SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4340-0
Thin films with nonreciprocal circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) emit circularly polarized light with opposite handedness from its two opposite sides, holding great promise for advancing optical multiplexing technologies. Herein, we introduce component orientation mismatch into chiral composite films via stretching, which leads to macroscopic optical anisotropy and accordingly drives the films to show nonreciprocal CPL activity. Stretching triggers linear dichroism-linear birefringence (LD-LB) coupling to realize nonreciprocal circular dichroism (CD) in elastomer films consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and chiral polyacetylene (R/S-PSA). Moreover, fluorescence anisotropy-linear birefringence (f-LB) coupling occurs after introducing fluorescent groups into the films to achieve multi-color nonreciprocal CPL. The unstretched films exhibit reciprocal CPL with a luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) of 10⁻¹, with handedness determined by PSA’s intrinsic helical chirality. In the stretched films, the oriented fluorescent groups undergo f-LB coupling with matrix crystallization, resulting in nonreciprocal CPL (|glum|=10⁻²). Based on this distinctive chiroptical feature, we have developed chiral logic gates, multidimensional optical encryption systems, and enantioselective photopolymerization platforms to demonstrate the potential uses of the as-obtained CPL films. This work provides both fundamental insights into and a versatile material platform for developing smart nonreciprocal photonic systems with advanced chiroptical functionality.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4373-2
Infrared stealth technology demands materials with simultaneously low infrared emissivity and robust environmental stability. Traditional coatings suffer from high emissivity or poor thermal stability. Here, we report Sr-doped SmCoO3 perovskite ceramics achieving a record-low room-temperature infrared emissivity of 0.12 in the 8–14 μm atmospheric window. Systematic doping (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) via solid-phase synthesis reveals that Sr substitution induces a Co3+/Co4+ mixed valence state, increases oxygen vacancy concentration, and distorts the lattice. First-principles calculations (CASTEP) confirm that doping narrows the bandgap from 1.8 eV to 0.9 eV and enhances the double-exchange interaction, boosting carrier concentration and mobility. The optimized composition (x = 0.3) exhibits an electrical conductivity of 1.2×10^3 S/cm and a carrier density of 3.5×10^21 cm^-3, leading to strong infrared reflection. The material maintains emissivity below 0.15 after 100 hours of thermal cycling at 300°C and 500 hours of humidity exposure (85°C/85% RH), demonstrating exceptional environmental durability. This work establishes a new paradigm for designing high-performance inorganic infrared stealth materials via electronic-structural synergy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4236-8
Electrochemical nitrate reduction (NO3RR) to ammonia offers a sustainable route for nitrogen recovery from wastewater, yet its efficiency is constrained by complex multi-step proton-electron transfers and competitive hydrogen evolution. Here, we report a series of binary cobalt-copper phosphates with precisely tuned Co/Cu ratios, revealing a volcano-type relationship between composition and catalytic activity. The optimized Co0.5Cu1.5(OH)PO4 catalyst, supported on a Ni3Co1OxHy/Ni foam substrate, achieves a Faradaic efficiency of 99.0% for ammonia at a high current density of 200 mA cm−2 in 1 M nitrate electrolyte, with a production rate of 9.18 mg h−1 cm−2 and sustained stability over 200 hours. In-situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations elucidate a tandem mechanism: Co sites promote water dissociation to generate active hydrogen (H*), while adjacent Cu sites facilitate nitrate adsorption and subsequent hydrogenation steps. This synergistic division of labor lowers the energy barrier for the rate-determining step, effectively suppressing HER and enhancing intrinsic kinetics. The work demonstrates that precise atomic-ratio engineering in dual-site transition metal phosphates provides a viable strategy to overcome activity-selectivity trade-offs in electrocatalytic nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3691-9
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has significantly advanced NIR light sources, yet creating NIR emitters with optimal luminescence properties, high thermal stability, and adjustable emission peaks remains a critical challenge for future smart NIR devices. Here, we introduce a chemical unit cosubstitution strategy by incorporating Ca2+ and Sn4+ ions into the garnet structure. Through this approach, Y3−yCayGa4.95−ySnyO12:0.05Cr3+ (y = 0–1) phosphors were developed by modulating the A&C ligands, resulting in emission centers ranging from 708 to 768 nm. The modified local environment of Cr3+ accounts for the increased light intensity (2.71 times) and broadening observed. Furthermore, this study investigated the impact of varying Cr3+ concentrations (Y2.6Ca0.4Ga4.6−xSn0.4O12:xCr3+) on the production of high-performance phosphors. Compared with Y3Ga4.93O12:0.07Cr3+, the optimized phosphor exhibited exceptional external quantum efficiency (EQE = 34.96%). The luminescence enhancement is attributed to an increase in radiative transitions caused by octahedral Jahn-Teller distortion, whereas the notable thermal stability (91.3% at 423 K) is attributed to the presence of weak electron-phonon coupling (EPC) and oxygen vacancy (OV) defects. Finally, by combining it with a 450 nm blue LED chip, we constructed a near-infrared phosphor-converted LED (NIR pc-LED) device with superior electroluminescence efficiency (18.8% @ 100 mA), increasing the ultralow quenching rate (< 5% intensity loss after 30 days of operation) and demonstrating remarkable performance in plant lighting applications.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61075-X
The proliferation of electronic devices has intensified electromagnetic radiation pollution, necessitating advanced microwave absorption materials. This study presents the electrospinning fabrication of FeNiCo/carbon nanofiber (FeNiCo/CNF) composites with exceptional microwave absorption properties. The FeNiCo/CNFs achieved a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −55.5 dB at 14.24 GHz with an ultrathin matching thickness of only 1.6 mm. Microstructural analysis and electromagnetic parameter testing revealed that the superior absorption stems from the synergistic interaction between the carbon nanofiber network and FeNiCo alloy nanoparticles, which promotes multiple reflections and efficient energy dissipation. The precise control of coercivity and permeability via systematic modulation of magnetic metal composition enabled enhanced impedance matching and optimized magnetic-dielectric synergy. Furthermore, radar cross-section (RCS) simulations confirmed the material's capability to significantly reduce RCS values across a wide angular range, validating its potential for stealth technology applications. This work introduces a cost-effective and sustainable approach for developing ultralight, high-performance microwave absorbers, addressing the limitations of conventional materials such as high density and poor stability.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(25)61033-X
