SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4248-2
Marine biofouling imposes substantial operational penalties on maritime assets, yet commercial silicone foul-release coatings rely on static, non-adaptive networks that cannot be reprocessed or repaired. This work introduces selenonium-salt-catalyzed dynamic siloxane exchange as a route to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) vitrimer coatings. The authors incorporate A16Se+ organoselenium catalysts into PDMS networks at loadings designated A16Se+xPDMS, enabling thermally activated siloxane bond exchange that confers vitrimeric stress relaxation, reprocessability, and high-temperature self-healing. Antibiofouling performance is benchmarked against pristine PDMS using colony morphology assays for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, SEM imaging of bacterial adhesion after 3 h, Chlorella fluorescence adhesion quantification, zeta potential measurements, and 3-month seawater immersion panels. Reviewer 1 questioned the direct relevance of recyclability and high-temperature self-healing to marine antifouling and requested that surface elastic modulus and Pseudomonas antibacterial data be elevated to the main text. In response, the authors relocated scratch and self-healing results from Figure 5 to Supporting Information Figures S12 and S13, condensed the main-text discussion, and integrated surface elastic modulus data into Figure 4G and Pseudomonas antibacterial results into Figure 6A. The revised manuscript positions dynamic exchange as supporting evidence of network dynamics rather than as a primary antifouling metric, while foregrounding modulus and antibacterial performance as the application-relevant properties.
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/s40843-026-4263-3
Monolayer black phosphorus (phosphorene) exhibits a direct bandgap and strong in-plane anisotropy, making it a promising candidate for near-infrared (NIR) optoelectronic devices. However, the precise modulation of its excitonic emission via anisotropic strain remains insufficiently understood, particularly regarding the contrasting strain responses of phosphorene versus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Here, we combine experimental characterization with tight-binding (TB) modeling to elucidate the strain-dependent bandgap evolution in phosphorene. Using a four-band TB model, we derive the bandgap at the Γ point as E_g^BP = 4t1 + 2t2 + 4t3 + 2t5, with hopping parameters t1 = -1.220 eV, t2 = 3.665 eV, t3 = -0.205 eV, t4 = -0.105 eV, and t5 = -0.055 eV. Under tensile strain along the zigzag (ZZ) direction, the interatomic distance associated with t1 increases, reducing the magnitude of |t1|. Since t1 is negative, the bandgap increases, contrary to the behavior of monolayer MoS2, where tensile strain decreases the bandgap due to positive hopping parameters t11, t22, and t12. This anisotropic strain response enables selective tuning of NIR exciton emission. Our findings provide a quantitative framework for strain engineering in phosphorene-based NIR devices, highlighting the critical role of hopping parameter signs in determining bandgap modulation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4491-3
Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with multiferroic tunneling barriers offer a pathway to fully electrically controlled multi-state memory, addressing the high energy costs and scalability limits of magnetically controlled counterparts. In this work, we propose a theoretical design achieving four or ten distinct resistance states via electrical control, with a giant tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio of 1.1×10^4% (11000%). This value surpasses all previously reported MTJs, including experimental systems such as CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB (TMR 65%, 4 states) and theoretical systems like Ga2O3/MgO/Ga2O3 (TMR 1120%, 2 states). The multiferroic barrier enables simultaneous control of ferroelectric and magnetic order parameters, allowing reversible switching between multiple resistance levels without external magnetic fields. Our first-principles calculations reveal that the high TMR arises from spin-dependent tunneling through the barrier, modulated by the ferroelectric polarization direction and magnetization configuration. The device operates with low write energy and exhibits non-volatile retention, making it suitable for high-density storage and in-memory computing. This work establishes a new benchmark for electrically controlled MTJs and provides a practical route to overcome the limitations of current spintronic memory technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4502-1
