SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4404-7
Electrochemical propylene epoxidation offers a sustainable route to propylene oxide (PO), but achieving high selectivity and stability under industrial current densities remains challenging. Herein, we report a high entropy amorphous CoFeNiCrMnBOx borate loaded with high valence Pt single atoms catalyst (a-Pt-HEBO) for stable bromine radical-mediated propylene epoxidation reaction (BrPOR). The high-entropy amorphous structure reshapes the interfacial hydrogen-bonding network and enriches free water, substantially lowering the energy barrier for water dissociation. Meanwhile, the strong electronic interactions between the coordinatively unsaturated, high-valence single Pt atoms and the substrate effectively prevent transition metal dissolution at high anodic potentials. The catalyst achieved 82.1% Faraday efficiency of PO at an industrial grade current density of 100 mA cm-2, and demonstrated excellent industrial application stability in up to 500 h of continuous test and within a scaled-up electrolyzer (4 × 4 cm2). This work provides a design for high-entropy catalysts in halogen-mediated electrosynthesis and a viable pathway toward carbon-neutral PO production.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4159-y
The electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste to valuable glycolic acid (GA) represents an attractive route for waste resource upcycling. However, achieving high selectivity remains challenging due to the difficulty in steering the complex reaction pathway. In this study, PdPtCuInBi high-entropy intermetallic metallene (HEI-PdPtCuInBiene) is reported to precisely control EG oxidation reaction (EGOR) pathway for GA production by constructing multiple active sites at the atomic scale. In PET hydrolysate, it achieves a Faradaic efficiency of 99.87% and a production rate of 1.47 mmol h−1 cm−2, along with excellent stability. Mechanistic studies reveal that the high-entropy structure induces strong p-d orbital hybridization, which optimizes the electronic structure of active sites, thus weakening the adsorption of key carbonyl intermediates and suppressing C–C bond cleavage. The synergistic electronic effect among Pd, Pt, and Cu further enables differential adsorption of distinct intermediates on diverse active sites, enhancing the selective formation of GA. Techno-economic analysis exhibits high profitability (~$784.9 t−1 PET) of this route, demonstrating the great potential of high-entropy intermetallic metallene in regulating electrocatalytic upcycling of PET waste and beyond.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3658-1
Organic-inorganic hybrid copper(I) halide semiconductors have attracted extensive attention for applications in phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (pc-WLEDs), X-ray imaging, and photodetectors because of their superior photo/radioluminescence, structural diversity, and eco-friendliness. In previous work, a strategy combining coordinated anionic inorganic modules with cationic derivatives yielded highly efficient blue-emitting hybrids, but synthesis complexity limited practical use. Here, we report a facile, efficient, and rapid solution-based ultrasonic treatment method for synthesizing high-performance blue-emitting phosphors using inexpensive, commercially available tetraethylammonium halides (TEAX, X = Cl, Br, I). The synergistic interplay of ionic and covalent bonds in these compounds endows them with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 70% and excellent stability. These materials exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), delivering outstanding performance in pc-WLEDs and X-ray imaging. Their exceptional properties highlight significant potential for use in optoelectronic devices and X-ray scintillators. This work provides an important reference for rapid synthesis of high-performance copper(I) halide hybrid phosphors and paves the way for commercial application.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3714-3
Eco-friendly aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) are promising alternatives to lead-acid batteries in applications requiring both safety and energy density. However, their practical deployment is hindered by the synergistic deterioration of zinc anodes—structural collapse and kinetic failure—under high depth of discharge (DOD) and high current densities, which severely limits actual energy and power densities. Here, we report a strategy for the in situ integration of a double-layer topological chitosan framework (D-CTS) on current collectors via regulating phase separation kinetics during multistage coordination-neutralization electrophoresis. The vertical through-hole array is formed by coupling instantaneous and delayed phase separation. Subsequently, a columnar zinc array is mediated by D-CTS to construct an integrated component (D-CTS-Zn) comprising a vertical through-hole separator and an array anode. The embedded interconnected nanonetworks within the through-hole walls enable dynamic equilibrium of the columnar zinc array through a lateral ion compensation mechanism. As a result, Zn||Zn symmetric cells with D-CTS-Zn stably cycle over 3000 cycles at 200 mA cm−2 under 60% DOD. The assembled D-CTS-Zn||MnO2 battery delivers an energy density of 83 Wh kg−1 at an ultrahigh power density of 9.25 kW kg−1. This work provides a constructive strategy for chitosan phase separation regulation and separator-induced reversible metal array anodes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3707-8
