SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4321-x
Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes are leading candidates for solid-state lithium metal batteries due to their flexibility, processability, and interfacial compliance. However, the strong crystallization tendency of PEO and limited lithium salt dissociation result in low ionic conductivity and low Li+ transference number, exacerbating concentration polarization and interfacial instability. Introducing metal-organic framework (MOF) fillers into PEO matrices has emerged as an effective route to regulate polymer-chain packing and promote salt dissociation via Lewis acid-base interactions. Yet, most studies focus on cubic ZIF-8, whose saturated Zn coordination environment limits intrinsic Lewis acidity and restricts its ability to immobilize TFSI- anions. Simultaneously, simple physical blending often leaves discontinuous interfacial transport regions in composite electrolytes, so improved salt dissociation does not automatically translate into fast Li+ transport. Here we report a PEO-based composite polymer electrolyte, denoted as PZS, that couples monoclinic ZIF-8 (M-ZIF-8) nanosheets with a thin SiO2 layer. The design combines two complementary functions: the under-coordinated Zn sites in M-ZIF-8 provide strong Lewis acid centers to adsorb TFSI- and promote LiTFSI dissociation, while the hydroxyl-rich SiO2 shell improves compatibility with the PEO matrix and helps construct continuous interfacial Li+ transport pathways. Benefiting from this synergy, the optimized PZS electrolyte delivers an ionic conductivity of 8.3 × 10-4 S cm-1 and a Li+ transference number of 0.57 at 60 ℃, together with an electrochemical stability window of 5.2 V. Li||Li symmetric cells remain stable for over 1200 h at 0.1 mA cm-2, and LFP||Li full cells retain 80% of their capacity after 400 cycles at 0.5 C.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4420-7
Cu2-xSe is a leading p-type thermoelectric material owing to its phonon-liquid electron-crystal (PLEC) behavior, yet the atomic-scale mechanisms governing Cu+ migration remain unresolved. This study employs in situ high-resolution neutron diffraction coupled with maximum entropy method (MEM) analysis to map the temperature-dependent evolution of Cu+ nuclear density in β-Cu2Se and β-Cu1.95Se. At 398–423 K, intra-tetrahedral Cu 8c ↔ 32f <111> hopping emerges, with isosurface values of 0.505 fm Å-3 for β-Cu2Se and 0.484 fm Å-3 for β-Cu1.95Se. Above 448 K, inter-tetrahedral pathways form via Cu 32f ↔ 32f <100> or 32f ↔ 4b ↔ 32f <111> migration, as revealed by line scans along [1̅11̅] up to 723 K. The presence of Cu vacancies (x = 0.05) alters the onset and connectivity of these pathways, directly impacting phonon scattering and electron transport. These findings establish a structural basis for controlling Cu+ mobility, offering a rational route to mitigate Cu precipitation and enhance zT stability beyond 1.5 at 900 K. The work bridges microstructural dynamics and thermoelectric performance, providing critical guidance for defect engineering in superionic thermoelectrics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4197-4
Deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) remain the most challenging primary-color emitters due to stringent exciton energy requirements. We strategically designed two innovative deep-blue emitters, SCZ-4AnCN and STPA-4AnCN, via systematic functionalization of an anthracene core with arylamino-decorated spirofluorene donors and cyano-substituted phenyl acceptors. Comprehensive theoretical and experimental analyses demonstrate that these spirofluorene-anthracene hybrids adopt precisely engineered distorted configurations, effectively suppressing detrimental intermolecular π–π stacking in condensed phases. The sp3-hybridized bridgehead carbons in spirofluorene units play a pivotal role by simultaneously restricting π-conjugation extension and fine-tuning donor–acceptor interactions, thereby stabilizing the lowest excited singlet (S1) state with dominant local excitation (LE) character. This molecular engineering yields exceptional deep-blue emission with remarkable efficiency. Notably, the materials exhibit unique high-lying reverse intersystem crossing (hRISC) behavior, enabling efficient triplet harvesting. Optimized doped devices incorporating SCZ-4AnCN achieve outstanding performance, including a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE_max) exceeding 10% and CIE coordinates (0.154, 0.052) approaching the BT.2020 blue standard. Nondoped devices maintain impressive performance with an EQE_max of 7.51% and superior operational stability, demonstrating less than 10% efficiency roll-off at 1000 cd m−2. This work validates anthracene-based molecular architectures for deep-blue electroluminescence and establishes a transformative design paradigm for next-generation OLED emitters.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024112603
Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous co-existing pollutants in aquatic environments. This study investigated the effects of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) MPs with varying aging degrees on the photodegradation of SMX. In the absence of MPs, SMX photodegradation was only 28%, while the presence of virgin PE increased it to 34%. Aging PE for 200, 400, and 600 h further enhanced degradation to 46%, 56%, and 77%, respectively. Pseudo-first-order kinetics showed that the rate constant (kobs) increased from 0.066 h−1 to 0.224 h−1 with aged PE. Aged MPs generated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) under irradiation, including hydroxyl radicals (·OH), singlet oxygen (1O2), and superoxide anions (O2·−), as confirmed by radical quenching and EPR analysis. Density functional theory identified the benzene ring, five-membered heterocycle, and sulfonyl group as primary ·OH attack sites. LC-MS analysis revealed degradation products such as p-aminobenzenesulfonamide, indicating both direct and indirect photolysis pathways. This work provides mechanistic insights into antibiotic-MP interactions and informs strategies for managing co-existing pollutants.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3932-1
