SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4320-4
Colloidal lead halide perovskite quantum dots (Pe-QDs) have achieved external quantum efficiencies exceeding 20% in red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs), yet their integration into high-resolution displays is impeded by two persistent bottlenecks: the intrinsic ionic lability of Pe-QDs, which compromises structural and environmental stability, and the absence of mild, high-fidelity patterning techniques that avoid ligand detachment and surface defect formation. This work addresses both obstacles through a dual strategy. First, a ligand-fluoride co-stabilization method yields shape-defined, colloidally stable rhombic dodecahedral CsPbBr3 Pe-QDs; subsequent fluorine surface reconstruction using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) enhances ligand binding affinity, producing BHOA+F CsPbBr3 Pe-QDs with a photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) of 94.6%. Accelerated ageing, ultraviolet irradiation, and thermal cycling tests confirm improved structural and environmental stability. Second, capillary liquid-bridge confined assembly enables reproducible, scalable fabrication of pixelated Pe-QDs with in-plane long-range order, vertical confinement, and precise spatial patterning. The resulting pixelated Pe-QDs LEDs exhibit high efficiency, sufficient brightness, and long operational stability, with the approach generalizable across red, green, and blue Pe-QDs for wide color gamut displays. This combination of surface fluorination and liquid-bridge assembly represents a landmark achievement in high-resolution display technology.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4165-1
Developing efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) synthesis is vital for sustainable chemistry, yet optimizing the electronic structure of triazine-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) through precise spatial engineering remains a challenge. In this work, we constructed four model COFs to systematically decode how the spatial arrangement and incorporation level of triazine moieties regulate the electronic structures and H2O2 production efficiency. Combined experimental and theoretical analyses revealed that FB-AT achieved an optimal donor-acceptor architecture via rational spatial arrangement of triazine and benzene moieties. This configuration established an intramolecular potential gradient, which not only promoted charge separation by suppressing the exciton binding energy but also enriched the electron density at triazine sites. These electron-rich active centers significantly facilitated the oxygen reduction reaction by lowering the thermodynamic energy barrier for *OOH intermediate formation. Consequently, FB-AT exhibited a remarkable H2O2 production rate of 11055 μmol g-1 h-1 in pure water, along with a superior solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 1.16%. Additionally, FB-AT enabled complete degradation of phenol, tetracycline, and rhodamine B within 5–15 min of visible light irradiation. This work provides crucial guidance for the rational design of advanced COF photocatalysts for sustainable H2O2 production and water decontamination.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4262-7
The escalating demands of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural computing necessitate multifunctional optoelectronic devices capable of integrating sensing, memory, and processing. Two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) offer unique advantages, yet their practical deployment is hindered by complex architectures and inefficient mode-switching. Here, we demonstrate a MoTe2/SnS2 anti-ambipolar heterojunction device enabling single-gate reconfiguration among frequency doubling, broadband photodetection, and neuromorphic computing. The device exhibits a peak-to-valley ratio (PVR) of 465, ensuring efficient frequency doubling. As a photodetector, it operates across an exceptionally broad spectral range of 520–2200 nm, with outstanding responsivity and detectivity. Furthermore, the device emulates complete synaptic behaviors, including short-term plasticity (STP), long-term plasticity (LTP), and paired-pulse facilitation (PPF). Integrated into a reservoir computing (RC) system trained on a vehicle motion dataset, it achieves a directional recognition accuracy of 98.7%. This work establishes a paradigm for multifunctional integration and low-power neuromorphic computing, advancing next-generation intelligent optoelectronic systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3579-8