Near-infrared-II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) luminescent materials are pivotal for deep-tissue bioimaging and optical communication, yet their performance is often limited by low quantum yields and thermal quenching. Here, we report a thermal-enhanced NIR-II luminescence in Sb3+/Er3+ co-doped Cs3GdCl6 microcrystals synthesized via a modified Bridgman method. Under ultraviolet excitation, the co-doped microcrystals exhibit intense NIR-II emission centered at 1532 nm corresponding to Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition, with a maximum relative sensitivity of 1.2% K−1 at 303 K. Notably, the integrated NIR-II emission intensity increases by 2.3-fold from 298 K to 373 K, demonstrating anomalous thermal enhancement. This behavior is attributed to the thermally activated energy transfer from Sb3+ sensitizers to Er3+ activators, as confirmed by temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra and decay kinetics. The energy transfer efficiency reaches 86% at room temperature and further improves with rising temperature. The microcrystals also show excellent photostability, retaining 95% of initial intensity after 120 min continuous UV irradiation. Furthermore, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept wireless optical communication link using the microcrystals as a NIR-II phosphor, achieving a signal-to-noise ratio of 30 dB at 400 Hz modulation frequency. These findings provide a new strategy for designing thermal-enhanced NIR-II luminescent materials and expand their potential in temperature sensing and optical communication.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4290-9
Thermoelectric materials enable direct and reversible conversion between heat and electricity, offering unique advantages for waste heat recovery, solid-state refrigeration, and deep-space power systems. The performance is evaluated by the dimensionless figure of merit, zT = S²σT/κ, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ is the electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature, and κ is the total thermal conductivity. Achieving high zT requires simultaneous realization of a large power factor (S²σ) and low thermal conductivity. However, these parameters are intrinsically coupled, posing a fundamental challenge. PbTe is a representative thermoelectric material operating in the intermediate temperature range, with outstanding performance originating from its unique electronic band structure featuring multiple nearly degenerate valence band maxima near the L points. Band convergence via alloying with mono-tellurides such as MgTe, MnTe, CdTe, YbTe, SrTe, and EuTe effectively modifies the valence band structure, increasing band degeneracy and density-of-states effective mass, thereby enhancing electrical conductivity without decreasing the Seebeck coefficient. However, increasing the content of these mono-tellurides limits acceptor dopability, making conventional dopants like Na difficult to incorporate. This study demonstrates that co-doping strategies can preserve dopability while achieving band convergence and dislocation engineering, leading to significantly reduced lattice thermal conductivity and extraordinary peak zT values. The decoupling of electronic and thermal transport through this approach offers a promising route for high-performance thermoelectrics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4376-3
Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) surpasses the diffraction limit to achieve molecular-scale resolution, but conventional probes suffer from photobleaching, limiting imaging duration. In a recent Nature Photonics article, Ren and co-workers introduced spontaneous photoblinking upconversion microscopy (SPUM) using Yb3+/Ho3+ co-doped core–shell–shell upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs, NaYF4@NaYb/HoF4@NaLuF4). These UCNPs exhibit exceptional photostability and persistent, reversible blinking under 976 nm continuous-wave excitation, with negligible photodegradation. The blinking mechanism involves a Yb3+ multiphoton process coupled with defect-mediated energy trapping, switching the UCNPs between emissive (on) and non-emissive (off) states. Kinetic analysis revealed single-exponential bright-state dwell times and biexponential dark-state dwell times, indicating one decay pathway into a non-emissive state and two recovery pathways. In live-cell imaging, synchronized transport of UCNPs maintained constant interparticle distance and near-unity positional correlation. In fixed cells, Fourier ring correlation (FRC) resolution reached 30 nm, confirming sub-50 nm performance in biological specimens. This work provides an unprecedented combination of low duty cycle and photostability, establishing a foundation for non-photobleaching luminescent nanomaterials in long-term super-resolution imaging and nanoscale tracking.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4378-6
