SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4505-9
Transition metal hydroxides are promising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for alkaline water electrolysis. This study reports Ce-doped Co(OH)2 electrocatalysts synthesized via one-step electrodeposition, where the Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio is precisely controlled by deposition temperature. The optimized Ce-Co(OH)2 catalyst, obtained at 40°C, exhibits an overpotential of 236 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and maintains stability for 200 h. In an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE), the Ce-Co(OH)2 anode achieves a cell voltage of 2.04 V at 1 A cm-2 and operates for over 500 h at 500 mA cm-2. Mechanistic analysis reveals that Ce3+/Ce4+ dynamic electron buffering regulates surface reconstruction: during OER, electron transfer direction reverses (Ce → O → Co), with Ce donating electrons to Co sites to prevent over-oxidation and structural collapse. This work establishes a versatile strategy for balancing surface reconstruction and structural stability in Co-based OER catalysts, providing a foundation for designing high-performance, durable alkaline water oxidation electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4202-3
Carbon dots (CDs) with absorption in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 900-1700 nm) hold promise for tumor theranostics, yet existing synthesis methods often involve complex procedures, harsh conditions, or lack precise control. Here we report a 'self-photooxidation-restructuring' strategy that enables structural reorganization of the carbon core in CDs, achieving a significant redshift of absorption into the NIR-II region. Under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, the precursor (B-CDs, absorption in UV region) generates singlet oxygen, which self-oxidizes aldehyde groups and the carbon skeleton of B-CDs to stronger electron-withdrawing carboxyl groups and carbon radicals, respectively. These processes facilitate the formation of new C=C bonds between isolated aromatic domains, thereby transforming B-CDs into novel CDs (N-CDs) characterized by enhanced donor-acceptor interactions and a redshift in absorption toward the NIR-II window. Various experimental data, including high-resolution XPS, FTIR, NMR, EPR, have proved the proposed formation mechanism. The novel N-CDs afforded a high photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 71.33%, which enabled 1064 nm laser-activated photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) in tumors. This work opens a new avenue for the synthesis and modulation of CDs in the NIR-II region.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4237-x
Silicon-based (Si-based) anodes are core candidates for next-generation high-energy solid-state batteries (SSBs) due to their high theoretical capacity (~4200 mAh g−1). However, their practical application is constrained by the 'size effect', which influences mechanical integrity and electrochemical performance. This review systematically examines the failure mechanisms of nano-silicon (nSi) and micro-silicon (mSi) anodes when paired with sulfide and organic-inorganic composite solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Key functional parameters of these SSEs are discussed, along with strategies to mitigate interfacial impedance and accommodate volume changes. Recent progress in structural and interface modifications is highlighted, including the use of hard-carbon-stabilized Li–Si anodes (achieving stable cycling) and pressure-free operation. The review identifies core challenges, such as achieving intimate solid–solid contact and managing mechanical stress, and outlines future directions for 'size effect' regulation to accelerate commercialization of high-energy Si-based SSBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4232-1
Polyanionic cathode materials are widely considered as potential cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries due to their strong three-dimensional framework and intrinsic thermal safety. Nevertheless, the limitation of the specific capacity and energy density hindered their application, which can be ascribed to the common reliance of single-electron redox reaction of the transition metal. By realizing the reversible double redox reaction of vanadium-based and manganese-based polyanion cathodes, researchers have successfully opened up a new way to break through the long-term performance limitations. Recent studies disclose that vanadium and manganese-based polyanionic cathodes exhibit the possibility of realizing a reversible double-redox reaction, which opened up new avenues to overcome the capacity dilemma. However, many fundamental issues remain unclear, including insufficient structural stability at high operating voltages, irreversible structural evolution induced by sodium