Metal sulfides such as CdS are promising for solar-driven H2O2 production but suffer from rapid charge recombination and severe photocorrosion. This study introduces a dual-functional strategy synergizing sulfur vacancy (Sv) engineering and polydopamine (PDA) coating to overcome these limitations. Sv-CdS nanorods were hydrothermally synthesized with tunable vacancy concentrations, followed by in-situ PDA deposition to construct a direct Z-scheme heterojunction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the introduction of S vacancies reduces the work function of CdS, facilitating energy level alignment with PDA and enabling efficient electron transfer from CdS to PDA. By tuning the concentration of S vacancies, the charge transfer efficiency can be maximized. As a result, the photocatalytic H2O2 production rate reaches 2539.5 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light, and further increases to 4395.5 μmol g−1 h−1 after PDA encapsulation—15.6 times higher than that of pristine CdS. Concurrently, PDA enhances O2 adsorption and protects Sv-CdS from photocorrosion. Sv-CdS@PDA exhibited superior photostability compared to Sv-CdS after three consecutive photocatalytic cycles. Mechanistic studies suggest that the Z-scheme heterojunction effectively separates electron-hole pairs: electrons in the conduction band of CdS reduce O2 to ·O2−, which is subsequently converted to H2O2, while holes in the valence band of Sv-CdS oxidize water to replenish O2. This work provides fundamental insights into engineering charge transfer and stability in sulfide-based photocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3559-5
Polyamide (PA) membranes are promising for lithium extraction from spent lithium-ion battery (LIB) leachate but face a trade-off between selectivity and permeability. Here, we demonstrate that nascent PA membranes post-grafted with triaminoguanidinium (TAG) monomers (PA-TAG membranes) gain expanded ion passage channels (0.8–7.1 Å) and enhanced positive charge, achieving high-performance lithium separation. The PA-TAG membrane exhibits a pure water permeance (PWP) of 15.5 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, superior divalent ion rejection (~98%), and an excellent separation factor (~30), significantly outperforming pristine PA membranes. In a simulated acidic battery leachate, the PA-TAG membrane achieved a relative volumetric lithium recovery rate of 48.2% after a two-stage nanofiltration process, with the Li+/M2+ mass ratio of the second permeate reaching 53.35, 445 times that of the feed (0.12). The membrane maintained stable performance over 45 hours of nanofiltration and resisted acidic conditions (pH=2) for at least 20 days. These results highlight the potential of PA-TAG membranes for efficient lithium extraction from acidic battery leachate, addressing the critical need for sustainable recycling of spent LIBs.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60610-4
In this study, melamine and cyanuric acid were used as precursors to form supramolecular crystals via hydrogen-bond-assisted self-assembly followed by hydrothermal treatment. Subsequent high-temperature calcination yielded a novel brush-like three-dimensional carbon nitride. The brush-like 3D architecture was found to expose more accessible active sites, markedly accelerate electron transfer, and suppress the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. The resulting superoxide (O2•−) and hydroxyl (•OH) radicals generated via electron reduction were identified as the key reactive species in the photocatalytic process. Moreover, the surface of the brush-like structure is enriched with nitrogen vacancies, which enhance the catalyst’s ability to harvest visible light. The photocatalytic performance of the brush-like CNS-650 catalyst was evaluated for rhodamine B (RhB) degradation. Under red-light irradiation (660 nm), its degradation rate was 7.4 times higher than that of bulk CN. This work provides valuable insights into the design and application of efficient metal-free 3D photocatalysts.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60646-9
This dataset provides high-precision molecular dynamics trajectories for oxidative pyrolysis of three paraffin models with distinct straight-chain hydrocarbon distributions, simulated over a temperature range of 2100–2500 K. The COMPASS force field was used for initial structure optimization, and the ReaxFF reactive force field for pyrolysis simulation. The database comprises atomic trajectories, species evolution information, and reaction network analysis results for both heating and isothermal cracking processes, totaling approximately 141 GB and including 150,000 atomic configuration frames. Data are stored in a hierarchical directory structure, supporting multi-scale mechanistic studies. The dataset enables quantitative analysis of carbon chain length effects on reaction pathways, high-resolution tracking of free radical evolution, and extraction of kinetic parameters across a wide temperature range. It provides an atomic-scale foundation for understanding paraffin oxidative pyrolysis, with implications for addressing wax deposition in oil and gas extraction, enhancing product selectivity in cracking processes, and advancing clean fuel technologies. The data are publicly available via DOI:10.57760/sciencedb.31639.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3487-x
