SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4491-3
Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with multiferroic tunneling barriers offer a pathway to fully electrically controlled multi-state memory, addressing the high energy costs and scalability limits of magnetically controlled counterparts. In this work, we propose a theoretical design achieving four or ten distinct resistance states via electrical control, with a giant tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio of 1.1×10^4% (11000%). This value surpasses all previously reported MTJs, including experimental systems such as CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB (TMR 65%, 4 states) and theoretical systems like Ga2O3/MgO/Ga2O3 (TMR 1120%, 2 states). The multiferroic barrier enables simultaneous control of ferroelectric and magnetic order parameters, allowing reversible switching between multiple resistance levels without external magnetic fields. Our first-principles calculations reveal that the high TMR arises from spin-dependent tunneling through the barrier, modulated by the ferroelectric polarization direction and magnetization configuration. The device operates with low write energy and exhibits non-volatile retention, making it suitable for high-density storage and in-memory computing. This work establishes a new benchmark for electrically controlled MTJs and provides a practical route to overcome the limitations of current spintronic memory technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4183-3
Excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation poses significant risks to human health, necessitating highly sensitive detection systems. Organic photodetectors (OPDs) offer high sensitivity and tunable spectral response, but their UV performance is constrained by conventional glass/indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates and electrodes, and insufficient photoactive layer responsivity. Here, we report high-performance UV-OPDs achieved through UV-transparent window and active-layer optimization. Replacing glass/ITO with a UV-transparent window comprising a quartz substrate and PH1000 electrode enhances UV transmittance. Integrating the high UV-responsive blend PM6:Y6:PC71BM as the active layer, the optimal ternary UV-OPD exhibits external quantum efficiency (EQE) exceeding 53% across 280–400 nm, with a peak EQE of 78.29% and responsivity of 214.68 mA/W at 340 nm, alongside a rapid response time of 2.6/2.1 μs. This performance represents the best combination of responsivity and response time reported to date in the UV region. We demonstrate the potential of these UV-OPDs for outdoor real-time UV monitoring. This work presents a promising strategy for developing high-performance UV-OPDs through transparent substrate and electrode engineering, and active-layer optimization.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605018
To address the inadequacy of existing temporal emission allocation coefficients for oil storage, transportation, and sales sources in regions with distinct seasonal temperature variations, this study focused on a large oil depot in Northwest China. A method for establishing temperature-dependent hourly allocation coefficients for VOCs emissions was proposed, revealing a positive correlation between ambient temperature and emission coefficients. The coefficient peaked at 0.068 when temperatures exceeded 14 °C and dropped to a minimum of 0.007 below 8.5 °C. Annual VOCs emissions totaled 256.13 t, with summer contributing 108.89 t (42.51% of annual total) and winter only 12.54 t (4.90%), making summer emissions approximately 8.68 times higher than winter. Using CALPUFF dispersion modeling, dynamic source strength scenarios produced a maximum hourly concentration of 2242.7 μg/m³, a 55.12% increase over the constant source strength scenario (1445.8 μg/m³). The area of exceedance increased by 0.03 km², and the atmospheric environmental protection distance extended by 450 m, from 0 m to 450 m. These results demonstrate that conventional constant emission assumptions underestimate peak concentrations and protection distances, posing health risks to nearby residents. The study provides a scientific basis for localized emission regulation and improved environmental protection distance calculations.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025030403
Microplastics (MPs) act as vectors for co-migrating antibiotics and heavy metals, forming complex pollution systems with potential joint toxicity. However, the differential adsorption behaviors and underlying mechanisms of MPs toward organic versus inorganic pollutants remain insufficiently understood. This study selected polypropylene (PP) microplastics, a major component of agricultural plastic films, and investigated the adsorption of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and Cr(VI) onto aged PP under varying environmental conditions. Results demonstrated that aging increased the maximum adsorption capacity by 2–3 times for both pollutants. Notably, aged PP exhibited approximately 30 times higher adsorption capacity for SMX than for Cr(VI). Characterization revealed that aging introduced oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., carbonyl) on the MP surface, enhancing adsorption. Mechanistic analysis indicated that hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions dominated SMX adsorption, while Cr(VI) adsorption was primarily governed by electrostatic interactions and pore-filling. The stronger intermolecular forces for SMX compared to reversible pore-filling for Cr(VI) explained the observed differences. Increasing pH induced electrostatic repulsion, reducing adsorption of both pollutants. High concentrations of Na+ and Mg2+ caused charge shielding, potentially enhancing Cr(VI) adsorption but inhibiting SMX adsorption due to competition for active sites. The presence of organic matter (humic acid) had negligible effects on Cr(VI) adsorption but reduced SMX adsorption, likely due to complexation. These findings elucidate distinct molecular-level pathways for organic versus inorganic pollutant adsorption on aged MPs, highlighting the roles of hydrogen bonding and pore-filling in driving differential behaviors.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202505108