Electrical stimulation (ES) is a powerful strategy to mimic endogenous bioelectricity and accelerate complex tissue regeneration, such as chronic wound healing. However, aligning external stimulation with native bioelectrical and biochemical signals for rapid and scarless tissue regeneration remains challenging. Here, we report a wireless bioelectronic dressing (E-dressing) that establishes stable bioelectronic interfaces and precisely modulates cellular physiological activities. Bioactive allylamine-functionalized gold clusterzymes (AM-AuNCs) with intrinsic superoxide dismutase-like activity were designed as functional modifiers to co-polymerize with acrylic acid (AA), forming conductive p(AA-AuNCs) hydrogels. AM-AuNCs impart the hydrogel with superior antioxidant activity, robust interfacial adhesion, and high conductivity, enabling rapid hemostasis, efficient electrical stimulation transmission, and precise fibroblast regulation. Combined with 1.00 V of electrical stimulation, the p(AA-AuNCs) hydrogel significantly promotes fibroblast proliferation, migration, and alignment by upregulating TGF-β, FGF-2, and EGF. Integrated with a biocompatible, flexible zinc-ion battery delivering sustained and tunable electrical signals for over 7 days, the E-dressing precisely guides collagen remodeling, inhibits myofibroblast activation, and maintains Col I/Col III balance, leading to a 5-fold acceleration of wound closure and a 65.5% reduction in scar formation. This multifunctional E-dressing represents a promising bioelectronic device for precise cellular regulation and multimodal regenerative therapy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4206-6
Precise patterning of highly ordered organic semiconductor (OSC) thin-film arrays is critical for next-generation electronics. We report a ladder-like polysilsesquioxane (LPSQ) strategy to synthesize two functional analogs with tunable surface energies and robust dielectric properties. These LPSQ dielectrics, functionalized with alkyl or fluoroalkyl side chains, serve dual roles as gate insulators and patterning layers to guide blade-coating of 2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT). This approach yields highly aligned arrays suitable for three-dimensional integration in flexible electronics. Synergistic combination of dense LPSQ dielectric packing and aligned semiconductor domains leads to excellent organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) performance, achieving approximately four-fold improvement in field-effect mobility compared to conventional silicon oxide dielectrics. Patterned LPSQ dielectrics enable high-resolution C8-BTBT patterning on plastic substrates, supporting 4-inch-scale 3D integration of flexible logic circuits, including inverters (voltage gain >100), NOR gates, and NAND gates. This work provides a scalable route to high-performance, large-area flexible organic circuits.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4316-0
The rapid development of small molecule acceptors (SMAs) has enabled organic photovoltaics (OPVs) to achieve power conversion efficiencies exceeding 21%. Structural asymmetry has emerged as a particularly effective approach for boosting acceptor performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of asymmetric SMAs from the molecular scale to the nanoscale and macroscale. The main text is organized into four sections: molecular design strategies for structural asymmetry, crystal structure evolution from symmetry breaking, morphological characteristics revealed by advanced characterization techniques, and energy loss mechanisms involving asymmetric SMAs. At the molecular scale, asymmetry enables precise modulation of dipole moments and intermolecular interactions, directly affecting crystalline packing and charge-transport networks. At the nanoscale, it further regulates domain purity, phase continuity, and molecular orientation. Asymmetric designs can also help mitigate non-radiative voltage loss through modulation of charge-transfer state energetics. Overall, asymmetric molecular design introduces additional structural and electronic tunability, offering new opportunities for overcoming the trade-offs that limit OPV performance. Finally, we discuss ongoing challenges and outline future perspectives to guide continued development and innovation in asymmetric SMA design.