Continuous carbon fiber-reinforced ZrB2-SiC ceramic matrix composites are promising thermal protection materials for hypersonic vehicles and reusable spacecraft. Although injection-assisted vacuum impregnation (IVI) offers advantages such as shorter processing cycles, lower costs, and reduced fiber damage compared to conventional methods, phenolic/acetone-based IVI systems yield composites (designated as CPS) with limited ceramic contents. To address this, an aqueous slurry-based IVI approach was developed, producing composites designated as CHS. After a single IVI cycle, CHS achieved a ZrB2 phase volume fraction of 25 vol.%, 47% higher than CPS, while reducing processing time by 49%. After chemical vapor infiltration, CVI-CHS composite exhibited a room-temperature compressive strength of 106.78±10.53 MPa, representing a 28% improvement over CVI-CPS. Crack propagation analysis revealed discontinuous zigzag patterns under compression, dominated by fiber bridging and pull-out energy dissipation mechanisms. Flexural results revealed both composites retain considerable strength (111.15±12.46 and 83.15±12.03 MPa) along with low flexural modulus (13.00±2.41 and 13.52±6.99 GPa) and high strain tolerance (1.32%±0.018% and 1.07%±0.34%). It is attributed to the anisotropy of fiber preforms and the elastic modulus mismatch among different phases, which hindered effective constraint of fibers by the matrix and, in turn, facilitated mitigation of stress concentration. Additionally, CVI-CPS demonstrated superior X-band electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding (34–36 dB) compared to CVI-CHS (22–27 dB), resulting from synergistic effects between pyrolitic and deposited carbon in the matrix of the former. Both composites showed enhanced EMI shielding efficiency with increasing temperature up to 600°C. This eco-friendly aqueous IVI strategy enables high-performance, cost-effective thermal protection materials with higher ceramic loading and tunable multifunctional properties.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60673-1
Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) is a fundamental technique in surface science and heterogeneous catalysis for characterizing adsorption behavior and extracting key parameters such as adsorption energy. However, the majority of existing TPD data is accessible only in the form of published images, lacking structured and quantitative datasets, which constrains rigorous quantitative analysis and computational modeling. Using carbon monoxide (CO) as a widely adopted probe molecule, we constructed a curated and standardized dataset of CO-TPD spectra encompassing 14 transition-metal single-crystal surfaces, including copper (Cu) and ruthenium (Ru). By systematically extracting numerical data points from published spectra and applying normalization, essential spectral features such as peak shape are fully preserved. The dataset also documents relevant experimental parameters, including heating rates, and was developed using a standardized protocol for data collection and quality control. This resource serves as both a reference library to support the deconvolution of TPD spectra from complex catalysts and an experimental benchmark for calibrating parameters in theoretical models. By providing a reliable and accessible data function, this work advances the microscopic understanding and rational design of catalyst active centers.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025091205
This study analyzes the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and driving mechanisms of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO in the Kuytun-Dushanzi-Wusu (Kui-Du-Wu) region of Xinjiang, based on monitoring data from 2018 to 2024. Results indicate that urban sites (e.g., Kuytun Laoganju Station) are influenced by traffic emissions, leading to elevated PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations. Dushanzi District, with petrochemical industry emissions, exhibits notable SO2 and O3 pollution. Agricultural areas (e.g., Kuytun Huaxin Tomato Company) show significant PM10 and CO levels affected by dust and diesel machinery. Over the study period, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO concentrations generally declined at annual rates of 1.5–4.0 μg·m−3·a−1, reflecting the effectiveness of coal substitution, industrial upgrades, and vehicle emission controls. Conversely, O3 concentrations increased consistently at rates of 1.3–3.2 μg·m−3·a−1, highlighting shortcomings in volatile organic compound (VOCs) control. Seasonal patterns show PM and CO peaking in winter due to heating combustion and temperature inversions, and reaching minima in summer due to enhanced diffusion and precipitation. O3 peaks in summer driven by photochemical reactions, contrasting with NO2 winter highs from heating and industrial activities. The findings underscore the need for coordinated control of VOCs and NOx, optimized dust management, and differentiated emission controls for industrial, traffic, and agricultural sources.