Carbon-based materials have gained significant attention in anticancer treatment due to their exceptional biocompatibility, yet critical challenges persist in establishing definitive correlations between their porous structures and functional performance. We report the use of a silica template to guide pore formation in the design of mesoporous carbon spheres (mC) with tailored pore structures for improved combined photothermal-chemotherapy. The mesopore size of mC was adjusted by kinetic control of resin polymerization and silica hydrolysis. Structural characterization showed that 4.4 nm mesopores enabled an exceptional gemcitabine loading of 228 mg g−1 and a sustained pH/thermal dual-responsive release with >70% drug release under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Finite element analysis demonstrated pore size-dependent heat transfer dynamics, with the improved mC achieving a superior photothermal conversion efficiency of 62% by a combination of N-doping and defect engineering. In vitro evaluations confirmed outstanding biocompatibility with >95% cell viability at 200 μg mL−1 and potent tumor suppression in pancreatic and biliary cancer models with an ~5% cell viability at 25 μg mL−1 where combined therapy showed a 3.7-fold increased cytotoxicity over monotherapy. The improved structure of mC facilitated cascade therapeutic effects with enhanced tumor permeability derived from NIR-triggered hyperthermia and prolonged therapeutic exposure due to pH-responsive drug release. This pore engineering strategy establishes a structure-function process for next-generation theranostic platforms, addressing the critical limitations of conventional pancreatic and biliary cancer therapies through spatiotemporal control of multimodal treatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3575-4
Halide perovskite memristors, known for their ion mobility, have emerged as strong candidates for computational units in next-generation memory and neuromorphic computing systems. Nevertheless, most memristors are limited to operating in a single mode, either resistive switching or threshold switching. In this work, we overcome this limitation by developing dual-mode α-formamidinium lead triiodide (α-FAPbI3) perovskite memristors with switchable volatile/nonvolatile states, enabled by engineered SnO2 electron transport layers (ETLs). Through molecular interface optimization using 3-(N,N′-dimethylmyristylammonio) propanesulfonate (Z14) and 4,4′-(1,10-phenanthroline-3,8-diyl)bis(N,N′-bis(4-methoxyphen-yl)aniline) (PNL), we achieved exceptional device stability. Volatile devices exhibited >500 switching cycles, while nonvolatile devices surpassed 1000 cycles, both maintaining a high on/off ratio (~10^3). Beyond memory applications, these devices successfully emulated biological functionalities. The volatile mode replicated four key nociceptor characteristics (threshold, relaxation, sensitization, and no adaptation), while the nonvolatile mode demonstrated advanced synaptic plasticity, including paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). Capitalizing on this dual-mode synergy, we constructed a spiking neural network (SNN) for handwritten digit recognition, achieving a 93% accuracy rate—a significant milestone for perovskite-based neuromorphic systems. This study not only provides a material-level strategy for multifunctional memristor design but also bridges the gap between biological sensing and artificial intelligence, paving the way for adaptive neuromorphic hardware.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3610-7
Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers an attractive route to produce value-added multicarbon (C2+) products, yet suffers from competing hydrogen evolution and monocarbon production. Here, we propose a dual-confinement effect on CO2 reactant and *CO intermediate, induced by tuning the pore configuration of reconstructed covalent organic frameworks (RC-COFs). The highly crystalline microporous RC-COF-1, when coated on a Cu electrode, enhances local CO2 concentration and restricts CO diffusion, thereby promoting C-C coupling. In acidic electrolyte, the RC-COF-1@Cu electrode achieves a maximum C2+ Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 67.0% at 500 mA cm−2, while maintaining a total carbon product FE above 90% across a broad current density range (100–500 mA cm−2). Experimental and theoretical analyses confirm that the ordered micropores of RC-COF-1 modulate reactant adsorption and intermediate diffusion, leading to improved C2+ selectivity. This work underscores the critical role of COF pore architecture in microenvironment engineering for heterogeneous catalysis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3733-2
Irreversible sodium loss, primarily caused by solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation during initial cycling, significantly degrades the capacity of sodium-ion batteries by depleting active sodium. While pre-sodiation mitigates initial sodium loss, it fails to address continuous loss throughout the battery lifecycle. To overcome this limitation, we propose a sustained sodium compensation strategy utilizing activation-releasing systems. Key to this approach are high-capacity sodium compensators, Na2C2O4 and Na2C4O4, supported on a B and N co-doped Mo2C-W2C (MoW-C) heterostructure catalyst. This configuration enables efficient sodium release at charging voltages of 3.53 and 3.78 V, respectively. By integrating the sodium supplement agent onto the separator, and precisely controlling voltage and charge, multiple sodium replenishment is achieved over the entire battery lifecycle. This strategy reduces initial active sodium loss by 36.53%. Furthermore, a single activation during subsequent usage provides an additional 0.115 mAh cm−2 of active sodium. As a result, the cell exhibits exceptional cycling stability, with a capacity loss of only 0.059% per cycle over 350 cycles at 0.5 C.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3584-3
