SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4391-5
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) enable precise tuning of the ITO/active layer interfacial dipole, yet their impact on the crystallization kinetics of the overlying active layer remains poorly understood, limiting their potential in high-efficiency organic solar cells. This study introduces THPC, a self-assembling material with an extended carbazole core and heteroatom substitution, as a hole transport layer (HTL). Unlike the hydrophilic PEDOT:PSS, THPC exhibits low surface energy, providing a favorable template that extends the film formation kinetics of the PM6:L8-BO-X blend by nearly 1.4 times, mitigating the explosive nucleation prevalent in PM6-based active layers. This promotes a highly ordered fibrous morphology and enhances vertical phase separation. The deep work function of THPC (5.32 eV) increases the built-in potential, reduces interfacial trap density, and facilitates charge extraction. Consequently, non-radiative recombination loss decreases from 0.243 eV to 0.227 eV, and the open-circuit voltage rises from 0.866 V to 0.883 V, yielding a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.19%, outperforming the PEDOT:PSS control (18.67%). This finding is confirmed across multiple Y-series acceptors, all approaching 20% PCE. Notably, the D18:L8-BO system achieves a PCE of 20.55%, demonstrating broad applicability.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4114-5
The precise and controllable synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures, coupled with the manipulation of their atomic and electronic configurations, is of paramount significance. However, due to the synthetic challenges associated with graphyne (GY) materials, their integration into 1D/2D heterostructures remains considerably difficult. Herein, we demonstrate a post-synthetic intercalation strategy for tellurium onto Ag(111), enabling the controllable fabrication of 1D-GY-nanowire/2D-AgTe-monolayers heterostructures. Scanning-probe microscopies are employed to characterize morphological evolution during the intercalation process. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy results confirm that AgTe monolayer intercalation induces interfacial decoupling of the graphyne nanowires. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that work function-driven Fermi level modulation via interfacial charge engineering assigns the 1D-GY-nanowire/2D-AgTe-monolayers heterostructures as type-I heterostructures. Our work not only significantly advances the fundamental understanding of interfacial interactions in 1D/2D heterostructures but also presents a scalable strategy for designing heterostructures with tailored electronic functionalities, thereby opening new avenues for applications in advanced nanoelectronics and optoelectronic devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3598-1
Embedding a dielectric layer between as-synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and metal surfaces represents a powerful strategy to achieve electronic decoupling, thereby enabling the extraction of these ribbons' intrinsic electrical properties. Although several reports have documented dielectric intercalation between GNRs and metal substrates, studies on Ag(111) substrates are limited. Here, we demonstrate a semiconducting AgTe monolayer intercalation method to achieve electronic decoupling between as-synthesized GNRs and an Ag(111) substrate. Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, we directly observed the AgTe intercalation process at the GNR/Ag(111) interface. By combining scanning tunneling spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, we elucidate the critical role of AgTe monolayer intercalation in reducing the interaction between as-synthesized GNRs and the Ag(111) substrate and observe the near-intrinsic electrical properties of the GNRs. Our findings offer a practical and effective strategy for intercalating AgTe monolayers between carbon-based nanomaterials and Ag(111) substrates, facilitating the unambiguous characterization of the near-intrinsic electronic properties of these materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3674-2
Enhancing catalytic activity is a core objective in catalyst design, with active site accessibility being a critical determinant. Polyoxometalate-based metal-organic complexes (POMOCs), combining advantages of POMs and MOCs, offer potential for constructing catalysts with highly accessible active sites. In this study, a series of POMOCs were synthesized using different POM templates: [CoII1.5(L)1.5(PMo12O40)(H2O)4]·3H2O (Co-PMo12), [CoII1.5(L)1.5(PW12O40)(H2O)4]·3H2O (Co-PW12), [CoII2(L)2(SiW12O40)(H2O)4]·11H2O (Co-SiW12), and H[CoII2.5(L)3(P2W18O62)(H2O)8]·10H2O (Co-P2W18). These were characterized by FT-IR, PXRD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Catalytic activity differences for olefin epoxidation were attributed to distinct accessibility of Co(II) sites upon thermal activation. Notably, Co-P2W18 achieved 99% yield of 1,2-epoxycyclooctane within 3 hours at room temperature using O2 as oxidant, owing to highly accessible unsaturated Co(II) sites. This performance is superior to most reported catalysts. The reaction mechanism was investigated using density functional theory. The catalyst exhibited excellent stability over five cycles, with FT-IR, PXRD, and XPS confirming structural and oxidation state integrity. This work highlights the potential of POMOCs in designing catalysts with highly accessible active sites for enhanced catalytic activity.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025111002