extraction, sluggish electronic and ionic transport kinetics, and Jahn–Teller distortion. Therefore, it is imperative to summarize recent work in order to clarify the pathway for future investigation. In this review, the key challenges associated with the activation of the double-redox reaction are outlined, followed by the realization and regulation of the double-redox reaction in polyanionic cathode materials. A systematic summary of recent studies is performed for both vanadium and manganese-based compounds, which could contribute to the fundamental understanding of the double-redox reaction mechanism. Combined with the modification strategy and future perspective, this review provides insights into the rational design of polyanionic cathodes with a reversible double-redox reaction. It also offers insights into the development of high-energy-density cathode materials for next-generation sodium-ion batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3629-3
Electrically pumped lasers with reduced physical dimensions are critical for future optical information processing, storage, and photonic integrated circuits. However, electrical injection in perovskite lasers faces challenges including material instability, non-radiative losses, and Joule heating. Here, we demonstrate an ultralow-threshold perovskite microlaser decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), enabling simultaneous optical pumping and current injection at ambient temperature. The lasing threshold is reduced to 8.6 μJ/cm², approximately 44% lower than that of pristine devices (15.3 μJ/cm²). The AuNPs, with optimized size, enhance both lasing performance and electrical properties, achieving a current injection density of 2.98 kA/cm². AuNPs accelerate hot-carrier cooling, reducing non-radiative recombination and mitigating Joule heating. The threshold decreases progressively with increasing electrical assist fraction. Stability tests confirm excellent resistance to aging and humidity, with stable lasing output under co-excitation in ambient air. This work underscores the feasibility of electrically driven perovskite microlasers, offering a pathway toward electrically pumped microlaser diodes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3695-8
Sulfur-based lithium-ion batteries, particularly those employing sulfurized poly(acrylonitrile) (SPAN) cathodes and graphite (Gr) anodes, offer high theoretical capacity and low cost but suffer from temperature-dependent capacity decay. This study systematically investigates the electrochemical dynamics and capacity decay mechanism of SPAN||Gr pouch cells cycled at 25–55 °C. Multiscale analyses reveal that capacity fade arises from active lithium loss and increased resistance, both accelerated by higher temperatures. Active lithium loss is primarily attributed to dead lithium formation and thickening of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI), while resistance increase is predominantly due to SEI/CEI thickening. As temperature rises, active lithium loss becomes the dominant decay factor. Leveraging the consistent decay mechanism across temperatures, an accelerated aging model based on the Arrhenius equation is developed: y = 0.9x + a. This model accurately predicts cycling parameters at specific temperatures and reduces testing time by 50% when extrapolating from 55 °C to 25 °C. These insights provide critical guidance for developing long-life sulfur-based batteries for practical energy storage applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3586-7
Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, with endovascular stent intervention emerging as a key therapeutic strategy. Biodegradable Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy (ZE21B) offers promising mechanical properties and biocompatibility for vascular scaffolds, yet suffers from inadequate corrosion resistance, insufficient endothelialization, and impaired blood-brain barrier remodeling. This study develops a composite coating comprising barnacle cement protein cp19k and sulfonated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (NP@S-HA) applied via electrostatic spraying onto ZE21B. The cp19k/NP@S-HA coating enhances corrosion resistance by approximately 40.6% relative to uncoated ZE21B, as determined by electrochemical and static immersion tests. In vitro blood and cellular assays demonstrate that the coating promotes endothelial cell proliferation and migration, inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation while regulating contractile phenotype, suppresses macrophage adherence and induces M2 polarization, reduces TNF-α expression, and mitigates fibroplasia. These findings indicate that the cp19k/NP@S-HA composite coating provides an effective surface modification strategy for biodegradable magnesium alloys in cerebrovascular applications, potentially improving stent performance and patient outcomes.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61071-2