Sutures, as necessary medical devices for postoperative treatment, are no longer merely supportive but are required to have advanced functions to promote repair. Here, we report an absorbable self-powered electrical stimulation suture (SES-suture). The suture is composed entirely of absorbable materials (magnesium, polylactic acid, and polycaprolactone) and can be used in vivo for incision closure and repair. The suture has the capacity to generate spontaneous electrical stimulation in response to body movement, allowing for accelerated tissue reconstruction. An in vivo muscle incision repair model in rabbits demonstrated that the wound healing rate under treatment with this suture was 1.6 times faster than that of commercial sutures, proving its postoperative therapeutic capability. Immunofluorescence and quantitative analyses showed that SES-sutures significantly increased α-SMA and CD31 expression, with levels approximately 2.8 and 3.2 times higher than the blank group, respectively, indicating enhanced angiogenesis and muscle regeneration. The SES-suture exhibited excellent mechanical properties, sustained electrical output, structural and functional stability after implantation, and good biocompatibility. This large animal approach offers crucial translational evidence for potential human applications, addressing the limitations of rodent models due to differences in biomechanics and regeneration rates. While the biosafety profile requires further long-term evaluation, the findings strongly suggest that SES-sutures represent a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancing tissue regeneration and functional recovery.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3669-1
Halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have advanced rapidly due to their high photoluminescence quantum yield, tunable bandgap, and color purity. However, conventional perovskites exhibit small exciton binding energies, which weaken radiative recombination and limit external quantum efficiency (EQE). Strong spatial confinement strategies, such as thin films, small grains, or quantum-confined structures, have boosted EQE beyond 20% but introduce Auger recombination and ion migration, causing efficiency roll-off and instability. This commentary highlights a novel approach by Xiao et al. (Nature, 2025) that employs weakly space-confined all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskites, synthesized using sacrificial additives hypophosphorous acid (HPA) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). This method yields highly oriented monocrystalline domains exceeding hundreds of nanometers with no observable grain boundaries, contrasting with control films (submicrometre grains with abundant boundaries) and strongly confined systems (~20 nm crystallites with organic ligands). The reduced grain boundaries lower defect density and block ion migration, while controlled crystallization suppresses vacancies and lattice distortions, enhancing carrier mobility and raising the ion migration energy barrier. The strategy achieves record-breaking performance and stability, addressing EQE roll-off and operational lifetime limitations. This approach offers a versatile framework for other all-inorganic perovskite systems, advancing PeLEDs toward practical high-brightness displays and lighting.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3785-5
The effective separation and utilization of photo-generated carriers are critical for advancing photocatalysis, particularly in coupled reactions of H2 production and value-added chemical synthesis. Here, a sandwich-structured MnO2@ZnIn2S4@Ti3C2 hollow sphere was designed, with MnO2 and Ti3C2 loaded on the inner and outer surfaces of ZnIn2S4, respectively. MnO2 acts as an oxidation cocatalyst collecting photo-generated holes, while Ti3C2 serves as a reduction cocatalyst for electrons, promoting spatial separation of carriers and enabling spatially separated redox reactions. The hollow structure enhances light harvesting. The optimal catalyst achieves photocatalytic H2 production rate of 6.29 mmol g−1 h−1 and benzaldehyde production rate of 5.26 mmol g−1 h−1 from benzyl alcohol oxidation, significantly outperforming ZnIn2S4, MnO2@ZnIn2S4, and ZnIn2S4@Ti3C2. In situ irradiated X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms effective carrier separation. In situ electron paramagnetic resonance and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy reveal reaction intermediates. This work provides a strategy for designing efficient photocatalysts for coupled H2 production and selective oxidation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3807-8
Electrocatalytic co-reduction of CO2 and nitrate offers a sustainable route for urea synthesis, valorizing nitrogenous waste and CO2. However, achieving high-performance urea electrosynthesis under ambient conditions remains challenging due to the need for simultaneous activation of CO2 and efficient H2O dissociation to supply active *H for *NOx hydrogenation, ultimately forming key C- and N-containing intermediates for C–N coupling. Here, we report a bifunctional Pd-single-atom-modified Cu (Pd1Cu) nanorod catalyst that synergistically promotes adsorption and stepwise activation of CO2 and H2O, steering the reaction pathway toward selective urea synthesis. Integrating experimental evidence, in situ spectroscopy, and computational analyses, we disclose that atomically dispersed Pd sites kinetically favor co-generation of *CO and *NH2 via H2O dissociation-driven proton transfer, forming an optimal intermediate balance. The dual metal active sites enhance C–N coupling via combined electronic and geometric effects, substantially lowering the reaction energy barrier and improving selectivity. This work provides a rational design strategy for advanced multifunctional catalysts for urea electrosynthesis, contributing to carbon neutrality and waste nitrogen valorization.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3815-0
The development of bifunctional electrocatalysts capable of integrating biomass-derived platform molecule oxidation with organic reduction offers a promising strategy for simultaneously enhancing energy efficiency and generating high-value chemicals. However, designing catalysts that exhibit both high activity and stability in integrated systems remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a self-supported electrode composed of nitrogen-doped carbonized wood (NCW) supported NiCo nanosheets (NiCo 0.3/NCW) that enables the electrocatalytic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and the nitrobenzene reduction to yield aniline in an integrated electrochemical cell. The NiCo 0.3/NCW electrode achieves the production of FDCA and aniline at a low cell voltage of 1.7 V, with ~99% anodic and ~92% cathodic Faradaic efficiencies, respectively. Experimental characterizations disclose that the hierarchical porous NCW architecture promotes the dispersion of active sites, while nitrogen doping strengthens metal–support interactions. In-situ spectroscopic experiments combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that cobalt incorporation tunes the electronic structure of nickel, thus optimizing substrate and intermediate adsorption, and lowering energy barriers. These effects ultimately enhance the performance of the natural wood-derived catalyst in integrated biomass valorization and selective organic electrosynthesis.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506081