Epidemiological studies have established a significant association between exposure to environmental pollutants (EP) and the risk of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study integrates network toxicology and multi-omics analysis to elucidate the EP-LUAD molecular regulatory network and identify key regulatory genes, thereby revealing novel mechanisms of environmental carcinogenesis. Transcriptomic data from GEO and TCGA databases yielded 4,971 and 4,488 disease-related targets, respectively. Integration of toxicology databases (TargetNet, Swiss Target Prediction, CTD, SEA) identified 24,860 potential targets for eight common pollutants (SO2, NO, CO, NO2, O3, benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Intersection of these datasets produced 1,536 EP-LUAD common target genes. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified 247 core targets. Machine learning selected five key genes: AGER, CAV1, CD44, CEP55, and GNB3, which demonstrated robust diagnostic and prognostic efficacy. Their expression correlated with immune cell infiltration, including CD4+ memory T cells and macrophages. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed epithelial cell-specific expression patterns. Molecular docking confirmed stable pollutant-target binding, with PAH showing highest affinity for CD44 (binding energy −9.32 kcal·mol−1) and GNB3 (−8.32 kcal·mol−1). These findings establish AGER, CAV1, CD44, CEP55, and GNB3 as core molecular mediators of pollution-related LUAD. The high-affinity binding of PAH to CD44 and GNB3 underscores its carcinogenic potential. This study constructs a multi-level regulatory network for EP-LUAD, revealing underlying molecular mechanisms and providing novel potential targets and theoretical basis for early warning and intervention.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010302
Cadmium (Cd) contamination of agricultural soils poses significant economic and health risks. While extensive research has focused on Cd accumulation in staple crops like rice, data on oilseed crops remain scarce, hindering safety assessments of edible oils and oilseed meals. This study investigated Cd accumulation and translocation in rapeseed (Brassica napus) grown in You County, Hunan Province, a region severely contaminated with Cd. Rhizosphere soil and plant tissues (roots, stems, seeds) were collected and analyzed for Cd concentrations. Results showed that approximately 71% of rhizosphere soil samples exceeded the agricultural soil pollution risk screening value for Cd, indicating high ecological risk. Cd concentrations in roots and stems were (0.49 ± 0.39) mg·kg⁻¹ and (0.54 ± 0.31) mg·kg⁻¹, respectively, comparable to or higher than soil Cd levels (0.51 ± 0.31) mg·kg⁻¹, with elevated bioaccumulation and translocation factors. This suggests that improper disposal of rapeseed roots and stems, such as returning them to fields or burning, could lead to secondary Cd pollution. In contrast, Cd bioaccumulation and translocation factors in seeds were less than 1, and Cd concentrations in seeds, oil, and oilseed meals were relatively low. Comparative analysis with sesame, camellia oleifera, and peanut indicated that rapeseed-derived oil and meal contain lower Cd levels, positioning rapeseed as a promising low-Cd-accumulating edible oil crop for cultivation in Cd-contaminated areas.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3782-0
Oral mucositis (OM) is a debilitating complication of cancer therapy, characterized by severe pain, mucosal barrier breakdown, and infection risk. Current hydrogel-based topical systems suffer from poor transmucosal permeation and lack of inflammatory microenvironment-triggered drug release. Here, we report a supramolecular strategy for designing guanosine-fibril hydrogels and derived microneedle patches. Tavaborole (Ta), crisaborole (Cr), and strontium (Sr2+) ions serve dual roles as structural building blocks and biofunctional agents. Unlike conventional G4·K+ fibrils, the unique G4·Sr2+-Ta/Cr fibrils incorporate Ta/Cr via boronic ester bonds on guanosine and Sr2+ through G-quartet cation recognition. This design mechanically reinforces the hydrogel through additional hydrophobic interactions and ion-pair recognition, while synergistically providing antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory effects (Ta/Cr), pro-angiogenic activity (Sr2+), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging (guanosine). The optimized gelation process enables fabrication of microneedle patches with pseudomembrane-penetrating capability and ROS-triggered drug release via boronic ester hydrolysis. In vivo mouse experiments confirm efficacy in controlling OM-associated inflammation, modulating oral microbiota homeostasis, and promoting angiogenesis at ulcer sites. This work demonstrates multifunctional integration via hierarchical structural design, extending guanosine supramolecular assemblies into bioactive platforms for OM treatment.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60644-5
Lignin, as the sole renewable source of aromatic compounds, holds significant potential for producing green aviation fuel-range arenes via hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). In this study, a series of nitrogen-doped carbon-supported FeMoS/NC bimetallic catalysts were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The HDO performance was evaluated using 4-ethylguaiacol as a model compound at 340 °C under 3 MPa H2. The unmodified MoS2/NC catalyst achieved a deoxygenation degree of 83.4%, whereas the Fe-modified catalyst with an optimal Fe/Mo molar ratio of 0.3 (Fe0.3MoS/NC) attained complete deoxygenation (100%) with an arenes selectivity of 78.6%. Beyond this optimal ratio, the deoxygenation degree inversely correlated with the Fe/Mo molar ratio. Characterization via XRD, TEM, BET, and XPS revealed that Fe incorporation enhanced the uniform dispersion of MoS2 on the NC support, increased surface acidity, and raised the concentration of sulfur vacancies, thereby promoting adsorption of oxygen-containing compounds. The HDO pathway over Fe0.3MoS/NC primarily proceeded via direct deoxygenation. When applied to real lignin under identical conditions (340 °C, 3 MPa H2, 12 h), the catalyst yielded 65.5% green hydrocarbons, with the C8–C16 fraction accounting for 54.4% of total hydrocarbons and an aromatic selectivity of 63.4% within this fraction. These results demonstrate that Fe0.3MoS/NC is a viable catalyst for selective conversion of lignin into green arenes suitable for sustainable aviation fuel applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3864-4
