SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4275-3
Electrochemical in-situ production of active chlorine (AC) via chlorine evolution reaction (CER) can alleviate hull corrosion and residual chlorine overage, which is a highly reliable disinfectant for sewage and ballast water. Nonetheless, the primarily competitive oxygen evolution reaction and gradual anode passivation hinder its practical application. Herein, we employed the in-situ hydrothermal strategy to synthesize Ru/TiO2-x to realize high activity and selectivity of CER. The robust interaction of Ru sites and TiO2-x achieved via a one-step hydrothermal synthesis strategy, the structural and valence state characterizations confirm that Ti3+ stabilizes Ru solely in the metallic state (Ru0) via structural confinement effects, effectively inhibiting catalyst oxidation. As a result, the Ru/TiO2-x requires only an overpotential of 33 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2, and possess strong catalytic durability, sustaining continuous operation for 100 h with negligible current decay. Further integration with a triboelectric nanogenerators successfully realizes the generation of AC, which demonstrates a >99.9% inactivation efficiency against Escherichia coli in simulated seawater environments, while also effectively degrading ammonia nitrogen and urea contaminants in domestic wastewater.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4367-4
Single-crystalline Cs3Cu2I5 has attracted considerable interest owing to its excellent scintillation performance and favorable stability. Nevertheless, second phases induced by peritectic reactions during melt growth give rise to deteriorated scintillation properties and promote crystal cracking. In this work, the effects of non-stoichiometric ratios of raw material (n(CsI)=0.57, 0.62, and 0.63) on the crystallization behavior and scintillation properties were systematically investigated. The results show that the crystal quality is optimal at n(CsI)=0.62, featuring high transparency, absence of macroscopic inclusions, and cracking free, with a PLQY of 79.3%. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence verifies the self-trapped exciton emission mechanism with strong exciton-phonon coupling, giving an exciton binding energy of 473.9 meV and a Huang-Rhys factor S of 79.8. The as-grown crystal exhibits an optimized light yield of 24,380 photons/MeV, an energy resolution of 3.8% for 137Cs (662 keV) γ-rays, a dominant decay time of 957 ns, and excellent linear response in the medium-to-high energy region. Precise regulation of the raw material stoichiometry can effectively suppress the formation of second phases, yielding high-quality Cs3Cu2I5 single crystals whose comprehensive performance demonstrates promising application potential in γ-ray detection.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4203-7
The solution process holds great promise for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) fabrication owing to its minimal material loss, simple processing and low equipment investment. However, solution-processed blue OLEDs still face the challenges of low electroluminescence efficiency and poor working stability. In this study, two new cross-linkable blue light-emitting molecules, v-4CzBn and v-5CzBn, were synthesized. They featured a multicarbazole-substituted benzonitrile donor–acceptor structure as the emitting core, with two vinyl phenyl units on the carbazole rings serving as cross-linking groups. A singlet–triplet energy gap of ΔEST ≤ 0.10 eV and a high reverse intersystem crossing rate (kRISC > 10^6 s−1) were achieved because the three-dimensionally confined covalent network structure formed through a thermal cross-linking reaction limited intramolecular motions and vibrational relaxations of luminescent units. Moreover, this structure suppressed irreversible morphological changes and structural deterioration of light-emitting units due to aggregation or crystallization, improving the light-emitting performance of the device. Nondoped solution-processed OLEDs with the structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/TFB/S-4CzBn/TPBi/LiF/Al exhibited blue emission with a peak at 488 nm, achieving a maximum external quantum efficiency of 12.01%, a maximum luminance of 11,141.15 cd m−2, and a T50 lifetime of 1375.66 h@100 cd m−2. This result represents the longest operational lifetime reported to date for solution-process devices with cross-linked emitting layers.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3617-x