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are promising for degrading organic pollutants in water treatment. Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) has gained attention due to its high oxidation efficiency, strong interference resistance, and low secondary pollution. In this study, a series of trimetallic-carbon composite ozone catalysts were prepared via an organic precursor calcination method using γ-Al2O3 as support. This method enhanced catalytic activity and mechanical strength while overcoming the limitations of carbon materials (low mechanical strength) and metal-based materials (poor mass transfer). The optimized catalyst, CA-FeCoCu, comprising Fe, Co, Cu, carbon, and alumina, exhibited excellent performance in phenol degradation and real industrial wastewater treatment. Characterization revealed that the synergistic effect of trimetals and the introduction of multiple carbon types increased specific surface area and hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation. In a pilot-scale fixed-bed reactor, the CA-FeCoCu/O3 system reduced COD from 120 mg·L−1 to below 40 mg·L−1, with an O3 consumption ratio (O/C) of less than 1, effectively lowering operational costs. This work provides a new strategy for developing efficient and stable heterogeneous O3 catalysts and offers a reference for the practical application of HCO in industrial wastewater treatment.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507054
In many Chinese wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), residual chlorine is still manually monitored at low frequencies, leading to imprecise disinfectant dosing. This study systematically compared four machine learning models—backpropagation (BP) neural network, long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network, random forest (RF), and support vector regression (SVR)—for predicting chlorine consumption (i.e., the difference between chlorine dose and residual chlorine) during non-monitoring periods under different residual chlorine monitoring frequencies (every 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h). Using data from Plant A (equipped with online residual chlorine monitoring) and Plants B and C (manual monitoring every 6 h and 8 h, respectively), input variables included online water quality indicators (temperature, flow, NH3-N, CODCr, TP, TN) and chlorine dose. Results showed that at 1-h intervals, LSTM achieved the highest prediction accuracy; at 2–4-h intervals, RF performed best; at 6-h or lower frequencies, BP was superior; SVR performed worst across all frequencies. Validation on Plants B and C confirmed BP's optimal performance under low-frequency conditions, and particle swarm optimization (PSO) significantly improved its accuracy. These findings provide a basis for selecting appropriate machine learning models for chlorine consumption prediction under varying monitoring frequencies, particularly low-frequency manual monitoring, thereby supporting precise disinfectant dosing control.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025121602
This study characterized the body burden of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a physical examination population in Shenzhen and evaluated its impact on thyroid function. Serum samples from 368 residents were analyzed for eight PBDE congeners using atmospheric pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (APGC-MS/MS). The median concentration of ∑8PBDEs was 10.2 ng·g⁻¹ lipid weight (lw), ranging from 0.13 to 2089.4 ng·g⁻¹ lw, with BDE-209 predominating (59.7% of total). Multiple linear regression revealed that a 1.7-fold increase in serum BDE-153 was associated with a 0.4% increase in free triiodothyronine (FT3) (P<0.05), while a 1.7-fold increase in BDE-183 was associated with a 0.9% decrease in total triiodothyronine (T3) and a 0.7% decrease in FT3 (P<0.05). Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) indicated a negative correlation between mixed PBDE exposure and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at high exposure levels. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression showed that mixed exposure was associated with decreased T3 levels and T3/FT3 ratio, with BDE-153 and BDE-183 as the primary contributors. These findings suggest that PBDE exposure may adversely affect thyroid function and disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis, with BDE-183 and BDE-153 playing key roles. This study provides a scientific basis for PBDE health risk assessment and thyroid protection.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3935-1
Silk fibroin (SF)-based hydrogels are promising for biological interfaces, yet achieving multifunctionality—mechanical robustness, adhesion, conductivity, and stability—often requires chemical modification that compromises biocompatibility. Here, we report a protonation-mediated SF/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel adhesive that retains natural silk properties while gaining tailored functionalities. The physically crosslinked network is formed solely via molecular interactions, with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) as a protonation agent to modulate hydrogen bonding, enabling precise control over adhesion, mechanical strength, and electronic conductivity. Glycerol (Gly) is incorporated as a moisturizing agent to enhance long-term stability for skin applications. The resulting hydrogel exhibits excellent performance in monitoring electrophysiological signals, including electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), and electroencephalogram (EEG), demonstrating its potential as a platform for advanced biological interfaces. This work addresses the critical challenge of developing SF-based hydrogels that combine natural advantages with multifunctionality, offering a promising route for wearable health monitors and human-machine interfaces.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3640-3
Cancer immunotherapy, particularly small-molecule immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), offers low cost and high tumor diffusion but suffers from limited efficacy and systemic toxicity. Here, we engineered non-pathogenic Escherichia coli MG1655 for tumor-targeted and synergistic photothermal immunotherapy. Polydopamine (PDA) was coated onto the bacterial surface via in situ polymerization, followed by noncovalent attachment of the IDO-1 inhibitor NLG919, yielding MG1655@PDA-NLG. The functionalized bacteria retained viability and bioactivity while exhibiting outstanding photothermal conversion. In a murine CT26 colon tumor model, intravenous injection led to effective tumor accumulation within 12 h and complete clearance from major organs by 72 h, with negligible hematological toxicity, confirming hypoxic tumor-targeting and biosafety. Under near-infrared irradiation, the engineered bacteria inhibited tumor growth by over 90%, combining photothermal effect and immunogenic cell death (ICD) to promote dendritic cell maturation. This synergized with suppression of tryptophan metabolism, enhancing CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration. This work demonstrates a simple, safe strategy for surface engineering of bacteria with multiple therapeutic agents, offering a promising approach for precise and combined cancer immunotherapy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3817-3