Aqueous zinc-ion capacitors (ZICs) are promising energy storage systems due to their high specific capacity and superior reliability. Heteroatom-doped carbon materials have been shown to substantially increase the capacitance of ZICs, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this work, coal-based activated carbon was functionalized with both boron (B) and nitrogen (N) to serve as the cathode material in ZICs. The optimized material, designated CAC-120, exhibits a high specific capacity of 371.4 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 and retains 74% of its initial capacity after 10,000 cycles. Electrochemical analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that pyridinic N plays a crucial role in enhancing Zn2+ storage, demonstrating superior electrochemical reversibility. Furthermore, an assembled aqueous ZIC using the CAC-120 cathode achieves a high reversible capacity of 90.8 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and exceptional long-term stability over 17,000 cycles. This work provides valuable insight into the design of high-capacity and ultrafast pseudocapacitive carbon cathodes for ZICs, highlighting the synergistic effects of pore structure engineering and heteroatom doping.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3919-0
Nuclear energy is critical for sustainable economic development and achieving carbon neutrality. With only about 6.14 million tons of terrestrial uranium, sufficient for ~70 years of global nuclear power plant operation, the recovery of uranium from seawater and spent fuel is essential for long-term nuclear fuel supply. The ocean contains approximately 4.5 billion tons of uranium, which could sustain nuclear power for ~2000 years if efficiently extracted. However, seawater uranium extraction faces significant challenges due to the extremely low uranium concentration (~3.3 ppb), high concentrations of competing ions, natural organic matter, and marine biofouling. This perspective reviews representative laboratory advances, including sulfonated covalent organic frameworks (S-COF) achieving a sorption capacity of 31.5 mg/(g·day) with high selectivity, amidoxime-based organic cages with a capacity of 11.97 mg/g over 30 days, and a micro-redox reactor strategy that continuously regenerates binding sites. Electrochemical methods have also shown promise for converting soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV) oxides. Despite these advances, the transition from laboratory powders to durable marine materials remains problematic. Key gaps include the need for antibacterial properties, mechanical stability under wave action, cost competitiveness with terrestrial mining, and environmental safety of nanomaterials. Artificial intelligence (AI) is proposed to accelerate the design of high-performance, stable materials. This perspective emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary research to bridge the gap between bench-scale innovations and practical ocean deployment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3815-0
The development of bifunctional electrocatalysts capable of integrating biomass-derived platform molecule oxidation with organic reduction offers a promising strategy for simultaneously enhancing energy efficiency and generating high-value chemicals. However, designing catalysts that exhibit both high activity and stability in integrated systems remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a self-supported electrode composed of nitrogen-doped carbonized wood (NCW) supported NiCo nanosheets (NiCo 0.3/NCW) that enables the electrocatalytic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and the nitrobenzene reduction to yield aniline in an integrated electrochemical cell. The NiCo 0.3/NCW electrode achieves the production of FDCA and aniline at a low cell voltage of 1.7 V, with ~99% anodic and ~92% cathodic Faradaic efficiencies, respectively. Experimental characterizations disclose that the hierarchical porous NCW architecture promotes the dispersion of active sites, while nitrogen doping strengthens metal–support interactions. In-situ spectroscopic experiments combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that cobalt incorporation tunes the electronic structure of nickel, thus optimizing substrate and intermediate adsorption, and lowering energy barriers. These effects ultimately enhance the performance of the natural wood-derived catalyst in integrated biomass valorization and selective organic electrosynthesis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3730-3