Organic room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials, particularly those emitting in the near-infrared (NIR) region, hold great promise for bioimaging due to their deep-tissue penetration and minimal autofluorescence interference. However, achieving efficient NIR RTP with long lifetimes remains challenging due to inefficient triplet exciton utilization. Herein, we propose a dark triplet state activation strategy to achieve efficient NIR RTP by leveraging host–guest energy transfer. Using benzophenone derivatives (BP, OBP, MBP, PBP) as rigid host matrices with high intersystem crossing (ISC) efficiency and an NIR fluorophore (MPTCF) as the guest, we achieve efficient Dexter-type triplet-triplet energy transfer (TTET) that converts non-emissive host triplets into guest-centered NIR phosphorescence. Systematic optimization of the host–guest system has shown that PBP/MPTCF exhibits exceptional performance, including long phosphorescence centered at 705 nm, an ultralong phosphorescence lifetime (210.3 ms), and high ISC efficiency (44.4%). When fabricated into nanoparticles (NPs), PBP/MPTCF exhibits superior performance, featuring prolonged phosphorescence signals (>120 s), deep tissue penetration capability (>2 mm), and excellent biocompatibility (cell viability >95% at 300 μM). In addition, this system enables high-contrast subcutaneous imaging with excellent dispersibility and stable in vivo imaging capability. More importantly, PBP/MPTCF NPs demonstrate precise lymph node mapping through time-gated phosphorescence imaging and efficient tumor visualization within 4 h post-injection with a high tumor-to-liver ratio of 2.8. The successful activation of dark triplet states through this host–guest approach provides a general design principle for developing high-performance NIR RTP materials, while the demonstrated biomedical applications highlight their significant potential for advanced bioimaging and precision diagnostics.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025041701
Landfill leachate leakage poses a significant threat to groundwater quality, particularly from informal landfills lacking proper containment. This study investigates the redox zoning characteristics of groundwater contaminated by leachate from the TS informal landfill in Southwest China. Based on redox-sensitive indicators and microbial community structure, the spatial evolution of redox conditions along the groundwater flow path was delineated. Results show that from the proximal to distal zones of the contaminant plume, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and dissolved oxygen (DO) increase significantly, while concentrations of Fe2+, NH4+, TOC, and HCO3− decrease markedly. The percentage of NO3− increases, indicating a transition from reducing to oxidizing conditions. Microbial communities shift correspondingly from anaerobic to aerobic populations. The infiltration of leachate introduces substantial reducing substances, creating a reducing environment that gradually oxidizes as dissolved organic matter is depleted. The plume is sequentially divided into sulfate reduction, iron reduction, manganese reduction, nitrate reduction, and oxidation zones. This redox zoning significantly attenuates pollutants, reducing the impact of leachate on groundwater. The findings provide a scientific basis for groundwater pollution prevention and control.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608022
Since the first domestic sludge incineration project was commissioned at Shanghai's Shidongkou Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2004, sludge mono-incineration has been progressively adopted in economically developed Chinese cities. However, decentralized planning of wastewater treatment facilities and variable sludge characteristics complicate the centralized design and operation of incineration plants. This study, based on the planning and engineering design of a sludge incineration plant in Qingdao, analyzes sludge from major municipal wastewater treatment plants, which differ significantly in moisture and organic content due to varying influent characteristics and treatment processes. An energy balance model was constructed using data on sludge moisture and organic content, leading to a sludge allocation scheme and a simplified cost calculation method for heterogeneous sludge. This supports differentiated pricing and rational distribution in drying and incineration projects. Additionally, comparing conventional dewatering (to 76% moisture) and deep dewatering (to 65% moisture) from a "wastewater treatment plant + incineration" perspective, the study evaluates full-process costs and carbon emissions. Results show that deep dewatering increases dewatering costs and emissions but reduces transport and incineration costs and emissions, yielding lower total costs and emissions. The findings provide a basis for optimizing municipal sludge treatment planning and process selection.