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data-driven edge intelligence applications has created an urgent demand for highly efficient computing hardware. Ferroelectric memristors have emerged as promising candidates for edge hardware due to their multi-level conductance tunability and high integration potential. In this work, we fabricated yttrium-doped hafnium oxide (YHO) memristors with a remanent polarization of ~30 μC/cm2, a multi-level resistive state retention time of approximately 10^5 s, and an endurance of up to 10^9 cycles. Based on this device, we constructed a real-time path-tracking system for intelligent vehicles—which achieves 100% path recognition accuracy—and a traffic sign denoising network optimized for hardware mapping via a hierarchical mixed-precision quantization strategy; this network yields denoised images with a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 27.04 and a structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of 0.80. This work paves an innovative pathway for the practical application of hafnium-based ferroelectric memristors, accelerating the development of highly efficient hardware for edge intelligence.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60654-8
The declining costs of renewable energy are progressively improving the economic viability of employing electrochemical techniques for carbon dioxide capture. Electrochemical carbon capture (ECC) technology utilizes electrical energy to drive electrode reactions, enabling the selective separation of CO2. The vigorous development of ECC powered by renewable energy offers a promising alternative route to conventional carbon capture methods, overcoming limitations associated with thermally driven capture and release cycles. This approach provides a promising alternative route that is more efficient, flexible, scalable, low-energy-consuming and low-polluting for traditional carbon capture technologies. This review begins by introducing established, large-scale carbon capture technologies, such as pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, oxy-fuel combustion, adsorption, membrane separation and the calcium looping process. It then transitions to several rapidly developing ECC technologies, including electrochemically mediated amine regeneration (EMAR), pH-swing-mediated systems, and methods involving redox-active molecules. The pH-swing systems are further categorized into bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED), proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), and membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI). For each method, the underlying principles, technological advancements, advantages, as well as current problems and challenges, are systematically elucidated. It is anticipated that with the widespread deployment of green electricity and persistent innovation in electrochemical materials, ECC technology will emerge as a highly efficient and low-carbon strategy, contributing significantly to the global goal of achieving carbon neutrality.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606005
In the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, urban reclaimed water plants must adopt measures such as energy conservation, consumption reduction, and enhanced resource and energy utilization to achieve carbon neutrality. This study developed a carbon emission balance model and accounting method for such plants, incorporating strategies of carbon emission reduction, carbon substitution, and carbon sink. The optimal pathway towards carbon neutrality was evaluated based on the carbon emission balance ratio. Using a 1×10⁵ m³/d urban reclaimed water plant as a case study, the results showed total carbon emissions of 20,934 t CO2e. The carbon emission reduction from reclaimed water source heat pumps for heating and cooling was 21,701 t CO2e, yielding a carbon emission balance ratio of 103.7%. In contrast, other carbon reduction measures contributed 15,424 t CO2e, with a balance ratio of 73.7%, highlighting the pivotal role of reclaimed water source heat pumps. When the heat pump extracted 27% and 36% of residual thermal energy, coupled with reclaimed water reuse or sludge anaerobic digestion-cogeneration, respectively, both pathways achieved a 100% balance ratio. Assuming year-round extraction, the balance ratio reached 213%. The carbon reduction ratio between utilizing residual thermal energy and chemical energy was 8.76:1. This study demonstrates that urban reclaimed water plants can achieve carbon neutrality through multiple pathways, with residual thermal energy recovery exhibiting significant potential.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606022
This study presents a numerical simulation of the internal flow field in a volatile organic compounds (VOCs) catalytic combustion reactor used in an enameled wire enterprise. Using ANSYS Fluent, the effects of inlet expansion section length, inlet expansion section angle, and catalyst bed spacing on the velocity field were systematically investigated. Additionally, the influence of heating tube configuration on the temperature field was analyzed. The results indicate that an expansion section length of 250 mm is optimal, balancing spatial constraints and the avoidance of recirculation zones. A zero-degree expansion angle yields the most uniform velocity distribution, though practical considerations necessitate case-specific angle selection. A catalyst bed spacing of 0.05 m satisfies the engineering requirement of maintaining pressure drop across a single catalyst layer below 200 Pa while significantly improving gas distribution within the bed. Alternating heating tubes on both sides of the reactor enhance temperature uniformity and elevate the overall catalyst bed temperature, thereby promoting efficient VOCs catalytic combustion. These findings provide quantitative guidance for reactor design optimization, contributing to improved catalytic performance and extended catalyst lifespan.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511057