Water scarcity, exacerbated by organic micropollutant contamination and climate change, necessitates energy-efficient, eco-friendly purification technologies. Membrane separation has emerged as a transformative solution, outperforming energy-intensive processes such as distillation. Traditional chemical separations, dominated by distillation, consume 10%–15% of global energy, whereas advanced membrane technologies can reduce energy use by up to 90%. However, membrane separation is hampered by reliance on toxic petrochemical feedstocks and persistent microplastic pollution from nonbiodegradable end-of-life membranes. Shao's group addresses both gaps with a sustainable nanofiltration membrane (SNFM) crafted entirely from low-hazard, renewable components. The substrate polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polyester derived from corn starch, is processed via modified nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) to form a porous yet strong support. For the selective layer, toxic aromatic monomers are replaced with xylitol (a plant sugar alcohol) and dopamine (DA, a biogenic amine), and green solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide are used to avoid volatile organic compound emissions. Compared with commercial alternatives, this design yields a membrane with exceptional dual functionality: it maintains high separation performance (928% greater permeance, 92% bisphenol A rejection, and 89% Na2SO4 rejection) and low fouling (protein adsorption ≤12 μg cm−2) over 30 days. A life cycle assessment reveals a 62% reduction in carbon footprint compared with petrochemical-based membranes, whereas soil biodegradation tests confirm 90% breakdown within 6 months, driven by Delftia and Tissierella microbes. By eliminating microplastic waste and toxic inputs, this SNFM bridges the divide between performance and environmental responsibility, offering a scalable blueprint for next-generation green membranes in water treatment and beyond.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506081
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are promising for degrading organic pollutants in water treatment. Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) has gained attention due to its high oxidation efficiency, strong interference resistance, and low secondary pollution. In this study, a series of trimetallic-carbon composite ozone catalysts were prepared via an organic precursor calcination method using γ-Al2O3 as support. This method enhanced catalytic activity and mechanical strength while overcoming the limitations of carbon materials (low mechanical strength) and metal-based materials (poor mass transfer). The optimized catalyst, CA-FeCoCu, comprising Fe, Co, Cu, carbon, and alumina, exhibited excellent performance in phenol degradation and real industrial wastewater treatment. Characterization revealed that the synergistic effect of trimetals and the introduction of multiple carbon types increased specific surface area and hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation. In a pilot-scale fixed-bed reactor, the CA-FeCoCu/O3 system reduced COD from 120 mg·L−1 to below 40 mg·L−1, with an O3 consumption ratio (O/C) of less than 1, effectively lowering operational costs. This work provides a new strategy for developing efficient and stable heterogeneous O3 catalysts and offers a reference for the practical application of HCO in industrial wastewater treatment.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507051
This study investigated the dynamic characteristics and recovery of ammonia emissions from a growing-finishing pig house in Yanshi District, Luoyang City, Henan Province, China. High-sensitivity electrochemical sensors and an ammonia absorption recovery device were employed for continuous monitoring and treatment of exhaust air. The results revealed periodic fluctuations in ammonia emission concentrations, strongly correlated with indoor temperature and humidity. Over the entire monitoring period, the average daily ammonia concentration in exhaust air was 9.852 mg·m−3, below the national emission limit of 25 mg·m−3. However, during high-temperature periods (>30 °C), localized concentrations reached 38.36 mg·m−3. Humidity, particularly from spray cooling, temporarily suppressed ammonia volatilization, but its effect was modulated by temperature. Total ammonia emitted during the study was 1380.4 kg, with an average per-pig emission rate of 0.034 kg·d−1. After treatment with the exhaust gas absorption device, the average daily ammonia concentration dropped to 0.437 mg·m−3, achieving a mean recovery efficiency of 93.5%. These findings demonstrate that controlling environmental factors and employing external air absorption devices can significantly reduce ammonia emissions, offering a viable pathway for mitigating nitrogen pollution from livestock operations and promoting resource recovery.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510028