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3926-0
Chirality is a fundamental determinant of molecular recognition and biological function, yet its integration into inorganic clusters remains a formidable challenge. Polyoxometalates (POMs), characterized by atomic precision, structural tunability, and versatile redox properties, provide an exceptional platform for investigating chirality at the interface of inorganic chemistry and biomedicine. Over the past two decades, substantial progress has been made in constructing chiral POM-based materials through diverse strategies, including chirality induction by external environments, intrinsic structural chirality, spontaneous symmetry breaking, and the design of self-assembled supramolecular architectures. The distinctive combination of redox activity, stability, and chirality in these systems has unlocked new avenues for biomedical applications, spanning antibacterial and anticancer therapies to potential interventions in neurodegenerative disorders. This review comprehensively overviews recent advances in the synthesis and biomedical applications of chiral POM-based materials, while outlining key challenges and opportunities that will guide future research in this emerging field.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3754-1
Chiral polyester materials that integrate chemical recyclability with high performance have become a focal point in sustainable polymer research. Their thermal and mechanical properties are intrinsically linked to polymer microstructure, with stereoregular chiral polyesters typically exhibiting superior crystallinity and performance relative to atactic counterparts. Asymmetric kinetic resolution polymerization (AKRP) has emerged as a powerful method for synthesizing stereoregular chiral polyesters from racemic monomers, utilizing chiral catalysts to selectively recognize and polymerize one enantiomer while leaving the other unreacted. Recent advances have expanded AKRP scope to include targeted recognition of specific substrate sites based on chiral discrimination. This review summarizes recent progress in AKRP across representative monomer systems, categorized by ring size, highlighting breakthroughs in catalyst design, mechanistic understanding, and material properties. Key metrics such as kinetic resolution coefficient (k_rel) and selectivity factor (s-factor) are discussed as quantitative measures of stereoselective control. The review underscores the potential of AKRP to circumvent costly enantiomer separation, offering a promising route to advanced chiral polyesters with tailored properties for applications ranging from biodegradable plastics to biomedical materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3850-3
Chiral nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention for antibacterial applications due to their unique chiroptical properties. Here, we report a novel spatiotemporally precise synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) strategy using circularly polarized light (CPL)-activated chiral molybdenum-doped carbon dots (L-Mo-CDs and D-Mo-CDs). These chiral carbon dots were synthesized using chiral tartaric acid as a precursor. Notably, D-Mo-CDs selectively respond to left-handed CPL (LCP), while L-Mo-CDs respond to right-handed CPL (RCP). Under CPL irradiation, D-Mo-CDs exhibit enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and a higher photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to L-Mo-CDs. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrate that D-Mo-CDs possess excellent bactericidal efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In vivo wound healing studies in a mouse model reveal remarkable therapeutic efficacy, attributed to reduced inflammation, accelerated angiogenesis, and enhanced collagen deposition. This work introduces a paradigm for utilizing chiral carbon dots in precision antibacterial therapy, addressing the limitations of conventional chiral nanomaterials such as poor biocompatibility and low photothermal conversion. The findings underscore the potential of metal-doped chiral carbon dots for advanced biomedical applications, offering a spatiotemporally controllable approach to combat bacterial infections without promoting resistance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3993-y