To investigate the effects of applying sewage sludge aerobic fermentation products on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the rhizosphere soil and phyllosphere of pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.), field experiments were conducted with three treatments: sludge product (sludge group), chemical fertilizer (fertilizer group), and no fertilizer (control). Antibiotic residues, abundances of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were measured in rhizosphere soil and phyllosphere, and microbial community composition and virulence factor (VF) contributions were annotated via metagenomics. Results showed that antibiotic concentrations in rhizosphere soil were generally higher than in phyllosphere. Compared with control, sludge application increased soil antibiotic content by 12.70%, whereas fertilizer increased it by only ~3%, indicating a more significant exogenous input from sludge. At the resistance level, total ARG abundances in rhizosphere soil and phyllosphere of the sludge group increased by 25.47% and 73.08%, respectively, relative to control, with concurrent increases in beta-lactam resistance genes and MGEs such as integron intI1. Sludge application may enhance integron-mediated gene capture and horizontal transfer potential, driving resistance risk accumulation in both phyllosphere and rhizosphere soil. Conversely, fertilizer application reduced ARG abundances by 53.40% in rhizosphere soil and 13.50% in phyllosphere compared with control, consistent with decreased microbial community abundance and diversity, suggesting that reduction of host bacteria and dissemination vectors was a key reason. In community structure, Proteobacteria dominated the phyllosphere, while Chloroflexi dominated rhizosphere soil. Correlation networks identified Sphaerobacter thermophilus and Aggregatilinea lenta positively correlated with multiple ARGs (r≈0.95–1.00), whereas Solirubrobacter sp. CPCC_204708 was negatively correlated (r≈−0.91). Virulence factor contributions followed trends similar to ARGs. Sludge fermentation products simultaneously increased ARG prevalence and related risk indicators in both rhizosphere soil and phyllosphere of pakchoi, providing a reference for risk identification and safe application of sludge fermentation products in agriculture.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3966-0
The development of low platinum-loading catalysts for the economically viable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains challenging. Herein, a precursor dilution strategy is used to fabricate Pt nanoclusters anchored on Ni-embedded porous carbon microspheres. The approach begins with the facile synthesis of Zn/Ni-based coordination polymers (Ni-BTC-Zn) due to the isomorphic substitution of Zn2+ and Ni2+. During pyrolysis, the evaporation of zinc species results in a highly porous carbon structure with well-dispersed nickel nanoparticles. Subsequent solvothermal treatment allows for the uniform deposition of Pt nanoclusters to form the final bimetallic PtNi catalysts (PtNi-BTC-C). Among them, the optimized PtNi-BTC-C10 exhibits exceptional alkaline HER performance, requiring an overpotential of only 41 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2 and a low Tafel slope of 31.1 mV dec−1. It also demonstrates outstanding durability with a current retention of 90.7% after 70 h, far exceeding Pt/C. Extensive characterization confirms that moderate Zn dilution optimally modulates the Ni particle size and dispersion, leading to maximized active sites and enhanced charge transfer. Combined with DFT calculations, the Pt-Ni-cluster model for PtNi-BTC-C10 possesses an optimized electronic structure with a shifted d-band center, which facilitates water dissociation and optimizes H* desorption with the most favorable energetics (0.262 eV). This work provides a fundamental understanding of precursor dilution engineering and offers a versatile pathway for designing advanced noble-metal-based bimetallic electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3892-2
Single-atom co-catalysts on semiconductor substrates offer a cost-efficient route to enhance photocatalytic performance with minimal precious metal loading. However, precise tuning of local coordination environments and construction of efficient single-atom co-catalysts remain challenging for overall water splitting. Here, we employ an icing-assisted photochemical reduction strategy to anchor atomically dispersed Pt species as hydrogen evolution co-catalysts on Al3+-doped SrTiO3 (Pt SA-STO). The optimized Pt SA-STO exhibits remarkable activity, with hydrogen and oxygen evolution rates of 13.62 and 6.71 mmol h−1 g−1, respectively, and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 2114.5 h−1. We pioneer the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to quantitatively track the temporal evolution of Pt4+ to Pt2+ under continuous irradiation during the icing-assisted photoreduction. Advanced characterizations and theoretical calculations confirm that single-atom Pt co-catalysts facilitate directional transfer and extraction of photogenerated charge carriers, effectively suppressing surface recombination. This work provides insights into designing novel single-atom co-catalysts by deepening understanding of electronic configurations and active sites in photocatalytic overall water splitting.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4107-x
Aqueous fiber zinc-iodine batteries (FZIBs) with four-electron redox exhibit inherent safety and high energy density for wearable electronics. Nevertheless, their practical implementations are hindered by unsatisfactory cycling stability and low realistic energy density, mainly caused by severe H2O-induced nucleophilic attack toward iodine species and poor zinc anode reversibility. Here, we report a quaternary ammonium-mediated coordination strategy to simultaneously address the irreversible cathode/anode redox behavior and thus promote the electrochemical performance of four-electron FZIBs. The cationic choline ion (Ch+) induces complexation with ICl2− via electrostatic interaction, homogenizing the electron cloud density and suppressing irreversible hydrolysis of I+ species, enabling a reversible near-theoretical high capacity of 418.3 mAh g−1. Meanwhile, preferentially adsorbed Ch+ on the zinc anode surface creates positively charged shielding layers, mitigating the tip effect caused by localized electric field and achieving robust zinc stripping/plating. The enhanced cathode/anode reversibility and improved interfacial stability enable stable FZIBs operation for over 20,000 cycles at 20.0 A g−1. Moreover, successful integration of FZIBs into electronic textiles with glucose and cardiac rhythm sensors demonstrates great potential for next-generation wearable electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3962-y