This study investigates the aging mechanism of polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs) induced by ultraviolet (UV)-activated potassium persulfate (KPS) and its influence on the adsorption of norfloxacin (NOR). Results show that aged PS exhibited yellowing, increased surface roughness and specific surface area, enhanced oxygen-containing functional groups, and elevated negative surface charge, along with the generation of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs). Compared with UV alone, UV+KPS induced more pronounced aging due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide radicals (O2·−). Adsorption kinetics and isotherm data revealed that UV+KPS-aged PS significantly enhanced NOR adsorption, with a maximum adsorption capacity of (2.539±0.032) mg·g−1, which was 4.20 times higher than that of pristine PS. The adsorption mechanism was governed by hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and pore filling. Solution pH modulated the electrostatic interactions by affecting NOR speciation and PS surface charge, thereby influencing NOR adsorption. This study systematically reveals the accelerated aging of coexisting MPs and EPFRs generation during UV+KPS treatment, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of MPs environmental behavior and potential ecological risks.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025021602
Iron-based catalysts are widely used in water pollution treatment due to their high stability and redox capabilities. However, conventional single-component iron-based catalytic systems face challenges such as slow reaction kinetics and low efficiency in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) during organic pollutant degradation. In this study, three electroactive bacteria (Bacillus megaterium, Lactococcus lactis, and Shewanella putrefaciens) were selected to interact with nano-Fe3O4 to construct bacterial/Fe3O4 hybrid materials, accelerating the degradation of gallic acid. The results showed that bacterial interaction with Fe3O4 facilitated rapid electron transfer, enhancing gallic acid degradation. The bacterial/Fe3O4 hybrid materials exhibited significantly higher gallic acid degradation rates compared to Fe3O4 alone. This improvement was mainly attributed to the ability of electroactive bacteria to promote the formation of oxygen vacancies (OVs) on the Fe3O4 surface, accelerating electron transfer and subsequently enhancing the generation of ROS, including hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, and singlet oxygen. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship between OVs and ROS generation, with hydroxyl radicals showing the highest correlation with the gallic acid degradation rate constant (r = 0.98), indicating its dominant role in gallic acid degradation; the hydroxyl radicals quenching experiment also verified its dominant role. Additionally, due to the temperature sensitivity of bacteria, the degradation rate of gallic acid reached its peak in the temperature range of 30–40 °C. This study reveals the mechanism by which electroactive bacteria enhance the catalytic activity of Fe3O4, providing a new strategy for its application in advanced oxidation technology for water pollution treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025022502
The design of stable and efficient O3 catalysts is critical for advancing heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) in industrial wastewater treatment. In this study, various iron-based bimetallic oxides were synthesized, and Fe-Co bimetallic oxide (FeCo-O) was identified as the optimal catalyst through degradation experiments and structural characterization. FeCo-O exhibits a single spinel structure with abundant metal valence states and synergistic effects between Fe and Co. Compared to conventional O3 oxidation, the FeCo-O/O3 system enhanced organic pollutant degradation by 2–3 times, demonstrating broad applicability under neutral or weakly acidic/alkaline conditions. Characterization revealed that FeCo-O promotes O3 activation via enhanced inter-metal electron transfer on the catalyst surface, increasing the generation of highly oxidative free radicals (·OH, ·O2−) and thereby improving pollutant degradation efficiency. In treating real industrial wastewater, the FeCo-O/O3 system achieved excellent COD removal, indicating its potential for both pre-treatment and advanced treatment applications. This study provides theoretical and practical guidance for designing efficient catalytic ozonation catalysts.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606012