Conventional liquid-phase in-situ synthesis of Cu-TiB2 composites often suffers from coarse and non-uniformly distributed reinforcements, stemming from insufficient understanding and control over the in-situ nucleation and growth mechanisms of TiB2 particles. This study introduces a novel melt dispersion-turbulent mixing (MDTM) in-situ reaction technology to fabricate high-performance Cu-TiB2 composites. The MDTM strategy synergistically refines reaction micro-regions by reducing the initial melt droplet size via melt dispersion while enhancing solute convection via turbulence, promoting high-density nucleation and refinement of TiB2 particles. Based on turbulence characteristics and in-situ reaction kinetics, we optimized the melt disperser parameters and established a quantitative model linking particle size to disperser rotation speed and reactant solute concentration. It was found that disperser rotation speed governs three distinct nucleation and growth mechanisms for TiB2 particles. Low-density nucleation at low disperser rotation speeds (0–50 r/min) leads to coarse TiB2 particles. At medium rotation speeds (100–150 r/min), the refinement of micro-regions in the dual-melt reaction achieves high-density TiB2 nucleation. Conversely, at high rotation speeds (150–200 r/min), intense turbulence weakens the nucleation driving force and induces TiB2 particle coarsening. This work provides new insights into liquid-phase in-situ reaction mechanisms and offers a novel, controllable route for fabricating high-performance micro/nano particle-reinforced metal matrix composites.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510041
This study presents a full-scale engineering practice of retrofitting an idle upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor into an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system for treating low-strength municipal wastewater. The design capacity was 20,000 m3/d (maximum 24,000 m3/d), achieving separate treatment of industrial and domestic wastewater to reduce operational costs. Systematic analysis covered hydraulic capacity enhancement, effluent quality, pollutant removal efficiencies, sludge granulation progress, and operational costs. Results showed rapid start-up: the system reached 75% of design capacity by day 10 and 90% by day 26. During a 4-month operation, average removal efficiencies for COD, NH4+-N, TN, and SS were 83.2%, 97.0%, 75.9%, and 94.4%, respectively, even under low influent BOD5/TN ratios (typically below 4). Granulation progressed quickly: by day 44, average particle size was 2.6 times that of the inoculum and over 4 times that of flocs, with granules (>200 μm) accounting for 17.3%; by day 110, these values increased to 3.2 times and 5 times, with granule proportion reaching 33.4%. Compared to the previous year (June–August), the AGS process reduced electricity consumption, chemical consumption, and sludge production by 77.3%, 25.4%, and 30.4%, respectively, while saving 65.6% of footprint. This ten-thousand-ton case provides a practical basis for AGS technology application in China.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511003
Tailings dam leakage can cause secondary sudden water pollution events, imposing severe combined stress of high turbidity and heavy metal contamination on natural water bodies within a short period, threatening aquatic ecological security. Existing studies have systematically revealed the pollution characteristics and biological effects of such events, which are fundamentally distinct from natural high-turbidity water and industrial wastewater leakage. Compared with natural high-turbidity water, tailings leakage inputs finer particles with higher specific surface area, leading to more intense and prolonged turbidity stress. Meanwhile, heavy metals in tailings are more enriched than natural sediments, with higher proportions of active forms and bioavailability, causing significant bioaccumulation and toxic effects, and long-term decline in benthic community species richness. Compared with industrial wastewater leakage, tailings leakage simultaneously releases high concentrations of fine suspended solids and multiple heavy metals, forming a unique 'physical-chemical' combined stress. This synergistic effect amplifies biological toxicity through multiple pathways such as mechanical damage, light limitation, and oxidative stress, resulting in severe and often irreversible ecological damage, such as impaired fish swimming behavior and collapse of benthic community structure. Analyzing the long-term impacts of tailings leakage on aquatic ecosystems from the perspective of combined stress is helpful for providing scientific basis for emergency response and medium-to-long-term ecological risk prevention of related sudden water pollution events.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025051307
