Prof. Yunqing Cao | Publications & Academic Profile | SinoGreenTech

Research Publications & English Decoded Briefs

Showing 3 publications

SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3407-0

Engineering MgAg alloy segregation at grain boundary for enhanced room-temperature n-type Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based thermoelectrics

Grain boundary (GB) engineering has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the near-room-temperature performance of Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based thermoelectric materials, yet effective control of Mg distribution at GBs remains a significant challenge. Here, we report a novel approach to achieve targeted Mg segregation at GBs through strategic Ag incorporation in Mg3.3Sb0.5Bi1.497Te0.003. Through comprehensive microstructural characterization and first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that Ag preferentially segregates at GBs, forming Mg-rich MgAg alloy phases while maintaining limited solid solubility within the matrix. This unique GB architecture simultaneously optimizes multiple thermoelectric parameters: the Mg-rich GB regions significantly provide efficient carrier transport channels and enhance carrier mobility, while the MgAg phases and lattice disorders effectively scatter phonons without disrupting electron transport. Consequently, the optimized composition (x = 0.01) exhibits a remarkable enhancement in power factor at 300 K and maintains an average ZT of ~1.0 across 300–400 K. The material also demonstrates excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability, making it particularly suitable for near-room-temperature applications. Our findings not only establish an effective strategy for GB engineering in Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 systems but also provide valuable insights into the rational design of high-performance thermoelectric materials through interface modification.

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3962-y

Monolayer subnanometric polymersomes with ultrabroad photochromism performance for multichromatic and multimodal information security

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.

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SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4129-y

A “dual lock-and-key” engineered intracellular synthesis for high-precision cancer therapy

Therapeutic biosynthesis is a promising strategy for precision cancer therapy, yet achieving controlled synthesis of abiotic materials within tumors remains challenging. Here, we report a “dual lock-and-key” system for tumor-specific intracellular synthesis. The precursor, termed “dual-lock,” is activated by two endogenously overexpressed enzymes—azoreductase (AzoR) and nitroreductase (NTR)—acting as “dual keys” in target cancer cells. This activation triggers a condensation reaction that produces fibrous mesh covalent organic polymers (Fm-COPs) in situ. Synthesized Fm-COPs effectively disrupt the cytoskeleton, inhibiting cell migration and invasion while inducing apoptosis. In vivo studies demonstrate that this strategy achieves specific tumor enrichment and deep penetration, leading to significant tumor growth inhibition (tumor inhibition rate >70%) without systemic toxicity, as evidenced by stable body weights and normal histopathology. The dual enzyme-responsive mechanism ensures high selectivity, and the small-molecule precursors facilitate efficient tumor penetration. This work presents a next-generation approach for high-precision cancer therapy, offering a biocompatible and autonomous strategy for intracellular synthesis.

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