Wound infection is a major cause of death during the wound healing process. Improperly dressed wounds can lead to secondary injury, prolonging healing time and increasing infection risk. Here, we propose an antibacterial slippery dressing through molecular engineering of copper ions. The oil layer forms a barrier to reduce clot adhesion to the wound site and prevent environmental contamination. Single-cell level detection indicates that secreted copper ions induce bacterial death not only by disrupting membrane integrity but also by relying on the production of reactive oxygen species. Further membrane depolarization and adenosine triphosphate production blockage result in the aggregation of important proteins in various biological processes, such as metabolic homeostasis, ultimately leading to bacterial death. The animal model confirms that our dressing accelerates wound healing by promoting the growth of granulation tissue and collagen deposition. Our dressing demonstrates significant clinical implications for the design of next-generation therapeutic applications.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61068-2
The poor interface contact between bismuth (Bi) nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) impedes ion/electron transfer in lithium-ion battery anodes. We report an innovative fabrication of ultrafine Bi nanocrystals chemically bonded to rGO (Bi-rGO) via liquid-phase pulsed laser irradiation followed by solvothermal reaction with graphene oxide. Metastable Bi nanocrystals synthesized by laser (5.5 nm) undergo lattice restructuring and shrink to a record-small size of 2 nm during solvothermal combination, the smallest reported for Bi/C composites. The Bi nanocrystals are uniformly anchored onto rGO nanosheets via strong Bi–O–C bonds, which suppress particle aggregation, establish efficient ion/electron transport channels, and alleviate volume expansion during lithiation. The Bi-rGO-2 anode, comprising 2 nm Bi nanocrystals, delivers an exceptional reversible capacity of 586.7 mAh g−1 over 500 cycles at 100 mA g−1, nearly doubling that of a Bulk Bi/rGO composite anode (318 mAh g−1). Theoretical calculations confirm higher binding energy between Bi and rGO at smaller particle sizes, while kinetic analysis reveals accelerated Li+ diffusion. This work provides a scalable route to high-performance alloy anodes through metastable nanocrystal engineering and covalent interface coupling.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3777-0
Optically clear adhesives (OCAs) are critical for next-generation optoelectronic systems, yet their end-of-life management remains a sustainability challenge. Here, we report a debondable and robust polyurethane (PU)-based OCA that integrates both mechanical and chemical recyclability. The PU-based OCA exhibits high optical transparency (>90% transmittance from visible to near-infrared), strong adhesion to glass and polymeric substrates (bonding strength up to 5.0 MPa), and thermally sensitive H-bonding interactions that enable on-demand deadhesion at elevated temperatures. This capability facilitates non-destructive detachment of functional assemblies, promoting component reuse and material recycling. The adhesive demonstrates excellent mechanical properties, including ductility and strength, and outperforms several commercial optical adhesives in key performance metrics. Its straightforward synthesis and industrial scalability make it a promising solution for advancing circular economy principles in optoelectronic device manufacturing. The work addresses critical bottlenecks in balancing mechanical performance, adhesion/detachment, and recyclability, offering a transformative approach to sustainable advanced manufacturing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3747-3
Thermochromic soft materials are flexible functional materials that adaptively tune optical properties (transmittance, reflectance, or scattering) with temperature for thermal modulation. Herein, a laminated thermochromic gel (DEE-DA) is synthesized by encapsulating a thermochromic hydrogel (DA) between two hydrophobic ionogels (DEE) in a stacked configuration. The synergy of multiple dynamic bonds endows the DEE-DA gel with exceptional mechanical properties and remarkable self-healing capability (98.8% at 30 °C). More importantly, attributed to the temperature-responsive reversible cleavage and recombination of hydrogen bonds and borate ester bonds, DEE-DA gel demonstrates tunable transmittance with a light modulation efficiency of 85.45%. In response to the various external conditions, the gel can auto-adjust the optical properties to avoid sun irradiation or heat loss. Accordingly, the gel enables efficient dual-mode thermal modulation across a broad temperature range to realize thermal management. The research proposes gel thermochromism and laminated durability enhancement for adaptive materials in smart buildings and wearables.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010306
Sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) has attracted increasing attention due to its low cost, no need for external carbon sources, and low sludge production. This review systematically examines the reaction principles and key material elements of various electron donors for SAD, including elemental sulfur, sulfide, thiosulfate, and iron sulfide. It discusses recent research progress on different SAD processes and the influence of environmental factors. A comparative analysis between heterotrophic denitrification and SAD highlights SAD's advantages in reaction rate, secondary pollution, and cost-effectiveness, underscoring its promising application prospects. Notably, iron sulfide-based autotrophic denitrification maintains stable pH and produces fewer by-products (e.g., sulfate, nitrous oxide). When developed into an aggregate sulfur concrete system, it can purify nitrogen and phosphorus from secondary effluent standards to Class IV surface water standards within a hydraulic retention time of only 0.5–2 hours, addressing the contradiction between SAD reaction rate and engineering demands. This enables efficient simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal, making it viable for groundwater remediation, advanced wastewater treatment, eutrophication control, and deep nitrogen removal. The national 'Dual Carbon Strategy' (carbon neutrality and peak) positions SAD as a promising method for wastewater treatment plants to meet increasingly stringent nitrogen and phosphorus discharge standards.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025020603
The high cellulase-producing strains were screened and the enzyme production conditions were optimized, providing strain resources for the effective utilization of agricultural solid waste. A promising cellulolytic strain S3 was isolated from the soil of Hengshui Lake Wetland Park. The isolation process employed Congo red plate staining method for primary screening, followed by secondary screening through cellulase activity determination and straw degradation experiments. Through morphological observation and molecular biology identification, the strain S3 was identified to be Bacillus cereus. The ratio of transparent circle to colony diameter of strain S3 was 4.01±0.17. The filter paper enzyme activity of strain S3 was 42.09 U·mL−1, and the degradation rate of corn stover reached 19.29% after 10 days of fermentation. It was found that the optimum carbon source of strain S3 was the mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and wheat bran with the addition amount of 4%, and the optimum nitrogen source was soybean powder with the addition amount of 2%. Single factor experiment and response surface methodology were used to optimize the enzyme production conditions of the strain S3. The optimal conditions were fermentation time of 76 h, fermentation temperature of 36℃, initial pH of 6, and inoculation volume of 4%. Under these conditions, the filter paper enzyme activity reached 60.13 U·mL−1, which was 1.43 times higher than that before optimization. The strain S3 showed the high cellulase-producing capability, demonstrating its potential as an efficient microbial candidate for the degradation and utilization of agricultural solid waste.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509019
To enhance the electricity generation and decolorization efficiency of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) for azo dye wastewater, this study introduced pomelo peel biochar as anode material and flavonoid-rich Chinese herbal medicines as electron mediators (EMs) into microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The anodes were prepared by chemical activation with KOH, ZnCl2, and H3BO3, followed by polypyrrole (PPy) modification. Among the modified anodes, PPy-PPCH3BO3-CC exhibited the best electrochemical performance. The EMs were derived from aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin), Ginkgo biloba leaves, and Pueraria lobata (Gegen). The extract from Scutellaria baicalensis showed the highest electron transfer capability. In the MFC system equipped with the optimal anode and Scutellaria baicalensis extract, the maximum output voltage reached (587±10) mV, power density increased to 423.12 mW·m−2, Coulombic efficiency was (57.85±1.06)%, COD removal efficiency was (77.45±0.92)%, charge transfer resistance (Rct) decreased to 7.15 Ω, and methyl orange decolorization rate reached (95.86±1.12)%. These results were significantly superior to the control group, demonstrating that natural source materials can effectively enhance the performance of BES for methyl orange wastewater treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025022301
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a typical perfluorinated compound, has been restricted from production and use due to its adverse effects on organisms and ecosystems. It has been replaced by various emerging alternatives, including 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA). Recently, 6:2 FTSA has been widely detected in aquatic environments; however, studies on its toxicity to aquatic organisms remain limited. To compare the toxic effects of PFOS and 6:2 FTSA on aquatic organisms, zebrafish embryos were exposed to each compound for 72 h. Toxic effects were evaluated, and alterations in endogenous metabolites and metabolic pathways in zebrafish embryos were analyzed using metabolomics. The study demonstrated that both PFOS and 6:2 FTSA induced malformations in zebrafish embryos, with 61 and 33 endogenous differential metabolites identified respectively, predominantly involving lipids and amino acid derivatives. PFOS induces immunotoxicity primarily by disrupting lipid metabolism pathways, thereby interfering with normal embryonic development. In addition, 6:2 FTSA exhibited neurotoxicity by affecting metabolic pathways such as dopaminergic synapses. This study elucidates the differential metabolic responses induced by PFOS and 6:2 FTSA in zebrafish embryos, providing a theoretical basis for assessing the health risks of PFOS alternatives.