenic distillation and costly MOFs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3537-3
Thick-film organic solar cells (OSCs) are indispensable for scalable manufacturing, yet they suffer from severe energy loss and complex morphology control. This study reports the synthesis of a fluoropolymer PF8 and its integration with fluorous solvent vapor annealing (FSVA) post-treatment to fabricate high-performance thick-film OSCs. The fluorination strategy and FSVA process synergistically enhance polymer crystallinity and induce an intrinsic fibrous morphology. The FSVA-treated PF8:L8BO device with a 110 nm active layer achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.89%. At film thicknesses of 300 nm and 500 nm, the devices retain high efficiencies of 17.54% and 15.59%, respectively. The 300-nm FSVA-treated blend films exhibit enhanced packing order and well-defined fibrillar morphology, leading to suppressed non-radiative recombination and efficient charge transport along the fiber network. This work demonstrates the potential of combining fluoropolymers with fluorous solvent-based device engineering for advanced thick-film optoelectronic applications, providing a viable pathway for scalable OSC manufacturing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3526-5
Polymer-based positive temperature coefficient (PTC) composites exhibit temperature-responsive resistivity, yet conventional systems with Curie temperatures (Tc) above 50 °C fail to meet the precision thermal management demands of room-temperature electronics. This study presents a ternary composite wherein carbon black (CB) is selectively localized within a myristyl alcohol (MA) phase, stabilized by an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) matrix. The reversible solid-liquid transition of MA dynamically disrupts and reconfigures CB conductive networks, while EVA elasticity suppresses phase migration at elevated temperatures. The optimized MA/EVA/CB composite achieves a low Tc of 35 °C, ultralow initial resistivity (ρin) of 50 Ω cm, high PTC intensity (PTCI = 7.0), and exceptional cycling stability with >95% resistivity retention after 100 thermal cycles. Even after 14 days of real space-environment exposure, the composite maintains ultralow resistivity and high PTCI. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirm molecular integrity under extreme conditions. Microstructural analysis reveals that MA melting/crystallization governs conductive network disruption and reconfiguration. A self-regulating heater fabricated from this composite stabilizes an aluminum block at 30.6 ± 0.03 °C under 20 V in a −10 °C environment without external control. These low-Tc PTC composites offer transformative potential for adaptive thermal management in aerospace electronics.