Macrophages are pivotal in infection resolution and tissue repair via dynamic M1-to-M2 phenotypic polarization. Although various nano-biomaterials can modulate macrophage polarization, achieving sequential M1-to-M2 transition using a single nanoformulation remains challenging. Here, we propose a strategy employing transition metal carbide/nitride (MXene) nanosheets, internalized by macrophages, as the sole regulator to induce sequential polarization. Under a rotating magnetic field, the high electrical conductivity and magnetoelectric activity of endocytosed MXene generate electrical signals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), driving M1 polarization. Upon magnetic field removal, the inherent bioactivity of MXene facilitates repolarization to the M2 phenotype. Mechanistically, this transition involves inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. In vivo, MXene nanosheets under on-off rotating magnetic field stimulation enabled sequential M1-to-M2 polarization, promoting bacterial clearance and tissue regeneration in infected wounds. This two-step sequential strategy targeting macrophages offers a promising therapeutic approach for infected wound healing.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507059
Anaerobic digestion sludge (ADS) contains recalcitrant organic matter and exhibits poor dewaterability, posing challenges for disposal. This study evaluated the immobilization of white rot fungi (WRF) on four carriers—polyvinyl alcohol, cotton thread, wood chips, and sodium alginate—for ADS treatment. Cotton thread immobilization yielded the earliest and most sustained enzyme activity, highest biomass retention, and minimal biomass loss. WRF treatment achieved a 10.09% removal of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and significantly disrupted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), selectively degrading soluble EPS. To maintain fungal activity, periodic carrier replacement was required. Compared to the control, the experimental group showed an 8.9 mg·L−1 reduction in total protein and polysaccharide content in soluble EPS, a 27.33% decrease in capillary suction time (CST), and improved sludge dewaterability. These results demonstrate the potential of WRF for ADS treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024110202
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an environmentally friendly biochemical technology for waste treatment and renewable energy production, yet its methane conversion efficiency remains suboptimal. This study employed flux balance analysis (FBA) to determine the optimal temperature for methane production in AD, and subsequently regulated key flexible nodes in the metabolic pathway to maximize methane flux. At the optimal temperature of 40 °C, up-regulating the acetyl-CoA flexible node increased methane flux by 48.5%, while up-regulating the acetate node increased it by 36.6%. The higher improvement via acetyl-CoA regulation is attributed to the fact that 40 °C is unfavorable for hydrogen-producing acetogenic bacteria, making acetyl-CoA the critical control point. These findings demonstrate that flexible node regulation can overcome the limitations of temperature optimization alone. The FBA methodology provides a reliable, cost-effective approach for optimizing target product yields in AD and other fermentation systems, requiring only input and output measurements to resolve intermediate metabolic fluxes.
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.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506084
Groundwater is a vital drinking and irrigation source in the loess regions of northwestern China. In Guyuan, a densely populated area in southern Ningxia, systematic assessments of groundwater pollution risks are lacking. This study collected 60 groundwater samples and employed the Nemerow index, heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and health risk assessment models to evaluate pollution levels and health risks of eight elements including Cr, As, and Hg. Results show that the groundwater is generally Class IV quality, with a mean TDS of 1350.9 mg·L−1. Average concentrations of As, Cr, and Mn are 4.39, 29.87, and 45.77 μg·L−1, respectively. The Nemerow index indicates moderate pollution. The mean HPI is 10.56, but a local sample (PS1-51-下) reaches 36.15, indicating severe pollution. Health risk assessment reveals that carcinogenic risks from Cr and As for adults and children are 8.037×10−6 a−1 and 3.863×10−6 a−1, respectively, below US EPA limits but above recommended levels by Swedish and Dutch agencies, with children at higher risk. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and principal component analysis suggest that groundwater is primarily recharged by atmospheric precipitation. Cr, Zn, and Mn mainly originate from regional copper ore belts, coal mining, and agricultural activities. This study fills a gap in multidimensional groundwater assessment in populated loess areas, identifies pollution characteristics distinct from typical loess regions, and provides a scientific basis for regional water resource risk management and sustainable development.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605006
