SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4269-4
Self-assembled molecular interlayers (SAMs) are promising hole-selective contacts for high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs) due to their well-defined energy alignment and minimal parasitic absorption. However, their intrinsically limited mechanical robustness often leads to structural degradation and performance loss under mechanical deformation, restricting their application in flexible devices. Here, we report a nanoparticle-reinforced self-assembled composite interface that simultaneously enhances mechanical reliability and optoelectronic performance. Uniformly dispersed SiO2 nanoparticles are introduced as high-modulus reinforcing building blocks without disturbing molecular self-assembly. In contrast to NiOx nanoparticles, which suffer from aggregation and parasitic absorption, SiO2 nanoparticles exhibit excellent dispersion and optical transparency, enabling formation of a structurally compatible hybrid interface. Mechanistic studies reveal that SiO2 nanoparticles redistribute interfacial stress and form dynamic hydrogen-bond networks with phosphonic acid groups of 2PACz, providing efficient energy dissipation during cyclic deformation. Meanwhile, modulation of interfacial polarity extends the crystallization time window of the active layer, resulting in enhanced molecular ordering and improved charge transport. As a result, devices based on the SiO2/2PACz composite interface achieve a power conversion efficiency of 20.14% for rigid devices and 19.30% for flexible devices, placing the flexible devices among the highest-performing flexible OSCs reported to date, while retaining over 90% of their initial efficiency after repeated bending cycles. This work establishes a general strategy for overcoming the trade-off between electronic selectivity and mechanical robustness in ultrathin self-assembled molecular interfaces, providing design insights for high-performance flexible organic optoelectronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3700-7
Photocatalytic synthesis has been considered a promising technology for solar-to-chemicals conversion. Here, a series of novel photocatalysts was synthesized by decorating uranyl sites on imine-based covalent organic frameworks (i-COF) and proved functioning for the uniformly boosted H2O2 production by 1.6–10.1 folds compared with the bare i-COFs in a wide pH range from 2 to 11. Typically, an optimal H2O2 production rate of 1435.9 μmol g−1 h−1, i.e., 28.72 mmol g(U)−1 h−1, was realized over uranyl decorated TTa-COFs under visible light. Systematic investigations reveal that the universally and remarkably promoted performance is attributed to the outstanding electron-transfer ability, accelerated activation of molecular oxygen and favored formation of ·O2− and *OOH as the key intermediate by virtue of the decorated uranyl ions; thus the two-step single-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for H2O2 photo-generation is significantly facilitated. This work paves a new way for the uranyl-decorated COFs as a novel photocatalyst and provides in-depth insight to the reaction mechanism for photocatalytic H2O2 production.
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.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0026
The catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to light olefins (C2–C4) represents a pivotal route for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while producing high-value chemical feedstocks. This review systematically examines the two principal technological pathways: CO2-Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (CO2-FTO) and CO2-methanol-to-olefins (CO2-MTO). The CO2-FTO route couples reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, whereas CO2-MTO proceeds via methanol intermediate. Key challenges arise from the thermodynamic stability of CO2 (C=O bond dissociation energy ~750 kJ/mol) and kinetic limitations. The review critically evaluates the influence of catalyst promoters (e.g., Na, Mn, Cu), support structures, and surface defect site concentrations on CO2 activation and olefin selectivity. For zeolite-based catalysts, pore architecture and acidity are shown to govern methanol conversion to olefins. Representative data from the literature indicate that Fe-based catalysts with Na promotion achieve CO2 conversion up to 40% with olefin selectivity exceeding 50% under optimized conditions. The review underscores the necessity of integrating catalyst design with reactor engineering to overcome thermodynamic constraints and achieve industrially viable performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3781-8
The 2xxx (Al-Cu-Mg) alloy is widely used in transportation fields due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. However, conventional heat treatments such as peak aging (PA) often result in a pronounced strength-ductility trade-off and limited fatigue resistance. To address these limitations, this work presents a comprehensive study on the mechanical properties and fatigue behavior of Al-Cu-Mg alloy subjected to a cyclic plasticity treatment. The cyclic strengthened (CS) samples exhibit a well-balanced combination of strength and ductility due to the formation of nanoscale solute clusters. A systematic and quantitative analysis of the strengthening mechanisms is performed to evaluate the contributions of key microstructural features to the mechanical response. Moreover, the CS samples also demonstrate a significantly higher fatigue ratio and fatigue strength compared to the PA sample, despite exhibiting comparable tensile strength. These improvements are attributed to the absence of weak precipitate-free zones (PFZs) induced as a result of cyclic plasticity, which completely eliminates the pronounced strength differential between the grain interiors and the PFZs observed in the PA state. This microstructural uniformity effect effectively suppresses strain localization under cyclic loading, promotes a more homogeneous strain partitioning, and consequently delays fatigue crack initiation. These findings highlight cyclic plasticity treatment as a promising microstructure design strategy for simultaneously enhancing the mechanical and fatigue properties of high-strength Al alloys.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510013