Photochromic Förster resonance energy transfer (pc-FRET)-based subnanometric polymersomes with accurate color control offer a transformative yet challenging tactic for advanced and custom-tailored information encryption. Herein, various amphiphilic alternating pyrene/azobenzene-containing copolymers were polymerized using one-pot Ugi four-component polycondensation. Subsequent self-assembly was performed to produce highly-integrated monolayer subnanometric polymersomes (MSNPSs) and their composites, with diameters of around ~250 nm and vesicular thicknesses of approximately ~12.0 Å. J-aggregated monolayer chain-folding mechanism was accountable for the donor-acceptor-donor stacking manner within the vesicular membrane, beneficial to achieve highly efficient energy transfer. The trans-to-cis photoisomerization of azobenzenes rendered MSNPSs and their composites with photo-triggered structural transitions in diameter and vesicular thickness. Benefitting from considerable spectral overlap between cis-azobenzene and pyrene, MSNPSs and their composites were capable of photo-controllable non-invasive pc-FRET performance with a wide Stokes shift (~320 nm). The accurate color variation from blue to red highly depended upon precise modulation of both irradiation duration and precursor-fixed donor/acceptor ratios. The proof-of-concept individually multichromatic 2D QR code was attained using photochromic MSNPSs and their composites in patterning lithography, displaying a multimodal decryption and favorable repeatability for high-level and personalized information protection. Our work paves a prospective avenue to meticulously craft stimuli-chromatic polymersomes for the potential of advanced information encryption.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4000-1
Formamidine lead-based perovskites (FAPbI3) exhibit significant potential in optoelectronic applications. Nevertheless, they encounter challenges related to δ-phase instability and reliance on toxic solvents. In this study, we present a green solvent-additive synergy strategy that employs γ-valerolactone (GVL) in conjunction with reductive acids like oxalic acid (OA), to stabilize α-FAPbI3 single crystals (SCs). GVL enhances the stability of the precursors through the formation of FA+-GVL hydrogen bonds and high-valence [PbIx]2−x clusters, resulting in ambient-stable α-phase SCs, yielding a marked improvement in stability compared to SCs prepared with the toxic solvent γ-butyrolactone (GBL). Additive modulation demonstrates that H+ and reductive groups play a critical role in regulating crystallization, suppressing the δ-phase by promoting FA+ dissociation and inhibiting MA+ deprotonation. A solvent-involved intermediate, δ-FAPbI3-GVL, has been identified; this intermediate evolves into α-FAPbI3 at a low temperature of 60 °C, thereby reducing the energy barriers associated with the α to δ phase transition. In contrast, non-reductive acids and reductive ionic liquids do not inhibit δ-phase formation, with the latter even promoting the crystallization of pure δ-FAPbI3. By utilizing low-volatility OA as an additive, optimized FA0.9MA0.1PbI3 single crystal thin films exhibit a low defect density of 8.3 × 10^11 cm−3. Subsequently, a photodetector was fabricated. Under zero bias voltage and 780 nm illumination, the device exhibited a responsivity of 14.5 mA/W, a detectivity of 3.75 × 10^10 Jones, and a response speed of 149/65 μs. Moreover, without any encapsulation, the device’s performance diminished by only 17% after 30 days of storage in ambient conditions, indicating remarkable stability.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60656-1
Under the carbon neutrality strategy, biomass boilers have emerged as key facilities for renewable energy utilization, yet are characterized by low-concentration SO2 emissions. Ca-based dry desulfurization presents a promising technology for biomass boiler flue gas purification due to its compact structure, low capital investment and simple operation and maintenance. However, it is generally limited by the low adsorbent utilization and insufficient desulfurization efficiency. Herein, this study developed a novel Ca-Mn composite adsorbent through a synergistic strategy integrating F127 surfactant to optimize dispersion and Mn loading to enhance oxidation efficiency. The resulting adsorbent not only significantly increased the breakthrough sulfur capacity of the Ca-based material but also markedly improved the synergistic removal of Hg0. It was demonstrated that the introduction of Mn elements and F127 effectively suppressed the agglomeration of Ca(OH)2 crystallites and induced an oxygen vacancy-rich structure, while simultaneously optimizing the pore structure of the adsorbent. The modified adsorbent exhibited the enlarged specific surface area and pore volume, which favored to enhance the reaction mass transfer and effectively prevent the pore blockage and coverage of active sites by desulfurization products. The Mn sites and oxygen vacancies formed catalytic centers, which not only accelerated the desulfurization reaction by promoting SO2 oxidation but also enabled the adsorbent to couple with Hg0 catalytic oxidation functionality. Consequently, the simultaneous removal of SO2 and Hg0 was significantly enhanced on the Ca-Mn composite adsorbent.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60762-1
The CO2 dry reforming of methane (DRM) is pivotal for CO2 utilization within the dual-carbon framework, offering advantages in carbon reduction and value-added chemical production. However, shaped catalysts suitable for industrial-scale DRM remain limited. This work constructs a monolithic catalyst using honeycomb cordierite as the structural support, systematically investigating the effects of organic and inorganic binders on coating structure and catalytic performance. Comparative studies reveal that the active coating fabricated with inorganic aluminum sol exhibits a continuous uniform morphology and excellent adhesion strength. During high-temperature calcination, elemental diffusion within Al2O3 networks bridges the cordierite surface with active catalyst particles, forming a (Ni-Mg)AlxO4 composite structure. This creates robust metal-support interactions between active sites and the residual alumina matrix. The interconnected mesoporous framework provides superior pore confinement, contributing to strong coating adhesion, enhanced activity, and improved resistance to carbon deposition in the monolithic m-NCM-Al-sol catalyst. In contrast, coatings derived from inorganic silica sol suffer from detachment and activity loss due to heterogeneous surface structures and poor adhesion. Organic binders demonstrate inferior performance in macroscopic coating uniformity, adhesion strength, mesoporous confinement, and localized electronic effects, resulting in the poorest catalytic performance. By optimizing aluminum sol coating parameters—binder content, active component dosage, and coating cycles—a synergistic balance between coating thickness and mass transfer is achieved. The optimized catalyst demonstrates excellent DRM performance, providing insights for constructing high-performance shaped catalysts with cordierite coatings.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4097-3
