SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4235-6
Fluorite-structured oxides (HfO2, ZrO2) are promising for resistive random-access memory (RRAM) due to their scalability and tunable properties. However, achieving high resistive switching on/off ratios remains challenging. Here, we report a collaborative strategy combining Hf/Zr ratio optimization and Lu3+ doping to regulate band structure and oxygen vacancy concentration in Hf0.4Zr0.6O2 (LHZO) thin films. The resulting LHZO devices exhibit a resistive switching ratio of 8.4 × 10^4, two orders of magnitude higher than that of ZrO2 (1.2 × 10^3). Electrical characterization and synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy reveal that Lu doping widens the bandgap to 4.95 eV, downshifts the valence band, and introduces defect states, collectively suppressing p-type conductivity and reducing off-state leakage current. Simultaneously, Lu3+ doping enriches oxygen vacancies, stabilizing ohmic conductive filaments in the on-state. This co-optimization of band structure and oxygen vacancies effectively enhances insulating properties in the high-resistance state and ohmic conductivity in the low-resistance state, leading to superior resistive switching performance with robust retention (>10^4 s). Our findings establish a fundamental strategy for tailoring electronic properties of doped HfZrO2 thin films toward high-performance RRAM applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4277-1
Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials hold promise for next-generation spintronics, yet most exhibit Curie temperatures (Tc) far below room temperature, limiting practical applications. Here, we report the realization of room-temperature ferromagnetism in CuCrSe2 nanosheets via controlled anion removal achieved by post-synthetic vacuum annealing. Raw CuCrSe2 shows a low Tc of ~120 K, whereas annealed CuCrSe2 (A-CuCrSe2) nanosheets exhibit robust ferromagnetic ordering above 300 K. Structural and compositional analyses, including transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, confirm that A-CuCrSe2 retains the original layered crystal structure with an estimated Se vacancy concentration of approximately 10%. Magnetic measurements reveal room-temperature ferromagnetism in exfoliated nanosheets, corroborated by magnetic imaging and electric transport measurements. Anomalous Hall effect (AHE) measurements uncover the coexistence of two ferromagnetic phases within the same sample: one with low Tc (~120 K) and another with high Tc (>300 K), indicating spatially heterogeneous magnetic ordering driven by anion removal distribution. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate the microscopic mechanism, suggesting that Se vacancies modulate the magnetic exchange interactions, enhancing Tc. This work demonstrates that anion modulation is an effective intrinsic strategy to achieve room-temperature ferromagnetism in 2D materials, potentially advancing spintronic applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3679-8
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. Dysregulated macrophage polarization drives fibroblast activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), yet no effective management exists. Here, we develop an inhalable methane nanocapsule (MNC) that spatiotemporally controls methane release in the lung to remodel the fibrogenic microenvironment. MNC is formulated via self-assembly of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) and a novel acid-responsive methane prodrug Fe(BPY)2(CH3)2, enhancing mucosal penetration and sustained methane release in acidic inflammatory niches. In a bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis model, MNC inhalation achieves efficient lung deposition and sustained methane release, significantly reducing inflammation, ameliorating fibrosis, and improving lung function without systemic side effects. Mechanistically, MNC rebalances macrophage polarization by inhibiting M2 phenotype overexpression and downregulates the MMP9/TIMP-1 ratio to suppress myofibroblast proliferation and EMT, synergistically halting fibrotic progression. This inhalable methane nanocapsule offers a promising strategy for safe and effective IPF treatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3681-6
Brominated butyl rubber (BIIR) is widely used in tires and biomedical products due to its excellent elasticity and gas barrier properties, but recycling end-of-life BIIR remains challenging because of its covalent cross-linked network. Here, we report a direct upcycling strategy for unmodified waste BIIR via nanoparticle-mediated interfacial crosslinking, avoiding chemical modification or degradation of the polymer structure. Pyridyl-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO2-Py) were synthesized and used to crosslink bromine atoms in waste BIIR with those of fresh BIIR, reconstructing the crosslink network without altering the original sulfur-vulcanization network. The resulting composites exhibit a dual interpenetrating network comprising the sulfur-vulcanized network and a bromine-pyridinium crosslinked silica-rich network, providing exceptional strength and toughness. Using discarded bicycle inner tubes as waste BIIR source, the upcycled composites achieved a tensile strength of ~14 MPa, toughness of ~60 MJ m−3, and ultra-low air permeability of 8.78×10−15 cm3 cm/(cm2 s Pa), significantly outperforming the original inner tube material. This work presents a scalable and effective solution for BIIR waste recycling, advancing sustainable development in the rubber industry.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3887-6
