SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4234-3
The pursuit of high-energy-density sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) necessitates the development of stable high-capacity anodes. While amorphous carbon is a promising anode candidate for SIBs, its practical application is hindered by limited capacity. Herein, we design a composite anode by chemically confining a high-content (~25 wt%) short-chain sulfur into hierarchical porous hard carbon microspheres (SHHC) derived from microbe yeast. The SHHC anode exhibits a high reversible capacity of ~807 mAh g−1 at 0.03 A g−1 (~3 times that of conventional amorphous carbon) along with superior rate capability, and extraordinary long-term cyclability (almost 100% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1). The high-content sulfur species contribute to superb redox reactivity for high-capacity sodium storage via a surface-dominated storage mechanism. The carbon matrix features an enlarged interlayer distance, which facilitates Na-ion intercalation and deintercalation for high-rate capability. Furthermore, the hierarchical porous structure with built-in cavities facilitates the Na-ion transfer and effectively accommodates the electrode’s volume expansion, achieving fast electrode kinetics and outstanding cyclability. Such a combination of favored properties leads to state-of-the-art comprehensive battery performance for Na-ion storage. Our finding envisions a new perspective on building stable high-capacity anode materials for SIBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4213-x
Lipid peroxyl radicals (ROO·) are terminal propagating species in lipid peroxidation, driving oxidative damage in neurological disorders. Their prolonged lifetime and rapid diffusion within lipid membranes render them difficult to neutralize. Here, we report a bioelectric-responsive TEMPO-doped polydopamine (PDA@TEMPO) nanozyme that sustains catalytic interception of ROO· radicals under persistent oxidative stress. By coupling a PDA redox reservoir with TEMPO catalytic centers, the nanozyme establishes a self-regenerating radical-neutralization cycle via proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). The π-conjugated framework facilitates charge migration and enables an electric-field-enhanced antioxidant response. In a seizure model, the nanozyme dynamically responds to bioelectric fluctuations, accelerating radical interception and alleviating oxidative stress in neural microenvironments. These findings establish bioelectric-coupled nanozymes as a general strategy for catalytic and sustained regulation of oxidative stress in neural microenvironments, providing a potential therapeutic approach for neurological disorders.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605016
BiOX (X=Cl, Br, I) photocatalytic materials were synthesized via a chemical precipitation method. Their structures and properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Results showed that BiOBr exhibits a flower-like nanomicrosphere structure composed of nanosheets, providing a more three-dimensional morphology, larger specific surface area, and moderate light absorption range, resulting in superior visible light absorption. Consequently, BiOBr demonstrated the best photocatalytic degradation of NO under xenon lamp irradiation. The study further investigated the effects of light intensity, NO flow rate, and oxygen presence on the NO degradation performance of BiOBr. Optimal NO removal rate of 58% was achieved under conditions of a light source distance of 15 cm, NO flow rate of 15 mL/min, and in the presence of oxygen. The degradation rate constant for BiOBr was 11×10⁻⁴ min⁻¹, significantly higher than that of BiOCl and BiOI. BiOBr also exhibited good reusability and stability. These findings provide an important experimental basis for the application of BiOBr in the photocatalytic degradation of NO.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4039-1
Immunosuppressive metabolites are major drivers of tumor immune suppression. Among these, kynurenine (Kyn) is produced through the catalysis of tryptophan (Trp) 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, TDO inhibition alone is often insufficient because residual pathway flux sustains the accumulation of the downstream immunosuppressive metabolite quinolinic acid (QA). Here, we propose a strategy to disrupt residual kynurenine pathway activity to enhance metabolism-driven tumor immunotherapy. We develop acid-responsive metal-organic complex nanoparticles (APAP@TDOi-Zn, ATZn) that integrate the TDO inhibitor (TDOi) and Zn2+, while encapsulating acetaminophen (APAP) to inhibit 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase (HAAO), thereby limiting QA production and simultaneously suppressing the residual immunosuppressive metabolite. QA suppression limits M2 macrophage polarization, whereas Kyn inhibition and Zn2+ supplementation promote T cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. Consequently, ATZn rewires Trp-Kyn metabolism and augments antitumor immunotherapy. This work enhances the efficacy of metabolic checkpoint blockade and provides a strategy to overcome metabolism-driven immune resistance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3546-5
Organic cocrystals have emerged as a distinct functional material platform for near-infrared (NIR) optoelectronics, exploiting charge-transfer (CT) interactions between donor and acceptor constituents to generate ultranarrow optical bandgaps. This review systematically consolidates design strategies, controlled synthesis routes, structure–property relationships, characterization methodologies, and frontier applications of NIR-active organic cocrystals. The central mechanistic premise is that hybridization of the donor HOMO and acceptor LUMO produces new excited states whose absorption or emission extends into the 780–2500 nm window. Unlike conventional inorganic NIR materials, which incur high cost and complex fabrication, or discrete organic small molecules, which require multistep synthesis, cocrystals offer a non-destructive assembly route with tunable photophysical output, improved biocompatibility, and environmental stability. The review surveys cocrystal systems including TCNQ- and TCNB-based architectures, carbazole-based CT complexes, and TTF-derived conductors, with emphasis on how hydrogen- and halogen-bonding motifs govern packing, ionicity, and optoelectronic response. Controlled synthesis methods—mechanochemical grinding, vapor digestion, and solution assembly—are compared with respect to polymorph selectivity and stoichiometric fidelity. Characterization approaches spanning three-dimensional electron diffraction, FT-IR, and single-crystal X-ray analysis are evaluated for their capacity to resolve CT degree and band structure. Applications in NIR photothermal conversion, organic field-effect transistors, optical waveguides, and amplified spontaneous emission are assessed against performance metrics. Remaining challenges include scalable polymorph control, quantitative prediction of CT degree, and long-term operational stability under ambient and biological conditions.