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/s40843-026-4257-y
Hafnia-based ferroelectrics exhibit a distinctive reverse size effect and exceptional scalability, positioning them as critical candidates for CMOS-compatible non-volatile memory and ferroelectric transistors, with substantial promise for advancing hardware acceleration in artificial intelligence and large-data storage technologies. However, their practical deployment is constrained by a longstanding dilemma: the difficulty in simultaneously stabilizing metastable polar phases and ensuring long-term reliability under the high electric fields required for polarization switching. This review reinterprets this challenge through the lens of defect physics and advocates a paradigm shift from stochastic, disorder-mediated defect incorporation toward ordered, multiscale defect engineering. We systematically discuss the collective influence of point defects, line defects, planar defects, and defect-coupled structures on the phase stability, switching kinetics, and failure mechanisms in hafnia-based ferroelectrics. Controlling oxygen-vacancy states, engineering dopants via Fermi-level and chemical pressure, deploying periodic dislocation arrays, designing topological domain walls, functionalizing interfaces, and leveraging flexoelectric strain gradients constitute the core strategic toolkit. Through such ordered defect architectures, scalable performance metrics, including high remanent polarization, low coercive field, fast switching speed, and endurance exceeding 10^12 cycles, become attainable. These approaches establish a set of design principles for next-generation low-power, high-reliability ferroelectric electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4209-3
Solar interfacial evaporation and photocatalysis exhibit intrinsic complementarity in energy utilization pathways and reaction mechanisms. Integrating photocatalysis into interfacial evaporation systems enables a synergistic platform for efficient evaporation and pollutant removal. In this study, a defect-engineering strategy is developed for UiO-66 by covalently anchoring five carboxyl-containing organic dyes into its framework, where steric hindrance and ligand substitution synergistically induce abundant structural defects. This approach yields a series of defect-rich UiO-66 materials with tunable dye loading. Among them, the dye-sensitized UiO-66@dye-2 system demonstrates optimal light absorption capacity and vacancy defects. The dyes act as sensitizers, broadening the light absorption range and accelerating water evaporation, while the defect-inducing dyes introduce abundant trap sites, enabling rapid charge transfer and efficient spatial charge separation. Under 1-sun irradiation, the system achieves an outstanding water evaporation rate with a high solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency of 97.8%, along with excellent photocatalytic performance, achieving 95.4% degradation of phenol pollutants. Notably, it maintains stable degradation performance across highly acidic and alkaline environments, ensuring reliability for long-term operations in complex conditions. This work provides a molecular-level strategy for constructing defect-rich UiO-66 derivatives and offers insights for designing next-generation materials for integrated photothermal-photocatalytic environmental remediation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4134-6
Oral leukoplakia (OLK) is a prevalent premalignant lesion with malignant transformation risk. Current adhesive hydrogels lack lesion-specific adhesion and precision therapy. We synthesized DNA hydrogels via co-crosslinking of thiolated gelatin and thiolated oligonucleotide through disulfide bonds, incorporating Mn2+ and chlorin e6 (Ce6) via thiol-metal coordination and physical entrapment. Low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS) anchored complementary oligonucleotides onto the lesion surface, enabling site-specific bioadhesion through base pairing. Under high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), Ce6 generated reactive oxygen species, triggering mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release in hyperproliferative epithelial cells. Concurrent HFUS accelerated Mn2+ release, potentiating cGAS recognition of cytosolic mtDNA and activating the cGAS-STING pathway. This induced dendritic cell maturation, priming naïve T cells into cytotoxic T lymphocytes, reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment. The modality induced immunological memory, restraining OLK recurrence and impeding malignant transformation. This study introduces the first DNA-directed hydrogel bioadhesion strategy and proposes unprecedented cGAS-STING pathway-associated immunotherapy against OLK.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3696-3