This study investigates the ionic concentration characteristics and sources of atmospheric precipitation in Changsha, China, based on samples collected from December 2019 to November 2021. The total dissolved solids (TDS) in precipitation ranged from 51.71 to 813.40 μeq·L−1, with a volume-weighted mean (VWM) concentration of 245.58 μeq·L−1. The VWM ionic concentrations followed the order: Ca2+ > SO4^2− > NO3^− > HCO3^− > K+ > Na+ > Cl− > Mg2+. Ca2+ and SO4^2− together accounted for 55.76% of the total ionic mass. Seasonal variation of total ionic concentration was highest in winter and lowest in spring, following the order winter > autumn > summer > spring. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive correlations between SO4^2− and NO3^− (r = 0.78) and between Ca2+ and Mg2+ (r = 0.70), suggesting common sources. Principal component analysis and enrichment factor (EF) analysis indicated that SO4^2− and NO3^− predominantly originated from anthropogenic activities, with contribution rates of 99.5% and 95.4%, respectively, likely from coal combustion and industrial emissions. Ca2+ and K+ were mainly terrestrial, with contribution rates of 99.2% and 98.3%, respectively, from soil and biomass burning. Mg2+ had dual sources: 68.8% terrestrial and 31.2% marine. Cl− exhibited an EFmarine of 0.74 and EFsoil of 50.20, indicating a dominant marine source contributing 98% of its input. These findings provide a scientific basis for understanding regional atmospheric pollution and supporting environmental management strategies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3921-2
Moisture-enabled energy harvesting technologies offer a promising route for self-powered strain sensing, yet conventional generators suffer from slow response, poor recovery, and limited multidirectional resolution. Here, we report a stretchable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofiber moisture-enabled electric generator (MEG) with highly aligned ion channels. A carbon black/sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (CB/SDBS) layer is coated on the TPU membrane, while carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and acidified poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (HPSS) are applied on opposite sides, establishing lateral hydrophilicity and ion gradients to drive directional ion migration. The planar MEG is lightweight, flexible, and requires no fully covered electrodes, enabling conformity to complex deformations. The aligned channels reduce ion migration tortuosity, enhancing ion transport efficiency and flux. As a result, the aligned MEG (ATMEG) delivers 0.2 V and 0.51 μA cm−2 at ~90% relative humidity, corresponding to 400% and 287% enhancements compared with the unaligned MEG (UATMEG). The ATMEG also exhibits ultrafast response (0.16 s) and recovery (0.08 s). Utilizing its anisotropic characteristics, a multidirectional self-powered strain sensor is developed, capable of distinguishing both the amplitude and direction of human motion, demonstrating strong potential for adaptive wearable electronics and intelligent motion monitoring.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512059
Recovery of palladium from Pd-bearing wastewater is economically and environmentally significant. Adsorption is a promising method due to its simplicity, low cost, and high efficiency. In this study, a novel thiol-modified adsorbent (CHT-SH) was synthesized via one-step functionalization of inexpensive chitin (CHT) with thioglycolic acid. At room temperature and pH=2, CHT-SH exhibited an experimental adsorption capacity of 223.67 mg·g−1 for Pd(II), which was approximately 7 times higher than that of pristine CHT (30.6 mg·g−1). Kinetic and isotherm studies indicated that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum theoretical adsorption capacity of 248.89 mg·g−1, suggesting monolayer chemisorption. Characterization (FTIR, SEM, XPS, XRD) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the adsorption mechanism primarily involved synergistic coordination of nitrogen and sulfur atoms, along with electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, CHT-SH demonstrated good reusability, retaining stable adsorption capacity after five adsorption-desorption cycles. Compared to other adsorbents that rely on redox mechanisms and are costly, CHT-SH offers comprehensive advantages. This work provides a cost-effective and efficient adsorbent for Pd(II) recovery from wastewater, offering technical support and theoretical reference for practical applications.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025051502