To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of nutrients and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in Dongping Lake, a coupled hydrodynamic-water quality-ecological model was developed using Delft3D. The model simulated total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N), total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and Chl-a. After validation, the model systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns and influencing factors, revealing nitrogen and phosphorus transformation pathways. Results showed three temporal phases: relatively stable concentrations from January to April, significant fluctuations from May to August, and gradual stabilization from September to December, with peak timing varying among indicators. Spatially, concentrations were generally higher in the south and lower in the north, but NH4-N, TP, and Chl-a exhibited reverse patterns (higher in north) during certain periods. External inputs, primarily from the Dawen River, dominated the overall distribution, while water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and hydrodynamic conditions further modulated internal variability. Nitrogen and phosphorus showed distinct fates: nitrogen was primarily removed via denitrification and anammox, whereas phosphorus tended to transform into particulate forms and remained in the lake for extended periods. These findings provide scientific support for precise water quality management in Dongping Lake.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60628-1
The coupling of CO2 with olefins to produce cyclic carbonates has emerged as an important research topic in sustainable chemistry, owing to its high atom economy and the wide applicability of the resulting products. However, this reaction faces a significant challenge due to the mismatch between the rates of the epoxidation and cycloaddition steps. In this work, a series of TS-1 zeolite catalysts encapsulating different amounts of molybdenum acetylacetonate were prepared through hydrothermal synthesis followed by post-treatment, with the aim of elucidating the rate balance between the epoxidation and cycloaddition steps and the underlying regulation mechanism. Characterization results show that the Mo species were present as highly dispersed molybdenum acetylacetonate complexes that were stably confined within the TS-1 framework. These complexes interact electronically with the tetra-coordinated Ti sites to form synergistic active centers, while imposing negligible effects on the zeolite structure and porosity. In the CO2-styrene coupling reaction, tuning the Mo loading enabled effective control over the epoxidation rate, thereby achieving an appropriate balance with the subsequent cycloaddition step. The optimized catalyst delivered excellent performance under mild conditions, with a styrene conversion of 83.4% and a selectivity of 75.3%, and also exhibited outstanding recyclability. Overall, this encapsulated catalyst successfully addresses the dual challenges of rate matching and active-site stability in CO2–olefin coupling, providing valuable insights for the rational design of efficient, durable bifunctional catalysts.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202408057
Urban waterlogging, exacerbated by climate change and rapid urbanization, poses increasing risks, particularly in coastal low-lying areas with dense river networks. This study simulated waterlogging in the Shajing River drainage area of the Maozhou River basin, Shenzhen, using the SOBEK hydrodynamic model. Under a 5-year return period rainfall, 47 manholes overflowed and 31.29% of stormwater pipes operated at full capacity. Twelve waterlogging-prone points were identified: eight due to insufficient drainage capacity and five due to river backflow from low elevation. Two optimization schemes were compared: enlarging pipe diameters and implementing Low Impact Development (LID) measures. Pipe enlargement reduced overflowing manholes by 32 and full-flow pipe length by 20%, effectively decreasing surface ponding. LID measures reduced overflowing manholes by only 4 and full-flow pipe length by 1.5%, but decreased maximum flooding depth by nearly 1 m, alleviating drainage system burden. The study highlights the complex causes of coastal urban waterlogging, especially river backflow under tidal influence, and recommends considering sea-level rise and storm surge in drainage design. The findings provide valuable references for attributing waterlogging causes and planning drainage network upgrades in coastal cities.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4181-6
Green hydrogen production via electrocatalytic water splitting is pivotal for sustainable energy, yet the high cost and scarcity of platinum (Pt) catalysts impede large-scale adoption. Ruthenium (Ru)-based materials emerge as promising alternatives, but their performance requires enhancement. Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), particularly ReS2, offer intrinsic 1T' phase with good conductivity and stability, yet suffer from inert surfaces limiting water adsorption. Here, we report a heterostructure comprising Ru nanoclusters anchored on ReS2 nanosheets (Ru/ReS2) to modulate electronic structure via d-p coupling. This design enhances water dissociation kinetics and optimizes hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔG_H*). The Ru/ReS2 catalyst exhibits superior hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity in acidic media, achieving an overpotential of 47 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 38 mV dec−1, outperforming commercial Pt/C (overpotential 54 mV, Tafel slope 45 mV dec−1). Notably, it demonstrates exceptional stability, with negligible degradation after 10,000 cyclic voltammetry cycles, contrasting with Pt/C's 54 mV overpotential increase. Density functional theory calculations reveal that d-p coupling between Ru and ReS2 optimizes the electronic structure, facilitating water adsorption and dissociation. This work provides a rational strategy for designing efficient, durable, and cost-effective HER electrocatalysts for green hydrogen production.