River and lake sediments, as both sources and sinks of water pollutants, significantly impact overlying water quality and aquatic ecosystems. In pollution treatment and ecological restoration, managing contaminated sediments is critical. Remediation technologies are categorized into ex-situ and in-situ methods; in-situ techniques have gained prominence due to lower costs and minimal environmental disturbance. This review summarizes sediment pollution status, comprehensively examines physical, chemical, biological, and combined in-situ remediation technologies, and discusses their mechanisms, applications, and future research needs. It proposes optimization strategies for emerging technologies, material improvements, and pathways for sustainable development, emphasizing interdisciplinary integration to enhance remediation efficacy. Key pollutants include heavy metals (e.g., Cd, Hg), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and emerging contaminants like antibiotics and microplastics. In-situ methods such as capping, chemical oxidation, and bioremediation show promise but face challenges in long-term stability and scalability. The paper underscores the need for sustainable, cost-effective solutions and highlights recent advances in combined technologies, offering a reference for future research and engineering applications.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511076
This study investigated the altitudinal distribution and enrichment characteristics of heavy metals in the soil-plant system of the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa on the Tibetan Plateau. Soil and dominant plant samples were collected from three sites along an elevation gradient from 3,650 to 4,150 m, and concentrations of Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, As, and Pb were analyzed. Soil heavy metal concentrations ranged from 0.06 to 184.4 mg·kg−1, with all elements except Cd and Pb exceeding local background values. Plant heavy metal concentrations were within normal ranges, indicating no obvious stress. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between soil Zn and Cd, Cr and Ni, and plant Zn and Cu. Except for Cr, Cu, and Cd, plant and soil concentrations of the same element were significantly correlated. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) analysis showed that most plants had weak enrichment capacity (BCF < 1), but five species, including Ephedra sinica and Rheum likiangense, exhibited BCF > 1 for Cd, with R. likiangense showing the highest BCF of 4.01. The enrichment capacity varied with altitude and species. Potential ecological risk assessment indicated that Cd posed a relatively high risk in plants, warranting attention. This study fills a gap in understanding the spatial distribution and enrichment of heavy metals in this region, providing a scientific basis for ecological management and environmental protection.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025040102
Calcium peroxide (CaO2) with a rich porous structure was synthesized via chemical precipitation for efficient fluoride removal from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized by SEM, BET, LPSA, and XRD, revealing a mesoporous material with a total pore volume of 0.51 cm3·g−1. Batch experiments investigated the effects of adsorbent dosage, initial fluoride concentration, reaction time, pH, and coexisting anions. Adsorption kinetics followed a fractal-like pseudo-first-order model, with intraparticle diffusion as the rate-limiting step. Equilibrium data were well described by the Sips isotherm, predicting a maximum adsorption capacity of 479.8 mg·g−1. Site energy distribution analysis indicated a normal distribution with an average energy of 13.36 kJ·mol−1. Mechanistic studies using FTIR and XPS revealed that fluoride removal proceeds via surface precipitation, ligand exchange, and electrostatic attraction. The high density of active sites contributes to the exceptional defluoridation performance, positioning CaO2 as a promising adsorbent for fluoride-contaminated water treatment.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512066
This study addresses the removal of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from real coal chemical wastewater via electrochemical chlorine evolution. A nanorod-structured ruthenium dioxide catalyst (N-RuO2) was synthesized by modifying ruthenium trichloride precursor with ammonium chloride. Compared with unmodified RuO2, commercial DSA, and commercial RuO2 (Com-RuO2), N-RuO2 exhibited significantly enhanced electrochemical performance: Faradaic efficiency for chlorine evolution increased by 12.9%, 18.5%, and 25.6%, respectively; accelerated lifetime improved by 1.7, 1.9, and 2.9 times, respectively. In treating real coal chemical wastewater, N-RuO2 reduced NH4+-N to 86.4 mg·L−1 and COD to 72 mg·L−1, with degradation rate constants approximately 2.08 and 1.46 times higher than Com-RuO2, while energy consumption decreased by 17.7 Wh·g−1 and 1.5 Wh·g−1, respectively. Further studies showed that increasing chloride ion concentration enhanced removal rates and reduced energy consumption; higher current density accelerated removal but increased energy use; alkaline conditions favored NH4+-N removal, while neutral conditions favored COD removal. The excellent electrochemical performance of RuO2 nanorods indicates broad application prospects in practical water treatment.