Contamination of indoor air with illicit drugs poses a serious threat to public health and safety. Accurate and precise methods for monitoring these drugs are crucial for combating drug production, trafficking, and abuse, as well as reducing the risk of occupational exposure in law enforcement and healthcare workers. Current on-site rapid detection techniques for drugs in indoor air primarily include ion mobility spectrometry and electronic nose technology. Chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques are often used in the laboratory. Monitored drug types include heroin, amphetamine-type stimulants, cannabis, cocaine, synthetic cannabinoids, and fentanyl analogs, with concentration ranges ranging from a few ng·m−3 to several hundred µg·m−3. Drug concentrations are influenced by factors such as the drug type, methods involved in production and abuse, intensities of human activity, and ventilation conditions. While it has been demonstrated that long-term exposure to drug-contaminated environments may cause persistent physical discomfort, the specific mechanisms underlying health risks require further investigation. This paper reviews the sources of illicit drugs in indoor air, their detection methods, and typical application scenarios. It also analyzes the shortcomings of existing studies and proposes future research directions. The aim is to provide technical references for the monitoring of drugs in indoor air environments.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4015-5
Mechanochromic photonic crystals are promising for smart optical materials due to their tunable photonic stop band. Here, we report interface-engineered transparent and mechanochromic non-close-packed photonic crystals (NPCs) by incorporating polystyrene@vinyl-modified SiO2 (PS@V-SiO2) nanospheres (n_PS=1.59, n_V-SiO2=1.46) into a photocurable phenoxypolyethylene glycol acrylate (PEGPEA) matrix (n_PEGPEA=1.52). The nanospheres formed solvation-mediated liquid NPCs in the precursor. Ultraviolet (UV) curing promoted copolymerization between surface C=C bonds of nanospheres and the matrix, which reduced interfacial scattering and enabled highly transparent NPC films. Meanwhile, non-uniform polymer shrinkage led to variations in the ordering of nanospheres, especially in structures with a low volume fraction (φ ≤ 0.23). Under external strain (ε: 0–64%), the film exhibited a dynamic color response. Initially, stretching enhanced the ordering of the nanospheres and the reflection intensity of NPCs, thereby activating the structural color. Further deformation, however, introduced defects and reduced the reflectivity. A blue shift of ~213 nm was achieved in an NPC (φ = 0.23) fabricated by 170 nm of PS@V-SiO2 nanospheres, accompanied by a color gradient from red to blue. Comparisons across SiO2–poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA, n_PEGDA=1.45), SiO2–PEGPEA, and PS@V-SiO2–PEGDA NPC systems highlighted the key role of interfacial scattering, which is affected by the synergistic effects of interfacial covalent polymerization, refractive index matching between the elastomer matrix and nanospheres, and the crosslinking density. This work demonstrates spectrally tunable mechanochromism via size control and patterned anti-counterfeiting labels, thereby providing insights for designing advanced anti-counterfeiting materials applicable in flexible electronics and displays.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4117-y
Real-time, in situ imaging of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a key reactive oxygen species implicated in various diseases, remains challenging due to limitations of existing probes, such as short emission wavelengths and reliance on external excitation. To address these issues, we developed an H2O2-triggered near-infrared (NIR) chemiluminescence (CL) nanoprobe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics for in vivo inflammation imaging and tumor theranostics. This nanoprobe, denoted as CPPO@TN NPs, was constructed by co-encapsulating a tailored AIE photosensitizer (TN) with strong NIR emission and high singlet oxygen (1O2) generation, a H2O2-responsive chemiluminescent substrate (CPPO), and soybean oil (as a retarder) within F-127 micelles. Upon encountering H2O2, the nanoprobe undergoes a persistent chemically initiated electron exchange luminescence (CIEEL) process that activates AIEgens, resulting in intense NIR chemiluminescence and sustained 1O2 production without the need for external irradiation. Leveraging this mechanism, CPPO@TN NPs achieved highly sensitive and specific imaging of drug-induced liver injury and peritonitis in murine models, with exceptional tissue penetration and signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, the nanoprobe facilitated effective self-luminescent imaging and photodynamic therapy of tumors, significantly inhibiting tumor growth in a 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model. This platform provides an external light excitation-free theranostic strategy for H2O2-associated diseases.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3375-8
