SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4395-x
Electrocatalysts in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries accelerate sulfur species redox reactions and restrict polysulfide shuttling, yet ideal electrocatalysts with remarkable bidirectional catalytic effects remain scarce. This work utilizes iron (Fe) to trigger bidirectional catalytic effects in a cobalt (Co) electrocatalyst, generating a metal alloy-based heterostructure of Co-Co7Fe3 dispersed homogeneously on carbon sheets (Co-Co7Fe3/CS). Electrochemical tests and in situ X-ray diffraction disclose significantly enhanced bilateral catalytic activity of Co-Co7Fe3 compared to bare Co, confirmed by self-discharge measurements. Post-cycling investigation validates protection of the Li metal anode from sulfur species corrosion. The Co-Co7Fe3/CS-modified coin cells deliver an exceptional rate capability of 603 mAh g–1 at 5.0 C and steady long-life cycling for 500 cycles at 1.0 and 2.0 C. Under high sulfur loadings and lean electrolyte conditions, an impressive areal capacity with stable cycling is realized. This work provides valuable insights for designing metal alloy-based heterostructures as advanced electrocatalysts in Li–S batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3888-9
Flexible thermoelectrics (f-TEs) are being developed rapidly due to their unique advantages, such as direct conversion between electricity and thermal energy, compatibility with curved heat sources, and ease of integration. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in enhancing the overall performance of f-TE materials and devices, particularly in terms of output power, mechanical flexibility, and durability. Recent research efforts are increasingly focused on translating these advancements into practical applications across diverse fields. For example, f-TE-based multimodal sensors are capable of simultaneously detecting temperature, pressure and strain. In biomedicine, f-TE generators are being explored for wound healing, antibacterial therapy, and neural modulation. Furthermore, f-TE devices show promise in personalized thermal management and hybrid energy harvesting systems. This review moves beyond material preparation and device optimization to focus on the expanding multifunctional applications of f-TEs. We provide a broad perspective by comprehensively exploring the latest progress of f-TEs in intelligent sensing, biomedicine, personalized thermal management, and multifunctional hybrid systems. Key challenges are also discussed, including the development of high-performance flexible devices, robust bio-interfaces, ensuring long-term stability, and achieving intelligent integration with data-driven algorithms and multimodal platforms. Finally, we offer insights into future directions for f-TEs, pointing toward next-generation intelligent and bio-integrated flexible electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3653-2
Designing photosensitizers with efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) and long-lived triplet excited states is critical for photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, conventional molecular design principles often rely on heavy-atom effects or specific donor-acceptor architectures, limiting generality. Here, we report a facile and rational strategy to convert intrinsically non-photosensitizing fluorophores into effective reactive oxygen species (ROS) generators by introducing guanidinium substituents. The modified photosensitizers exhibit prolonged triplet excited state lifetimes and considerable ROS production, in stark contrast to unmodified fluorophores which show intense fluorescence and negligible ROS generation. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry confirm the formation of stable nitrogen-centered radical cations on the guanidinium moiety, stabilized by p-π conjugation. Mechanistic studies indicate that these radicals promote ISC and prolong triplet state lifetimes. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that guanidinium-modified photosensitizers induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and elicit potent anti-tumor immunity. This work provides a universal and facile strategy for designing organic photosensitizers through stable radical cation-containing building blocks, expanding the scope of PDT agents.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509067
Marine litter poses a significant threat to coastal ecosystems globally, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its multi-compartment distribution and driving mechanisms for effective management. This study investigated the occurrence, composition, and sources of beach, sea surface, and seafloor litter in the northeastern Daya Bay, a semi-enclosed bay, during August–October 2024. Sampling included 11 beach transects, 6 surface transects, and 25 seafloor transects. Results showed that the mean density of large and very large beach litter was 4.41×10^5 items·km−2, while medium beach litter reached 5.39×10^6 items·km−2. Surface litter densities were 5.82×10^2 and 9.90×10^3 items·km−2 for large/very large and medium fractions, respectively. Seafloor litter averaged 5.20×10^3 items·km−2. Plastics dominated all compartments, accounting for 74.0% (beach), 96.0% (surface), and 78.8% (seafloor) of total litter. Source apportionment using NOWPAP methodology indicated that beach and surface litter primarily originated from coastal recreational activities, whereas seafloor litter was mainly derived from shipping and fishing. Beach quality assessment revealed that 63.6% of beaches were moderately clean or better (grade II–IV), and 90.9% were moderately safe or better (grade I–III). Hotspots included tourism beaches, tidal gyre areas, coral reef zones, and fishing grounds. The study underscores the need for targeted management, including improved waste collection on tourist beaches, dynamic cleaning protocols, and port reception facilities for fishing waste.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3783-x
The synergistic strategy combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy has recently demonstrated significant promise in cancer treatment. However, the substantial physicochemical disparities between chemotherapeutic agents and small-molecule immune adjuvants pose considerable challenges for co-delivery strategies. In this study, we designed a reactive oxygen species-responsive paclitaxel prodrug, PTX-PBA, which markedly enhanced drug encapsulation stability and dual-drug loading efficiency by various polymeric delivery systems. The resultant nanosystem (NanoPR) exhibited excellent physicochemical properties and ROS-triggered release profiles, effectively inducing immunogenic cell death in tumor cells while promoting dendritic cell maturation and CD8+ T cells activation. In murine models of 4T1 breast cancer and CT26 colon carcinoma, NanoPR achieved significant tumor growth inhibition and elicited durable immune memory responses. Collectively, this work provides an innovative molecular design strategy for the co-delivery of chemotherapeutics and immunomodulators, offering a robust foundation for the clinical translation of chemo-immunotherapy.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511041
Hydroxyl radicals (·OH) generated via dark reactions under fluctuating redox conditions significantly influence pollutant degradation and elemental cycling, yet the key electron supply mechanisms driving their sustained production remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the electron-driven processes underlying sustained dark ·OH generation in mangrove soils under redox fluctuations. Simulated tidal redox cycles were conducted, and electron donating capacity (EDC), three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-throughput sequencing were employed to analyze the dynamics of different Fe(II) species, key organic matter components, and microbial communities. Results demonstrated that, without exogenous electron donors, mangrove soils exhibited stable ·OH generation potential and EDC. During early redox cycles, total EDC of soil suspensions was dominated by reactive Fe(II), while the contribution of reduced organic matter increased over time, with solid-phase components accounting for 94.5%–97.6% of total EDC. Humic acids in soil organic matter facilitated reversible electron transfer via quinone functional groups, maintaining redox activity. Geothermobacter and Desulfobulbus were identified as dominant iron-reducing bacteria, likely key microorganisms for regenerating the "iron-organic matter" electron sources. This study reveals the mechanisms of endogenous electron donor regeneration and sustained dark ·OH generation mediated by iron and organic matter cycling in mangrove soils, providing theoretical support for understanding the long-term environmental effects of ·OH in tidal environments and its impact on biogeochemical cycles.