Organic room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have attracted considerable interest due to their unique advantages, such as tunable molecular structures, excellent processability, intrinsic flexibility, and diverse excited-state characteristics. Among these, stimuli-responsive RTP materials, whose luminescence can be modulated by external stimuli (e.g., light, pH, heat, mechanical force or solvent), hold great promise for advanced applications like anti-counterfeiting, information encryption, and sensing. In this review, we systematically summarize recent advances in stimuli-responsive RTP materials, classifying them based on their activation mechanisms. Specifically, we elucidate the fundamental principles governing their stimulus-responsive behaviors and highlight representative examples from various categories. Furthermore, we explore structure-property relationships and design strategies to establish a foundational framework for understanding these materials. This review not only deepens the mechanistic insights into stimuli-responsive RTP systems but also provides strategic guidance for the rational design of next-generation intelligent RTP materials in multidisciplinary fields.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225200
Phosphogypsum, a by-product of wet-process phosphoric acid production, poses severe environmental and safety challenges due to its massive annual output and stockpiling. This study addresses the urgent need for resource utilization by employing phosphogypsum as the primary raw material, supplemented with ground granulated blast furnace slag, fly ash, and type II anhydrite. Two foaming agents, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and aluminum powder, were used to regulate pore structure, and their effects on ceramsite performance were compared. Under identical preparation conditions, aluminum powder yielded higher 7-day cylinder compressive strength than NaHCO3. Optimal formulations achieved a maximum cylinder compressive strength of 6.5 MPa with a bulk density of 1020 kg/m3, meeting lightweight aggregate concrete strength requirements. Aluminum powder produced closed pores, reducing bulk density to as low as 765 kg/m3, while NaHCO3 generated interconnected pores leading to higher water absorption. XRD, SEM, and BET analyses revealed that strength-contributing phases are calcium silicate hydrate and calcium aluminate hydrate; trace heavy metals (Mo, Ti) hinder their formation, causing structural defects. This work demonstrates a green, non-fired route for phosphogypsum valorization, offering environmental and economic benefits and a pathway for large-scale utilization.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61101-8
Phenolic compounds are typical refractory organic pollutants in coal chemical coking wastewater, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Conventional treatment methods are inefficient, necessitating advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Here, we report a low-cost Fe/N–C catalyst synthesized from coal-tar pitch, a common by-product of the coal chemical industry, via a self-assembly and pyrolysis strategy using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a template and nitrogen source, with dicyandiamide as an auxiliary nitrogen source and FeCl3·6H2O as the iron precursor. The resulting nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets possess abundant defects (sp3-C/sp2-C = 0.66) and atomically dispersed iron species. The Fe/N–C catalyst exhibits outstanding catalytic activity for peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation, achieving over 98% phenol degradation within 30 minutes and a 60% total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate. Mechanistic studies, including radical quenching and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments, reveal that both radical and non-radical pathways contribute to phenol degradation, with singlet oxygen (1O2) as the primary reactive oxygen species. Electrochemical analyses demonstrate that atomically dispersed Fe sites significantly enhance interfacial electron transfer. Post-reaction characterization indicates the consumption of pyrrolic-N, C=O, and carbon defects as active sites, while graphitic-N and Fe–N structures remain stable, confirming the catalyst's stability. This work provides an economical route to convert coal-tar pitch into high-performance catalytic materials for efficient water treatment, embodying the circular economy concept of waste-to-resource utilization.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606014
Microplastics, as emerging environmental pollutants, can adsorb psychotropic drugs in aquatic environments, facilitating their migration and transformation, ultimately posing ecological risks. This study investigated the adsorption behavior and mechanisms of four common microplastics—polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—each with a particle size of 50 μm, toward three psychoactive drugs: diazepam, fluoxetine, and mianserin. Adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and the effects of pH and salinity were examined. Kinetic data fitted well to a pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. Isotherm analysis using Langmuir and Freundlich models revealed that PE exhibited the highest affinity for fluoxetine, PP for mianserin, and PVC for diazepam, while PS showed linear adsorption for fluoxetine, suggesting partitioning. The adsorption of diazepam was maximal at pH 6.5–8.5, typical of natural surface waters, and increased with NaCl concentration, indicating that non-electrostatic interactions dominate and that higher ionic strength enhances adsorption. Mechanistic insights suggest that hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions (for PS), and halogen bonding (for fluoxetine) contribute to adsorption. These findings highlight the potential of microplastics to act as vectors for psychoactive drugs, necessitating further research on their environmental fate and ecological implications.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60752-9