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.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4063-2
Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are emerging as a leader in next-generation display technology. In principle, the efficiency of QLEDs is highly reliant on the radiative recombination rate of injected electrons and holes in the QD emissive layer. Within a solitary light-emitting cycle, a pre-negative-charged QD bursts into a fleeting sparkle upon encountering a hole, much like a lighted piston within a roaring engine. More pistons bring higher horsepower. The challenge of achieving highly efficient QLED lies in how to increase the number of pre-negatively charged QDs. To address these limitations, we developed a ZnO@ZnMgO core-shell nanoparticle (NP)-based electron transport layer (ETL). This design synergistically combines the high conductivity of ZnO core and the low defect density of the ZnMgO shell. Measured by electron-excited transient absorption, the average electron population (<N_e>) in the emissive layer for ZnO@ZnMgO and ZnMgO-based QLEDs was 0.61 and 0.33 at 4 V, respectively, which greatly increases the carrier recombination efficiency. As a result, green QLEDs achieve a peak EQE of 30.66%, maximum luminance of 1,615,039.85 cd/m2, and a low turn-on voltage of approximately 2 V. The T95 operational lifetime exceeded 29,000 h at 1,000 cd/m2. Currently, all parameters are at the top level within the QLED region.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60681-0
The escalation of global warming and climate change necessitates the development of clean energy carriers. Hydrogen, with a high combustion value of 120 MJ/kg and net-zero carbon emissions, is a promising alternative. Catalytic methane pyrolysis offers a route to produce high-purity hydrogen and functional carbon materials simultaneously. However, challenges persist in catalyst deactivation due to carbon deposition and the efficient separation and valorization of carbon byproducts. This review systematically examines recent progress in solid and molten-medium catalysts for methane pyrolysis. It highlights strategies to enhance catalyst stability, including precise control of active sites, alloying, support optimization, and tuning the carbon-catalyst interface. The introduction of molten media catalytic systems, which feature dynamically refreshed gas-liquid interfaces, can fundamentally mitigate deactivation and facilitate continuous carbon separation. The paper discusses reaction mechanisms, catalytic performance, and control of carbon morphology, along with strategies for efficient separation and purification of carbon products in molten media. High-value applications of the produced carbon materials are also explored. The review underscores the potential of methane pyrolysis as a low-carbon technology for hydrogen production, while identifying key research directions for industrial scalability.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4074-6
Achieving carbon neutralization relies heavily on green hydrogen and electrochemical carbon-nitrogen cycles. However, the complexity of these systems and the cost of traditional Edisonian trial-and-error methods hinder rapid progress. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool, enabling high-throughput data processing and dynamic adaptation. This review surveys the landscape of AI-driven electrochemistry, bridging the gap from atomic-scale design to industrial-scale implementation. Specifically, we focus on three areas: atomic structure-function decoding, fully automated “self-driving” laboratories, and macro-scale simulations for device durability. Furthermore, we elucidate the critical challenges in integrating AI with materials science. By mapping current trends and future directions, this work aims to unlock the full transformative potential of AI in next-generation energy storage and conversion.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4334-9
Piezoelectric materials underpin modern electromechanical energy conversion, serving as critical components in sensors, actuators, and energy harvesters. Their performance is intrinsically governed by the piezoelectric coefficient, yet optimizing this property remains challenging due to the profound influence of diverse microscopic structures. This review systematically examines three fundamental crystalline architectures—perovskite, wurtzite, and fluorite—and critically analyzes performance optimization strategies tailored to each structure. We explore five principal modification approaches: defect engineering, elemental doping, heterostructure film fabrication, composite film design, and buffer layer incorporation, with emphasis on the underlying physical mechanisms that drive property enhancements. By providing a cross-structural comparison, this review establishes clear structure–property relationships, offering a foundational guide for material selection and design. Furthermore, we highlight the implications of these advanced materials for next-generation applications in energy harvesting and smart devices. Finally, we present a forward-looking roadmap, outlining emerging research directions and addressing key technical challenges to guide the development of next-generation high-performance piezoelectric materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4103-8