The on-demand patterning of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with tailored edges is critical for electronic and optoelectronic applications but remains technically challenging. Here, we report a stress-guided anisotropic etching strategy for producing large-area, well-ordered MoS2 nanostructures, including nano-ribbons and nano-squares, without templates. By applying uniaxial cumulative stress followed by selective thermal etching, MoS2 monolayers are statistically etched into ribbon-like structures whose width inversely correlates with applied stress magnitude. The newly etched edges are macroscopically straight or serrated, predominantly Mo-zigzag terminated, and enhance photoluminescence by a factor of ~8.0. The edge type depends on the angle between stress direction and crystallographic orientation, corroborated by theoretical calculations. Biaxial stressing generates well-defined nano-squares, offering a scalable, versatile patterning route for engineering 2D materials with tailored functional edges, promising for electrocatalytic and optoelectronic applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4063-2
Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are emerging as a leader in next-generation display technology. In principle, the efficiency of QLEDs is highly reliant on the radiative recombination rate of injected electrons and holes in the QD emissive layer. Within a solitary light-emitting cycle, a pre-negative-charged QD bursts into a fleeting sparkle upon encountering a hole, much like a lighted piston within a roaring engine. More pistons bring higher horsepower. The challenge of achieving highly efficient QLED lies in how to increase the number of pre-negatively charged QDs. To address these limitations, we developed a ZnO@ZnMgO core-shell nanoparticle (NP)-based electron transport layer (ETL). This design synergistically combines the high conductivity of ZnO core and the low defect density of the ZnMgO shell. Measured by electron-excited transient absorption, the average electron population (<N_e>) in the emissive layer for ZnO@ZnMgO and ZnMgO-based QLEDs was 0.61 and 0.33 at 4 V, respectively, which greatly increases the carrier recombination efficiency. As a result, green QLEDs achieve a peak EQE of 30.66%, maximum luminance of 1,615,039.85 cd/m2, and a low turn-on voltage of approximately 2 V. The T95 operational lifetime exceeded 29,000 h at 1,000 cd/m2. Currently, all parameters are at the top level within the QLED region.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4019-1
Vision is a vital means for humans to perceive the environment, with 80% of information from visual perception. Developing visual systems approaching or surpassing human-level vision plays an indispensable role in advancing autonomous driving, intelligent security, and other fields. Optoelectronic neuromorphic devices, integrating sensing and memory, are promising for emulating human vision. This study constructs a biomimetic visual system based on a 16 × 16 InAlZnO optoelectronic neuromorphic array with oxygen vacancy gradients. Under multi-factor modulation (oxygen vacancy concentration differences, Ag ions, heterojunction interfaces), the device achieves electrical/optical conductance tunability. Integrated with external circuits and a field-programmable gate array, the system successfully emulates human vision capabilities: image memory, denoising, attention mechanism, and motion state perception (direction, speed, color). Image digit recognition based on visual attention reaches 97.15% accuracy, and motion state recognition reaches 100%. This system will promote bionic vision development and application, paving the way for high-performance neuromorphic vision systems surpassing the human eye.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60684-6
Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is a transition metal oxide of significant interest in heterogeneous catalysis due to its environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and favorable electrical properties. The catalytic performance of WO3 is strongly dependent on its exposed crystal facets, which exhibit distinct physicochemical properties including charge separation efficiency, reactant adsorption capacity, and redox activity. These differences arise from variations in atomic arrangement, electronic structure, and surface energy. This review systematically examines the facet effect of WO3 across photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, and thermal catalysis. Theoretical calculations are integrated to elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying facet-dependent behavior from an atomic structure perspective. The paper synthesizes general rules governing the WO3 facet effect across these applications, critically assesses current research limitations, and outlines future directions. Key findings highlight that facet engineering enables precise tuning of catalytic activity and selectivity, with specific facets such as {001}, {110}, and {010} demonstrating enhanced performance in various reactions. The review underscores the importance of morphology control in optimizing WO3-based catalysts and identifies challenges in achieving facet-selective synthesis and stability under operational conditions. Future research should focus on advanced characterization techniques and computational modeling to further unravel facet-dependent mechanisms and guide rational catalyst design.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4123-0
Aqueous aluminum-ion batteries (AAIBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage due to safety, sustainability, and theoretical high capacity. However, sluggish electron/ion transport in conventional cathodes limits rate capability. Here, we first propose high-entropy engineering of metal oxides (HEOs) as cathodes in AAIBs, leveraging the 'cocktail effect' and abundant electron transport pathways to enhance rate-capacity. Atomic-level interactions between different metal atoms broaden the d-band with reduced electronic level degeneracy, facilitating rapid electron transport, achieving one of the best rate capabilities (119.4 mAh g−1 at 10.0 A g−1) among metal-oxide cathodes. The disordered layered oxides formed with a high-entropy framework alleviate electrostatic repulsion between aluminum ions and the fixed lattice, mitigating structural degradation and imparting excellent cycling stability (over 95.1 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 2.0 A g−1). The optimized HEO-Cr cathode (Fe0.6Co0.6Ni0.6Mn0.6Cr0.6O4) exhibits outstanding rate performance and cycling stability. DFT simulations and electrochemical tests reveal that multi-transition metal incorporation, bandgap narrowing, and unique lattice structure drastically enhance electron transport efficiency. The layered phase formed after cycling, based on a high-entropy framework, overcomes challenges from high charge density aluminum ions, significantly enhancing cycling stability. This work paves the way for high-performance AAIBs and other aqueous multivalent metal ion batteries by rationally designing high-entropy engineering.