The development of substitutable meniscus implants that can effectively protect articular cartilage remains a great challenge. Herein, a polyurethane with chemical crosslinking and sulfobetaine extenders containing hydrophobic chains (PU-CL-hSB) is developed, which could improve comprehensive properties and long-term stability simultaneously. By regulating the mole ratio of functional groups, PU-CL-hSB with appropriate mechanical properties, excellent tribological properties, and good fatigue resistance is used to prepare substitutable meniscus implant by hot-pressing. Due to the synergistic effect of functional groups, PU-CL-hSB meniscus implant presents comparable or even superior properties to native meniscus. It withstands a maximum force of 26.08 N versus 25.14 N for native meniscus, an energy dissipation from 45.93 to 39.17 N mm compared to 28.83 to 19.11 N mm for native meniscus over 300 cycles, and a friction coefficient from 0.08 to 0.19 compared to 0.11 to 0.26 for native meniscus. This PU-CL-hSB meniscus implant is further implanted into live rabbit knee joints for 8 and 25 weeks by a new approach, and in vivo data indicate that PU-CL-hSB meniscus implant not only protects articular cartilage from severe damage without eliciting inflammatory responses, but also can maintain normal physiological activities in the native state. Our findings present a substitutable meniscus implant that could be applied in vivo and propose evaluation methodologies for meniscus implants.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3604-1
Piezoelectric materials convert mechanical energy into electrical signals, enabling applications in sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting. Inorganic ceramics like PZT and BTO exhibit excellent piezoelectric properties but are brittle, limiting their use in flexible electronics. This work presents a porous composite of PZT@carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The core-shell structure enhances interfacial compatibility, while the porous TPU skeleton facilitates stress transfer and amplification, allowing high piezoelectric content. The resulting PZT@CMCS/TPU devices achieve an output voltage of 53 V and current of 13 μA, an 11-fold improvement over conventional PZT composite films. This approach enables flexible piezoelectric devices with high performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3556-6
Photon avalanche (PA) is a nonlinear optical phenomenon characterized by steep upconversion emission growth with excitation power. Since the first demonstration of PA on nanoscale and at room temperature in 2021, PA luminescence of lanthanides has attracted considerable attention in nano- and bio-photonics. However, PA nanoparticles (NPs) remain restricted to a limited range of material systems and lanthanide ions, facing challenges including inadequate nonlinearity (N), high excitation threshold (P_th), and deficient chromaticity. In a recent publication in Nature Photonics, Dong and co-workers reported a new class of PA nanosystem based on Ho3+-doped fluoride NPs, which afforded tunable PA chromaticity for multicolor sub-diffraction imaging. Unlike conventional PA systems reliant on a single reservoir level, this study introduced a novel 'parallel PA' (PPA) mechanism leveraging the dual long-lived intermediate reservoir levels (5I7 and 5I6) of Ho3+, facilitating simultaneous operation of two PA loops to generate multicolor emissions. Under 965 nm continuous-wave excitation, the PPA of Ho3+ produced simultaneous red-green-blue emissions with large N (>20). Differential rate equation modelling identified all PA signatures, including clear P_th, S-shaped curves, extremely high sigma_ESA/sigma_GSA ratio of ~75000, and volcano-shaped rise time. The engineered NaGdF4:10%Ho@NaYF4 core/shell PA NPs (~19.6 nm) exhibited remarkably high N of 17–22 with mild P_th of ~22 kW cm−2 and fast response time of 343–371 ms. By screening host lattices and introducing co-dopants, PA chromaticity was precisely tailored, demonstrating unparalleled emission tunability for multicolor super-resolution imaging.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3694-3
Lithium metal anodes (LMAs) are among the most promising candidates for next-generation batteries with high energy density. However, their practical application is hindered by persistent challenges such as dendritic lithium growth, unstable solid electrolyte interphases (SEI), and poor Coulombic efficiency. Surface coating has emerged as a viable solution to address these limitations. In particular, atomic and molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) techniques offer unparalleled control over the fabrication of ultrathin, conformal coatings, making them especially suitable for stabilizing LMA interfaces. This review comprehensively summarizes recent progress in applying ALD and MLD methodologies to construct durable artificial interphases on LMAs. We discuss the underlying mechanisms through which these coatings inhibit dendrite formation, improve interfacial integrity, and facilitate uniform lithium-ion transport. The roles of inorganic ALD coatings, organic MLD coatings, and their organic–inorganic hybrids are systematically examined, with a focus on their chemical composition, deposition behavior, and electrochemical characteristics. Moreover, we highlight the enhanced performance achieved through the integration of ALD/MLD-engineered interfaces in full-cell systems. The review concludes with a discussion of current challenges and potential research avenues aimed at advancing the rational development of effective LMA protection strategies. Overall, this work offers valuable insights into the role of interfacial engineering via ALD and MLD in enabling the practical deployment of lithium metal batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3642-4