Military ecological and environmental protection is a critical component of national ecological and environmental protection. Military activities and operations, such as training and drills, weapons and equipment testing, and combat, are prone to triggering a series of ecological and environmental problems, including greenhouse gas emissions, deterioration of water resources and water quality, vegetation destruction, land degradation, and typical physical and chemical pollution, which have attracted extensive global attention. This study systematically analyzed the eco-environmental impacts of military activities on multiple environmental media (atmosphere, water, and soil) across different periods, and conducted pollution source tracing in multi-media and representative regions. It reviewed the current status of ecological and environmental protection technologies for the three major environmental media, i.e., atmosphere, water, and soil, and summarized the characteristics and constraints of military ecological and environmental research. Finally, it proposed the research trends and key development directions for military ecological and environmental protection from four dimensions: data monitoring and sharing, research and development of in-situ remediation technologies for military-civilian integrated combined pollution, green construction practices for military facilities, and optimization of management systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3818-4
The electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) to multi-carbon (C2+) products is of significant interest due to its implications for chemical manufacturing and carbon neutrality. However, the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and sluggish C–C coupling kinetics impede selectivity at industrial current densities. Here, we report an interfacial nanoconfinement strategy using N-(2-acetamido)iminodiacetic acid (ADA) to engineer a series of capping layer-covered Cu catalysts (Cu@ADA-x). A volcano-type correlation between capping layer thickness and C2+ selectivity is observed. The optimized Cu@ADA-m catalyst achieves a maximum Faradaic efficiency for C2+ products (FE C2+) of 86.8% and maintains over 80% of its initial FE C2+ after 42 hours at 200 mA cm−2, with an energy efficiency of 38.5%. In-situ Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the capping architecture stabilizes metastable Cu species and optimizes gas adsorption, enhancing *CO intermediate utilization and lowering C–C coupling energy barriers. This work provides a catalyst design principle for industrial-scale carbon-neutral electrochemical production of multi-carbon products.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3898-7
Platinum (Pt) is the benchmark catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in acidic electrolytes, but its performance in alkaline media is limited by excessively strong hydrogen binding energy (HBE). Here, we report oxygen-modified ultrasmall RuCu nanocrystals (RuCu/C-200) as an efficient catalyst for both alkaline HER and HOR. The RuCu/C-200 catalyst exhibits excellent HER activity with an overpotential of 9 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 19.7 mV dec−1. For HOR, it achieves a 4.2-fold higher exchange current density than the unannealed sample. Mechanistic studies reveal that the optimized HBE, hydroxyl binding energy (OHBE), and strongly hydrogen-bonded interfacial water, induced by oxygen modification, are the intrinsic determinants of the improved catalytic activity. This work underscores the potential of combining nanoscale structural design with oxygen modification to develop high-performance Ru-based electrocatalysts for both alkaline HER and HOR.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3939-4
Broadband near-infrared (NIR) phosphors with longer wavelengths are critically needed for deep-tissue biomedical imaging and other emerging applications. However, the detailed mechanism of Mn2+-activated NIR emission remains elusive. Guided by the nephelauxetic effect theory, sulfide phosphors with strong covalent bonding are promising for achieving long-wavelength Mn2+ luminescence. This work reports a series of M(Ga, In)2S4:Mn2+ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphors featuring strong crystal field environments, and for the first time the luminescence behaviors of Mn2+-doped MIn2S4 (M = Sr, Ba). Preferential site occupancy leads to significant differences between MGa2S4:Mn2+ (M = Ca, Sr) and MIn2S4:Mn2+ (M = Sr, Ba) despite the same crystal structure. Severe polyhedral distortion enhances ultrawideband deep-red to NIR luminescence (600–850 nm, FWHM ≈ 123–257 nm), far superior to similar materials. Fabricated pc-LED devices demonstrate excellent vascular imaging and plant illumination capabilities. This study provides new insights into the NIR luminescence of isolated Mn2+.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508006