Artificial tactile perception systems require efficient signal conversion and pulse encoding to emulate biological touch. Conventional CMOS-based approaches suffer from circuit complexity and high power consumption. This work demonstrates a two-dimensional tellurene (Te) threshold switching (TS) memristor with low high-resistance-state variation, enabling artificial nociceptive behavior and leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neuron emulation. The Te TS memristor exhibits abrupt resistance switching and low power consumption. By integrating this LIF neuron with a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG), a self-powered artificial tactile perception system is constructed. Under mechanical stimulation, the system demonstrates a self-protection function analogous to the hand retraction reflex. The bio-inspired architecture eliminates external power sources and reduces circuit overhead. Key performance metrics include stable threshold switching, low variation in high resistance state, and reliable spike encoding. This work validates the potential of 2D tellurene for next-generation bio-inspired electronics and human-machine interaction systems, offering a pathway toward energy-autonomous tactile sensing with intrinsic protection mechanisms.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3530-3
Organic semiconductors (OSCs) are pivotal for large-area wearable devices, optoelectronic displays, logic circuits, and next-generation optoelectronics, yet their commercialization is impeded by extrinsic impurities, particularly ubiquitous oxygen. Oxygen's high electronegativity drives redox interactions within OSCs, traditionally viewed as detrimental charge-carrier traps that degrade performance and stability. Recent evidence reveals a paradoxical effect: at trace levels, oxygen doping can enhance device performance and stability by pre-emptying donor-like traps. This perspective delineates the mechanistic underpinnings of trace oxygen doping, discussing state-of-the-art modulation strategies to optimize device mobility and stability. Through systematic analysis of structure-property relationships, we examine oxygen-induced modifications in charge transport dynamics and operational reliability. We propose a development framework for oxygen element doping engineering and outline emergent challenges in interfacial stabilization protocols. The analysis synthesizes findings from recent literature, including observations that prolonged air exposure leads to oxygen adsorption and penetration into the organic semiconductor channel, forming traps. By reconciling contradictory roles of oxygen, this work provides a roadmap for precise oxygen modulation, aiming to overcome stability bottlenecks in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), and sensing devices. The perspective underscores the need for targeted strategies to control oxygen incorporation at trace levels, balancing trap passivation and doping effects to achieve optimized optoelectronic performance and operational longevity.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3497-6
Graphdiyne (GDY) possesses a tunable intrinsic bandgap, high charge carrier mobility, and broad-spectrum absorption, making it a candidate for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. However, GDY/wide-band semiconductor photocatalysts are constrained by low doping concentrations and insufficient absorption in the visible-to-near-infrared (Vis-NIR) region, which limits full-spectrum energy utilization. To address these limitations, functional graphdiyne quantum dots (PG-QDs) incorporating perylene diimide (PDI) units were designed and synthesized. The PG-QDs exhibit tailored spectral absorption, reducing competition with wide-band semiconductors for UV light while enhancing Vis-NIR absorption and photothermal conversion. The PG-QDs overcome the doping concentration limitations of conventional GDY-based photocatalysts, achieving an optimal doping ratio of 15% without suppressing hydrogen evolution activity. The pronounced photothermal effect effectively suppresses the recombination of photogenerated carriers and enhances charge carrier separation efficiency. The hydrogen evolution rate reached 12.69 mmol g−1 h−1, over thirty times higher than that of P25. This study presents a strategy for improving the full-spectrum energy utilization of GDY-based photocatalysts.