High-density glass scintillators are promising alternatives to crystals for next-generation radiation detection due to their low cost, excellent physical and chemical stability, and processability. In this study, a series of Ce3+-activated gadolinium gallium borosilicate (GGBS x) glasses were synthesized via vacuum melt-quenching. With increasing Gd2O3 content, glass density increased from 5.86 to 6.05 g/cm3, and molar volume from 36.43 to 39.79 cm3/mol. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis revealed that in GGBS 1 glass, Ce3+ exclusively adopts a hexahedral [CeO6] configuration, while Gd3+ exhibits both hexahedral and octahedral coordination with a bond length of 2.35±0.1 Å and Debye-Waller factor σ2 of 0.0122±0.0015 Å2. As Gd2O3 content increased, shallow trap depth rose from 0.804 to 0.858 eV, while deep trap depth first increased from 0.948 to 1.434 eV then decreased to 1.010 eV. GGBS 1 glass exhibited high transmittance (~80%) in the visible range and a photoluminescence quantum yield of 78.4%. Under X-ray irradiation, its X-ray excited luminescence intensity reached 128.5% of that of Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystal, with a spatial resolution of 29.1 lp/mm, approaching the highest reported for glass scintillators. Under γ-ray excitation, it achieved a light yield of 1058 photons/MeV and an energy resolution of 23.7% at 662 keV. These results indicate that GGBS 1 glass scintillator warrants further development for applications in X-ray imaging and γ-ray spectroscopy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3610-7
Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers an attractive route to produce value-added multicarbon (C2+) products, yet suffers from competing hydrogen evolution and monocarbon production. Here, we propose a dual-confinement effect on CO2 reactant and *CO intermediate, induced by tuning the pore configuration of reconstructed covalent organic frameworks (RC-COFs). The highly crystalline microporous RC-COF-1, when coated on a Cu electrode, enhances local CO2 concentration and restricts CO diffusion, thereby promoting C-C coupling. In acidic electrolyte, the RC-COF-1@Cu electrode achieves a maximum C2+ Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 67.0% at 500 mA cm−2, while maintaining a total carbon product FE above 90% across a broad current density range (100–500 mA cm−2). Experimental and theoretical analyses confirm that the ordered micropores of RC-COF-1 modulate reactant adsorption and intermediate diffusion, leading to improved C2+ selectivity. This work underscores the critical role of COF pore architecture in microenvironment engineering for heterogeneous catalysis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3706-3
Aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries are severely limited by slow cathode reaction kinetics and large polarization. Herein, we design and prepare a Mott-Schottky catalyst by uniformly embedding ultrafine Ru nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped carbon (Ru@NC) nanoflakes to accelerate oxygen redox kinetics of Li-O2 batteries. The Mott-Schottky effect of Ru@NC drives spontaneous electron rearrangement in the NC matrix and induces a strong built-in electric field at heterointerfaces, which accelerates the activation and conversion of oxygen intermediates. The obtained Ru@NC possesses rich Mott-Schottky heterointerfaces and defective carbon structures, which provide extensive adsorption and nucleation sites. More importantly, Ru@NC manifests moderate affinity for the intermediate LiO2, inducing formation of unique nanosheet-like Li2O2 with low Li2O2/cathode interfacial impedance, which further enhances oxidation kinetics. These enable the Li-O2 battery with Ru@NC to deliver a remarkably reduced polarization of 0.89 V, superior rate performance, and prolonged lifespan of over 200 cycles. This work will provide valuable guidelines for engineering advanced electrocatalysts for high-performance Li-O2 batteries and beyond.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3682-6
