SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3506-3
Metallic glasses (MGs) often suffer from sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics in neutral and alkaline media, with their catalytic performance predominantly confined to acidic environments. Herein, we reported a novel thermoplastic forming technique to fabricate a self-supported partially crystallized nanoporous Pt56.2Ni5.2Cu16.8P21.8 metallic glass (C-NPMG). The C-NPMG catalyst delivers ultralow overpotentials of 18.0 mV (0.5 M H2SO4), 42.2 mV (1 M KOH), and 88.0 mV (1 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)) at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, outperforming most state-of-the-art non-noble MGs and Pt-based benchmarks across all pH conditions. Notably, it maintains negligible performance decay for over 1000 h in alkaline electrolytes, showcasing superior stability. Experimental and computational analyses reveal that the enhanced HER activity arises from three synergistic effects: (1) the high-specific-surface-area nanoporous architecture that maximizes active site exposure; (2) the formation of crystallite-amorphous interfaces during partial crystallization, which lowers the energy barrier for H2 desorption; (3) the hierarchical super-hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic wettability of the C-NPMG, which optimizes mass transport and prevents electrolyte-induced corrosion. This work establishes a novel design paradigm for developing high-performance, pH-universal HER electrocatalysts by integrating structural nano-engineering and crystallite-amorphous phase synergy in metallic glass systems to overcome the trade-offs between performance and stability in electrochemical water splitting.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3833-1
Developing plasmonic nanomaterials with compositions beyond noble metals is crucial for expanding their applications. Transition metal nitrides, such as titanium nitride (TiN), exhibit excellent plasmonic optical properties and photothermal conversion efficiency, showing promise in catalysis, photothermal therapy, and seawater desalination. However, the structure-property relationship governing their plasmonic optical properties remains unclear. Here, we constructed Au@TiN core-shell nanostructures and systematically investigated the tunability of their geometry, composition, and optical properties. By varying the Au core size and TiN shell thickness, we achieved precise control over the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from visible to near-infrared wavelengths. Single-particle scattering spectroscopy revealed distinct plasmon hybridization modes, with experimental spectra matching theoretical simulations. The Au@TiN nanostructures exhibited enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency (η = 78.5%) under 808 nm laser irradiation, significantly outperforming pure TiN nanoparticles (η = 45.2%). This work demonstrates multi-factor control over plasmonic effects in TiN, providing insights for designing TiN-based plasmonic nanomaterials for catalysis and sensing.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025031304
The Qingling River, a representative silicate rock catchment in the upper Yangtze Basin, is vital for agricultural productivity in central Yunnan. To investigate its hydrochemical characteristics, river water samples were systematically collected during both dry and wet seasons. Employing hydrochemical diagrams, statistical analysis, and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) modeling, we identified influencing factors and their contributions to water chemistry and evaluated irrigation suitability. Results showed that pH ranged from 7.36 to 9.18 in dry season and 7.12 to 8.92 in wet season, with total dissolved solids (TDS) varying between 119–2684 mg·L−1 and 125–2342 mg·L−1, respectively. Dominant cations were Ca2+ and Na+, while anions were primarily SO4^2− and HCO3^− in both seasons; notably, SO4^2− concentrations significantly exceeded the Yangtze River Basin’s average. Hydrochemical types varied seasonally: HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg and HCO3·SO4-Ca dominated in dry season, whereas HCO3·SO4-Ca·Na, HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg, and HCO3-Ca prevailed in wet season. The river water was affected by five factors: sulfuric acid-dominated water-rock interactions, carbonic acid-dominated water-rock interactions, domestic sewage discharge, agricultural non-point source pollution, and unknown sources. Contribution rates were 47.90%, 24.80%, 16.98%, 2.40%, and 7.92% in dry season, and 28.23%, 28.94%, 27.48%, 2.02%, and 13.34% in wet season, respectively. Water-rock interactions emerged as the primary control on hydrochemistry. While most samples were suitable for irrigation, a few exhibited high salinity, warranting cautious use. This study provides scientific support for irrigation water resource management and safe utilization in the Qingling River Basin.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026031103
Sintering ash washing wastewater from steel plants is characterized by high salinity, high chloride content, high thallium load, and coexistence of multiple metals, posing significant treatment challenges. This study employed thermodynamic simulation to elucidate the speciation and transformation of thallium in such wastewater, and systematically investigated a combined process of sulfide precipitation coupled with coagulation-flocculation. The results showed that at pH 9–10, thallium predominantly existed as Tl+. Under oxidizing conditions, the stable complex anion [TlCl4]− dominated at pH < 8.1, while at pH > 8.1, a mixed system of solid Tl2O3 and dissolved TlClO3 coexisted. Under optimized conditions (pH 12, 2.0% thallium removal agent, 1.0% multi-effect auxiliary agent), the thallium concentration in the wastewater decreased from an initial 9.58 mg·L−1 to 4.31 μg·L−1, meeting the stringent discharge limit of ≤5 μg·L−1. Concurrent removal of Cu, Zn, and Cd was achieved. The primary removal mechanism was sulfide precipitation, with lattice substitution between Tl+ and K+ serving as an auxiliary pathway. This study provides a practicable technical route for advanced treatment of high-chloride, high-thallium industrial wastewater.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608026
Biochar and microbial inoculants are widely used for agricultural soil amendment. To investigate the effects of different straw biochars and Bacillus subtilis inoculant, applied individually or combined, on nitrogen transformation in dryland soil, a 60-day laboratory incubation experiment was conducted with six treatments: control (CK), 4% rice straw biochar (S), 4% rapeseed straw biochar (Y), 4% rice straw biochar plus 5 mg/kg inoculant (SJ), 4% rapeseed straw biochar plus 5 mg/kg inoculant (YJ), and inoculant alone (J). Results showed that rice straw biochar significantly increased soil nitrate nitrogen content by 148.74%–152.68% compared to CK, enhancing nitrification. Combined application with inoculant further increased average net nitrogen mineralization rate by 77.28%–99.38%. Conversely, rapeseed straw biochar decreased nitrate nitrogen by 51.66%–57.61%, and combined application reduced net nitrogen mineralization rate by 82.07%–84.73%. Treatments S, Y, SJ, and YJ promoted microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) synthesis, with S and Y increasing MBN by 2.02- and 2.20-fold over CK, respectively. Combined treatments further increased MBN by 103.26%–149.44% relative to single biochar treatments. These findings indicate that biochar type governs nitrification and net nitrogen mineralization, while combined application exerts synergistic effects on MBN. For comprehensive dryland soil improvement, YJ treatment is optimal, reducing inorganic nitrogen loss risk and enhancing microbial nitrogen activity.