Open-pit mining in high-cold regions causes severe ecological degradation, including vegetation loss, soil structure destruction, and frequent freeze-thaw disturbances, complicating ecosystem recovery. This review systematically synthesizes the current status, theories, and key restoration technologies for degraded ecosystems in high-cold mining areas. Comparative analysis with typical high-cold degraded ecosystems worldwide reveals that high-cold mining areas face challenges such as frequent freeze-thaw cycles, hydrological disruption, wind erosion, and difficult vegetation establishment. We propose strengthening aboveground-belowground synergistic restoration: (1) aboveground restoration should focus on screening cold-resistant native plants and optimizing mixed community configurations, combined with plant growth-promoting multi-microbial consortia to facilitate vegetation recovery; (2) belowground restoration should be based on engineering soil profile reconstruction, integrating physical-chemical-biological multi-dimensional remediation techniques to achieve aboveground and belowground community reconstruction and functional recovery; (3) a progressive restoration framework is established, with short-term goals targeting soil stabilization and structure improvement, medium-term goals focusing on constructing multifunctional plant-soil communities, and long-term goals achieving self-sustaining, maintenance-free restored ecosystems. Finally, addressing the unclear mechanisms of aboveground-belowground synergistic interactions and insufficient environmental adaptability of restoration technologies, two prospects are proposed: (1) deepening research on aboveground-belowground synergistic mechanisms to reveal interactions between cold-tolerant microorganisms and plants; (2) advancing the development of characteristic restoration technologies adapted to high-cold environments.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3906-2
Achieving flexible polymer-based organic afterglow materials with color-tunable and stimulus-responsive capabilities is significant in diverse optoelectronic fields, especially in next-generation wearable full-color display applications, yet remains a great challenge. Here, we report polymer-based dual-mode afterglow systems that realize long-lived color-tunable afterglow with full-color gamut of blue, green, orange, red, and even white-light emissions with ultralong lifetimes up to 2.42 s. This unique performance is enabled by a universal strategy of dual-mode afterglow-assisted Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) that utilizes seconds-long dual-mode afterglow materials as energy donors and permits efficient synchronous transfer of singlet and triplet excitons from energy donors to the fluorescent dye acceptors. More impressively, the dual-mode afterglow-assisted FRET efficiency reaches up to 99%, with the lifetime of the energy acceptor reaching 1.55 s. Associated with the abundant hydrogen-bonding interactions within the polymer system, the doped afterglow films exhibit water/thermal stimulus responsiveness and recyclability. Furthermore, these full-color dual-mode afterglow materials are employed for multicolor screen-printing, optical anti-counterfeiting, and high-level information encryption, demonstrating considerable application potential in advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512052
Constructed wetlands (CWs) with conventional substrates often exhibit limited removal of nitrogen and antibiotics from secondary effluent. This study developed an iron-carbon-manganese ore (Fe-C-Mn) composite substrate CW to enhance simultaneous removal of nitrogen and tetracycline (TC). Under influent TC of 2 mg·L−1 and total nitrogen (TN) of 15 mg·L−1, the Fe-C-Mn system achieved average TC removal of 91.3%, significantly higher than the gravel control (27.2%). TN and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) removals reached 71.7% and 83.3%, respectively, versus 7.8% and 1.2% in the control. Substrate analysis revealed increased surface roughness and synergistic generation of active components (Fe(II)/Fe(III) and Mn(II)), driving autotrophic denitrification and TC biodegradation/chemical degradation. Microbial community analysis indicated reduced overall diversity but selective enrichment of potential TC degraders (e.g., Trichosporon, Bacillota) and denitrifiers (e.g., unclassified_f_Rhodocyclaceae). TC degradation pathways included demethylation, hydroxylation, and ring-opening, ultimately yielding small metabolites. These findings provide theoretical and technical support for enhanced removal of antibiotics and nitrogen from secondary effluent using CWs.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512014
Mining activities cause severe soil degradation and microbial diversity loss, impeding ecological restoration. This study evaluated the effects of a novel soil amendment, microporous bio-gravel (MBG), on bacterial and fungal community structure and function in degraded soil from the Baiyinhua open-pit mine, Inner Mongolia. A pot experiment with four MBG-to-soil volume ratios (CK, L=1:3, M=1:2, H=1:1) was conducted, with a simplified plant community and uniform fertilization. After 180 days, soil samples were analyzed via high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics. Results showed that the medium ratio (M) significantly increased fungal Shannon index and evenness, while the high ratio (H) negatively affected bacterial communities. At phylum and genus levels, MBG promoted enrichment of Cyanobacteria and specific functional groups (e.g., nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Bacillus). Co-occurrence network analysis revealed peak complexity, modularity, and average degree in bacterial and fungal networks under the M treatment. Functional prediction indicated significant enrichment of pathways related to lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, nitrotoluene degradation, and plant-pathogen interactions, alongside increased abundance of saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal fungi. Mantel and VPA analyses showed that MBG indirectly regulated microbial community structure by improving soil physicochemical properties and plant traits, with stronger effects on fungi than bacteria. In conclusion, MBG optimizes the soil microhabitat and plant-soil-microbe interactions, modulating microbial diversity, network complexity, and functional potential. The medium ratio (1:2) was most effective, demonstrating potential for ecological restoration of degraded mine soils.