The industrial production of urea through the integrated Haber–Bosch and Bosch–Meiser processes involves high energy consumption and significant CO2 emissions. Given the persistent technical challenges inherent in direct electrocatalytic methods, catalytic systems that enable the thermal coupling of N2 and CO2 under mild conditions represent a promising and sustainable approach to urea synthesis. Herein, we designed MXene-based bimetallic single-cluster catalysts, M1Ru3@Mo2CO2, in which the M1Ru3 cluster is stably anchored on the Mo2CO2 support. Using density functional theory calculations, we systematically evaluated the structural stability and adsorption capabilities of 3d transition metal variants (M = Sc to Zn) toward N2, CO2, and H2. The results demonstrate that Co1Ru3@Mo2CO2 exhibits excellent thermodynamic stability and enables the synergistic activation of N2, CO2, and H2, fulfilling the prerequisite conditions for catalyzing the direct coupling of N2 and CO2 to form urea. Further analysis reveals that Co1Ru3@Mo2CO2 efficiently promotes the direct thermal coupling of N–C into urea under mild conditions via the associative pathway, with the rate-determining step corresponding to the conversion of *NHNH2 → *NH2NH2 with the low energy barrier of 1.16 eV. Under realistic conditions of 780 K and 29 bar, the calculated turnover frequency reaches 1.01 × 10−3 s−1 site−1. The high catalytic performance arises from the ability of the Co1Ru3 bimetallic cluster to precisely modulate charge transfer between support and reaction intermediates. Moreover, the in situ generated NH2 species acts as an autocatalyst for CO2 hydrogenation, while the cluster selectively enhances the electrophilicity of the *CO intermediate, thereby facilitating the nucleophilic attack by *NH2 and ensuring efficient C–N bond formation. The finding of the outstanding performance of Co1Ru3@Mo2CO2 single cluster catalysts could bypass the energy-intensive NH3 synthesis step, reduce overall energy demand, and remain compatible with existing urea production infrastructure, thereby offering significant scientific and technological significance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4169-9
Transition metal fluorides (TMFs) are promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity and energy density, yet their practical application is hindered by low utilization rates stemming from particle sizes exceeding the effective Li+ transport distance (<20 nm). This work introduces a multiphase metal fluoride composite (MMFC) synthesized via a hydrothermal method, leveraging high-entropy concepts and interface engineering to enhance electrochemical performance. The MMFC, after annealing at 400°C (MMFC-400), exhibits high specific capacity, excellent rate capability, and cycling stability. The multiphase interfaces accelerate Li+ migration kinetics and provide additional active sites, addressing the limitations of conventional TMF cathodes. This study proposes a multiphase interfacial energy storage strategy for advanced TMF cathodes, offering a pathway to high-performance LIBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3548-9
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is constrained by the absence of tumor selectivity in conventional photosensitizers (PSs), which produces phototoxicity in normal tissues and risks activation by ambient light. Covalent conjugation of PSs to targeting peptides improves accumulation but does not suppress off-target activation. This work reports B-HCPP-RGD, a single-molecule PS that integrates αVβ3 integrin targeting with dual responsiveness to H2O2 and cathepsin B. The hypocrellin-derived type I PS HCEA is masked by a 4-(bromomethyl)phenylboronic acid pinacol ester H2O2-responsive group and conjugated to cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (cRGD) through a cathepsin B-cleavable Gln-Val dipeptide linker. ROS generation in solution is effectively suppressed until both H2O2 and cathepsin B are present, at which point HCEA is released. In vitro, B-HCPP-RGD shows negligible phototoxicity toward normal cells and pronounced phototoxicity toward tumor cells, including under hypoxic conditions. In vivo, the conjugate actively targets tumor tissue and achieves a high tumor inhibition rate with favorable biosafety. The results establish a modular design for dual-responsive, tumor-targeted PSs that improves the precision and safety of PDT.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3476-4
Ammonia synthesis remains dominated by the Haber-Bosch process, which operates at 400–500 °C and 150–300 bar, consumes 1–2% of global energy, and emits ~1.4% of global CO2. Ru-based catalysts supported on carbon and promoted with basic oxides (Ba, Cs, La) exhibit high activity under mild conditions, but conventional designs suffer from a trade-off: BaO domains block Ru active sites while attempting to donate electrons. Lee et al. (Nat Catal, 2025, 8: 248–256) resolved this by using conductive carbon to bridge isolated Ru and BaO domains, enabling long-range H+/e− pair migration. Screening eleven carbon supports, they identified N-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (10–20 nm diameter, N-MWNT-1) with the lowest work function as optimal. At a Ba/Ru molar ratio of 0.75, the catalyst achieved an NH3 production rate 7.4 times higher than conventional BaO-promoted Ru catalysts under 573 K and 1.0 MPa, using high-purity H2 and N2 (99.999%, O2 <0.4 ppm, H2O <0.7 ppm). This design decouples proton and electron storage, preventing BaO-induced blockage of Ru surfaces and enabling superior activity and stability. The Ba-Ru/carbon catalyst offers a transformative pathway for reducing energy consumption and integrating with electrolytic hydrogen production in industrial ammonia synthesis.