The proliferation of 5G/6G communications and radar systems has intensified electromagnetic wave (EMW) leakage, interference, and thermal management challenges. This study presents a 3D MXene sponge/NiFe@NC heterostructure with tunable pore architecture, fabricated by pyrolyzing a polyurethane (PU) foam template uniformly coated with NiFe-decorated Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets. The resulting porous dielectric-magnetic network integrates interconnected MXene pathways with uniformly dispersed NiFe@NC nanoparticles, enabling synergistic dielectric-magnetic loss via conduction loss, dipole/interface polarization, and magnetic loss. Precise pore structure design enhances impedance matching and promotes multi-scattering and internal reflection of EMWs. An 'EMW-pore matching' mechanism is proposed, where pore size governs impedance matching at specific frequencies, enabling tunable absorption performance. The optimized absorber achieves a reflection loss (RL) of -67.84 dB, while radar cross-section (RCS) simulations confirm exceptional attenuation and stealth potential. Additionally, the 3D skeleton derived from PU foam confers remarkable thermal resistance and flame retardancy. This pore-regulation strategy provides a scalable route to designing lightweight, broadband, and thermally stable EMW absorbers for next-generation communication and stealth applications.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606016
Barium slag, a solid waste from barium salt production, poses environmental risks due to high sulfur and soluble barium content. This study investigated the desulfurization of barium slag using sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) as a precipitating agent. The effects of reaction temperature, time, and Na2CO3 concentration on desulfurization efficiency were systematically evaluated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were employed to analyze phase transformations and microstructural evolution. Results showed that desulfurization primarily proceeds via the reaction of ettringite (Ca6(Al(OH)6)2(SO4)3·26H2O) with Na2CO3, forming calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitates. However, the precipitated CaCO3 accumulates on ettringite surfaces, hindering further reaction. Under optimal conditions (60 °C, 5 h, 2 mol/L Na2CO3), the desulfurization efficiency reached 91.21%, reducing sulfur content in the slag to 0.27%, meeting the HJ 662—2013 standard for cement kiln co-processing. This work provides a mechanistic basis for efficient and environmentally sound treatment of barium slag, supporting its resource utilization in cement production.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3840-3
Tactile sensing for dexterous robotic hands is essential for achieving human-like precision in manipulation. However, current tactile sensors face challenges such as insufficient durability, limited coverage, and poor conformability to curved, jointed surfaces. This study presents a stretchable distributed tactile sensor array designed for dexterous robotic hands. The array comprises 18 sensing units distributed across the hand, incorporating quasi-homogeneous functional layers interconnected by crosslinked interpenetrating networks, and composite electrodes combining high conductivity with stretchability. This design yields a thin, soft, transparent, and stretchable sensor array that integrates seamlessly with a commercial dexterous hand. The sensor array exhibits high interlayer tensile strength, high sensitivity, low hysteresis, and excellent long-term reliability over 10,000 loading cycles. Experimental results demonstrate accurate detection of tactile force across the entire robotic hand during object grasping. Using convolutional neural network algorithms, the sensor array identifies different object types with 90.1% accuracy, with results displayed in real time on a digital twin interface. The proposed sensor array holds significant potential for embodied intelligence and robotics in adaptive grasping, safe manipulation, and remote teleoperation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3869-7
Iontronic capacitive pressure sensors (ICPSs) are pivotal for wearable technology, yet their performance is constrained by an inherent trade-off between sensitivity and detection range. Here, we introduce a micro-electric double layer (micro-EDL) engineering strategy to overcome this limitation. This is realized through a nanocomposite dielectric where multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) form a percolated network, generating a dense array of pressure-responsive nano-capacitors. Synergistically integrating a hierarchical MoS2/NiCo-LDH electrode provides abundant pseudocapacitive interfaces. The resulting sensor exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity of 67,095 kPa−1 at 1 kHz, a broad detection range up to 1.3 MPa, rapid response and recovery times of 4 ms and 5 ms, respectively, and outstanding durability exceeding 18,000 cycles. Practical validation demonstrates 100% classification accuracy in recognizing complex gestures and gait patterns, underscoring its real-world applicability. These findings establish micro-EDL engineering as a promising route for advancing next-generation iontronic devices, offering insights into their electrochemical mechanisms.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3988-6
Starvation therapy (ST) aims to hinder the rapid proliferation of cancer cells by depriving oxygen and nutrients, and has been considered an ideal approach for cancer treatment. However, traditional ST schemes suffer from low targeting efficacy, undesired systemic side effects, elevated tumor hypoxia, induced drug resistance, and increased tumor metastasis risk, limiting clinical applications. To overcome these challenges, numerous nanomedicines have been engineered to advance ST-driven anti-tumor therapy. This review highlights emerging breakthroughs at the intersection of ST, nanotechnology, and cancer treatment. It focuses on ST-related inducible strategies, including nutrient supply regulation, key nutrient deprivation, and emerging approaches. Furthermore, it underscores the synergistic benefits of combining ST with other therapeutic modalities such as phototherapy, chemodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, ferroptosis, gas therapy, and immune therapy. Finally, existing challenges and future perspectives on clinical ST of tumors are discussed.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3853-y