Landfill leachate, characterized by high ammonia nitrogen, high organic load, complex toxic components, and low nitrogen removal efficiency, poses significant environmental challenges. To achieve efficient nitrogen removal, a continuous-flow two-stage anoxic/oxic (A/O) moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) system coupled with anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) was constructed and operated for long-term treatment of actual landfill leachate. After biofilm attachment and multi-gradient acclimation, influent concentrations were gradually increased from low levels (NH4+-N ~200 mg·L−1, COD ~2500–3000 mg·L−1) to high levels (NH4+-N ~1800 mg·L−1, COD ~8500 mg·L−1). During stable operation, average removal efficiencies of NH4+-N and COD reached 97.7% and 66.8%, respectively, with total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency improving to 93.9%. Along the reactor, the first A/O stage achieved major organic degradation and ammonia oxidation, while the second stage facilitated nitrite accumulation and promoted Anammox for synergistic nitrogen removal. High-throughput sequencing revealed Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum (>50%), with denitrifying genera such as Azoarcus and Thauera significantly enriched. Planctomycetota abundance increased from 0.6% to 3.7%, and Candidatus Kuenenia was detected, confirming successful Anammox colonization and participation in nitrogen removal. This study validates the efficient combined nitrogen removal mechanism of the A/O–MBBR system with Anammox, providing theoretical basis and technical support for engineering treatment of high-ammonia wastewater.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608003
The transition of municipal wastewater treatment from energy-intensive aerobic processes to energy-recovering anaerobic technologies is critical for achieving carbon neutrality. However, anaerobic treatment of low-strength wastewater faces operational challenges, especially after prolonged shutdowns and under low-temperature stress. This study investigated the recovery and performance of a pilot-scale anaerobic filter (AF) packed with volcanic rock media (effective volume 240 L) treating actual municipal wastewater. After a 234-day starvation period, the AF recovered within 63 days by extending hydraulic retention time from 8 to 12 hours, achieving total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) removal amounts of 58.6 mg/L and 21.5 mg/L, respectively. Following 100 days of low-temperature operation (influent temperature dropped to 11.7 °C), TCOD and SCOD removal amounts remained at 54.6 mg/L and 28.6 mg/L, respectively. Although methane production volume decreased, the specific methane yield was not significantly affected (0.276 L CH4/g TCODre during recovery vs. 0.244 L CH4/g TCODre under low temperature). Mechanistic analysis revealed that increased protein secretion in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was crucial for resistance to low-temperature stress, with protein content negatively correlated with temperature. Microbial community analysis showed that functional populations recovered in the order of hydrolytic acidogens, hydrogen-producing acetogens, and methanogens. Methanobacterium dominated after starvation, while Methanosaeta became dominant after low-temperature exposure due to its high affinity for acetate. Carbon footprint accounting indicated that recovering dissolved methane and coupling with nitrate-dependent methane oxidation is the optimal strategy for carbon reduction.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026022402
Graphene oxide–silver nanoparticle (GO-AgNPs) nanocomposites synergistically combine the high specific surface area and biocompatibility of graphene oxide with the potent antibacterial and optical properties of silver nanoparticles. This review systematically examines current synthetic strategies—physical, chemical, and biological—and their influence on nanocomposite morphology, loading efficiency, and stability. The biomedical applications of GO-AgNPs are critically analyzed, focusing on antimicrobial activity, anticancer therapy, drug delivery, and biosensing. Mechanistic insights reveal that antimicrobial action involves membrane disruption, oxidative stress, and damage to biomolecules, while anticancer effects are mediated through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The review also addresses challenges such as AgNP aggregation and stability, which are mitigated by GO support. Future directions emphasize the development of multifunctional nanomedicine platforms, with a need for standardized toxicity assessments and scalable synthesis. This comprehensive overview aims to guide further research and clinical translation of GO-AgNPs.
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/s40843-025-3631-1
Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) offers cost and dynamic-response advantages over proton exchange membrane systems, yet commercial deployment is constrained by the alkaline stability of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and the sluggish kinetics of non-precious metal catalysts. This work reports a series of poly(terphenyl-diphenylmethane piperidinium) (QPDPMTP) membranes synthesized with varied diphenylmethane (DPM) content. The alkyl chain of DPM induces pronounced microphase separation and elevates free volume fraction, yielding an OH− conductivity of 152 mS cm−1 at 80 °C for QPDPMTP-10. After 1032 h immersion in 6 M NaOH at 80 °C, the membrane retains 90.7% of its initial conductivity. An AEMWE cell integrating QPDPMTP-10 with a non-precious NiFeCo LDH/NiS/NF anode achieves 3.11 A cm−2 at 2 V in 1 M KOH at 80 °C and sustains 1 A cm−2 for 1800 h under gradient KOH concentration. These results establish a viable pathway for durable, low-cost AEMWE systems.