Methanol steam reforming (MSR) is a pivotal process for efficient hydrogen production. This study employs density functional theory (DFT) calculations to comparatively analyze the MSR reaction mechanism on PdCu(111) and PtCu(111) bimetallic surfaces. The investigation unveils how alloying modulates reaction pathways and overall catalytic performance. Notably, Cu sites stabilize adsorption of OH and CH2O species, whereas Pd/Pt sites exhibit preferential affinity for CO. This spatial site separation facilitates progression along the formate pathway. PdCu(111) demonstrates superior overall catalytic performance compared to PtCu(111), with water dissociation identified as the rate-determining step (RDS), featuring an activation energy of only 0.74 eV. The bimetallic synergy breaks the inherent contradiction between activity and selectivity of monometallic catalysts: Cu sites serve as a source of hydroxyl groups, while Pd/Pt sites enhance C–H bond cleavage efficiency, ultimately enabling high methanol conversion alongside low CO formation. From the perspectives of electronic structure and geometric configuration, this study establishes a theoretical framework to guide rational design of high-performance bimetallic catalysts for MSR.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025042304
To characterize the spatial variability of PM2.5 chemical components at the urban scale, ambient PM2.5 samples were collected from eight sites across Changsha, China. Samples were analyzed using ion chromatography, elemental carbon/organic carbon (EC/OC) analysis, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. Results showed that PM2.5 concentrations in urban areas were significantly higher than in suburban locations, with notably elevated levels at Changsha New Railway Station and Mapoling. Across different PM2.5 pollution levels, the eight sites exhibited pronounced spatial differences in concentration while sharing similar chemical compositions. Source apportionment identified secondary nitrate, vehicle emissions, and secondary sulfate as major contributors to PM2.5. The spatial distribution of these sources varied distinctly: secondary nitrate showed lower contributions in central areas but higher in western and southeastern regions; secondary sulfate was more prominent in the southeast, while vehicle emissions contributed more in the southeast and less in the west. Additionally, aerosol liquid water content promoted the secondary formation of nitrate and sulfate, exacerbating PM2.5 pollution. Secondary organic carbon was elevated in areas with high pedestrian density, suggesting enhanced secondary organic aerosol formation under intensive human activity. The study provides insights for targeted pollution control strategies in Changsha and similar cities.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3489-5
Artificial synaptic devices for neuromorphic computing must reduce energy consumption to approach biological femtojoule levels. This work reports a SiC/SiO2@Ag nanowire network (NWN) device that emulates both ultraviolet visual and electrical synaptic functions under biased electric field and zero-bias photoexcitation. The NWN architecture and Ag nanoparticle-induced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) enable substantial synaptic responses at ultra-low currents. The device achieves energy consumption of 0.471–0.218 pJ per synaptic event, significantly lower than conventional artificial synapses. In a musical classification task using a spiking neural network with hardware-implemented spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), the system reaches >95% accuracy within 20 training epochs, surpassing software-based STDP and backpropagation after 10 epochs. The SiC NWN structure ensures robust synaptic performance and high precision. These results demonstrate a scalable, energy-efficient hardware foundation for neuromorphic music information processing, with potential for spiking neural networks that mimic biological operational principles.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3524-y
The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is indispensable for the initial diagnosis of cardiac conditions, yet existing neuromorphic hardware for multi-lead ECG monitoring requires multiple array circuits and two operational processes, imposing severe constraints on device consistency and diagnostic accuracy. This study introduces a neuromorphic parallel computing hardware architecture based on quantum dot synaptic transistors that leverages trap and surface electric field effects to enable 12-lead ECG monitoring within a single array circuit, eliminating the need for twelve separate circuits. The system concurrently processes multiple ECG signals and produces final outputs without external computing or control circuits. A 12-transistor array, termed STAC, directly processes one-dimensional ECG data without additional conversion circuits, integrating a feature extraction layer at the pixel level and a feature fusion layer at the circuit level. Classification of ECG signals from the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database and the Chinese Twelve-Lead ECG Challenge Database yields a training accuracy exceeding 98%. A five-class ECG signal classification task achieves 96.2% recognition accuracy, with a 5×5 confusion matrix confirming high classification precision across normal (N) and four abnormal categories (A, V, L, R). The architecture accurately detects myocardial infarction by fine-tuning internal weights, demonstrating proficiency in monitoring abnormal ECG signals. This advancement offers a compact, low-cost solution for wearable and portable 12-lead ECG monitoring devices, enabling real-time cardiac assessment with reduced hardware complexity and enhanced diagnostic reliability.