High-colour-purity light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are essential for next-generation wide-colour-gamut displays and emerging photonic technologies. While narrow-band blue emitters with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) have been developed via para-positioned boron and nitrogen doping, extending emission to pure violet (<400 nm) remains challenging. Here, we highlight a breakthrough by Song and coworkers (Nature Synthesis, 2024) who synthesized oxygen-doped carbon quantum rings (OD-CQRs) via a one-step solid-state reaction between 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and anhydrous SnCl2 at 180 °C. High-resolution STM at 4.7 K revealed a planar hexagonal ring structure (diameter 18.8 Å) with alternating benzene and oxygen-containing five-membered heterocycles. The OD-CQRs exhibit pure-violet emission centered at 393 nm with an ultranarrow full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 18 nm and an exceptional PLQY of 95%—the best combination among carbon-based luminescent materials. The innovative O-π confinement strategy restricts π-electron delocalization and suppresses non-radiative vibrational relaxation, as confirmed by DFT, localized orbital locator (LOL), and nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) analyses. The root mean square displacement between ground and excited states is only 0.0 Å, indicating minimal structural reorganization. This work provides a simple, scalable route to high-performance violet emitters, addressing a critical bottleneck in display and photonic technologies.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511054
A novel S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst, Bi6O5(OH)3(NO3)5·3H2O/BiOBr0.8I0.2 (BON@BI), was synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method using Bi6O5(OH)3(NO3)5·3H2O (BON), KBr, and KI as precursors. The mass ratio of BON to BiOBr0.8I0.2 (BI) was optimized, revealing that the 20% BON@BI composite (BON@BIOPT) exhibited the highest visible-light photocatalytic activity. Under 30 min of visible-light irradiation, BON@BIOPT achieved a 99.8% degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B (RhB), approximately twice that of pristine BI (52.2%). The composite displayed a rod-like morphology with uniform nanosheets, and its specific surface area increased from 32.54 m²·g⁻¹ (BI) to 44.7 m²·g⁻¹. The absorption edge red-shifted from 560 nm (BI) to 580 nm, narrowing the bandgap from 2.55 eV to 2.43 eV. The S-scheme heterojunction formed between BON and BI generates an internal electric field that effectively suppresses recombination of strongly reducing photogenerated electrons and strongly oxidizing holes, with superoxide radicals (O₂•⁻) and holes (h⁺) identified as the primary reactive species. BON@BIOPT exhibited excellent stability, retaining 88.6% degradation efficiency after seven consecutive cycles. It also demonstrated robust environmental adaptability, maintaining 85–98% degradation efficiency under various pH conditions and in the presence of interfering anions. The degradation pathway of RhB involves N-de-ethylation, cleavage of the conjugated chromophore, and deamination, ultimately mineralizing into low-molecular-weight organics, inorganic salts, CO₂, and H₂O. These results underscore the potential of BON@BIOPT for practical remediation of organic pollutants in water.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4118-0
Polymer composite dielectrics are key materials for high-temperature film capacitors, yet their energy storage capability is severely constrained at elevated temperatures. Molecular fillers that simultaneously integrate deep-level trapping (high electron affinity, Ea), strong insulation (large bandgap, Eg), and high thermal stability are rarely available, posing a major challenge for improving high-temperature energy storage performance. To address this challenge, we screen and identify hexaazatriphenylene hexacarbonitrile (HAT-CN) as a promising candidate that fulfills the above critical requirements from numerous commercial organic molecules. When incorporated into a high glass transition temperature (Tg) polymer fluorene polyester (FPE), the resulting all-organic composite exhibits simultaneously suppressed high-temperature conduction loss and preserved mechanical robustness. Consequently, the optimized composite achieves record-high discharged energy densities of 7.31 J cm−3 at 150 °C and 6.14 J cm−3 at 200 °C (η≥90%) with a low cost and scalable process. This work demonstrates that the filler design based on synergistic key properties provides a potent pathway to break the longstanding high-temperature performance bottleneck in polymer dielectrics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4175-3
The precise manipulation of microdroplets (diameter < 20 μm) on solid substrates is critical for applications in environmental monitoring, targeted drug delivery, clinical diagnostics, and public health. A major challenge is contact angle hysteresis (CAH), which pins droplets and impedes mobility. Here, we introduce a crack-mediated capillary bridging strategy for efficient capture and directional transport of microdroplets. The approach employs a stretchable elastomeric substrate with island-like microstructures. Under longitudinal tensile stress, controlled fracture generates densely packed, directionally oriented surface cracks. These fissures induce localized capillary forces that counteract adhesion-induced resistance, enabling programmable droplet motion. Experiments capturing airborne pathogenic agents demonstrated a 14.2-fold enhancement in enrichment efficiency compared to flat surfaces. This work integrates fracture mechanics with capillary-driven fluid dynamics, establishing a framework for next-generation microfluidic systems. The findings offer promising avenues for biosensing, pollutant analysis, and interdisciplinary applications.