Metal single-atoms with optimized coordination structure on highly accessible substrate can maximize the metal utilization efficiency along with enhancing catalytic activities. Herein, axial nitrogen-coordinated Fe-N5 sites on N-doped carbon (denoted as FeN5@N-C) hollow microplates are fabricated via a unique Fe3+-chelated polydopamine assisted hollowing strategy using ZIF-L microplates as multifunctional templates. Due to the powerful chelating and adhesive ability of polydopamine, this hollow-carbon strategy can be extended to fabricate single-atom Fe-N-C hollow structures with different shapes and encapsulate other transition-metal single atoms (Ni, Co, Mn, and Cu) into the N-doped carbon hollow microplates. The FeN5@N-C hollow microplates exhibit outstanding oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) capability with an impressive half-wave potential of 0.93 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode and high stability, which can serve as air-cathode catalysts for high-performance Zn-air batteries with high peak power density of 225.3 mW cm−2 and stable cyclability of up to 400 h. Comprehensive analysis and theoretical calculations elucidate that axial nitrogen coordination in Fe-N5 catalytic sites, unlike the planar Fe-N4 configuration, can compete well with the bonding of OH* through additional 3d-2p orbital hybridization, thereby giving moderate bonding strength to enhance the ORR activity.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3616-8
Negative stiffness (NS) structures exploit multi-stable mechanisms to achieve energy absorption, yet their practical application is limited by material and manufacturing constraints that compromise load-bearing capacity, reusability, and energy absorption efficiency. This study addresses these limitations by employing continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers (CCFRTP) and three-dimensional (3D) printing to fabricate NS structures with cosine beam cells. A wet twisting method for continuous carbon fiber (CCF) was developed to enhance mechanical properties and elucidate failure behaviors and interfacial adhesion mechanisms. The resulting CCF/PLA/PVDF composites exhibited significant improvements in mechanical properties compared to untreated counterparts, with failure analysis revealing characteristic fiber breakage due to enhanced interfacial adhesion, as opposed to fiber pull-out and irregular fracture in untreated samples. A one-stroke path planning model was used to investigate bistability principles and energy absorption mechanisms. Displacement-controlled loading/unloading experiments assessed energy absorption in both energy-locked and repetitive modes. A dual-unit assembly structure was fabricated to validate the feasibility of a negative stiffness honeycomb structure. Composite layup simulations via Abaqus confirmed the deformation process and energy absorption mechanisms. The findings demonstrate that CCFRTP-based NS structures offer considerable potential for large deformation energy absorption applications in aerospace and naval fields.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3598-1
Embedding a dielectric layer between as-synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and metal surfaces represents a powerful strategy to achieve electronic decoupling, thereby enabling the extraction of these ribbons' intrinsic electrical properties. Although several reports have documented dielectric intercalation between GNRs and metal substrates, studies on Ag(111) substrates are limited. Here, we demonstrate a semiconducting AgTe monolayer intercalation method to achieve electronic decoupling between as-synthesized GNRs and an Ag(111) substrate. Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, we directly observed the AgTe intercalation process at the GNR/Ag(111) interface. By combining scanning tunneling spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, we elucidate the critical role of AgTe monolayer intercalation in reducing the interaction between as-synthesized GNRs and the Ag(111) substrate and observe the near-intrinsic electrical properties of the GNRs. Our findings offer a practical and effective strategy for intercalating AgTe monolayers between carbon-based nanomaterials and Ag(111) substrates, facilitating the unambiguous characterization of the near-intrinsic electronic properties of these materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3722-3
Magnesium alloys are promising biodegradable bone implant materials due to their biocompatibility and mechanical compatibility, but rapid degradation and postoperative bacterial infection limit clinical application. Here, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PD) composite coatings (ZIF-8@PD) were fabricated in situ on micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coated AZ31 alloys via two-step and one-step (OS) methods. The MAO/ZIF-8@PD and MAO/ZIF-8@PD (OS) coatings reduced corrosion current density by three and two orders of magnitude, respectively, compared to MAO coating, due to the physical barrier of the 2D-co-3D MOF structure. Under 808 nm near-infrared laser irradiation, photothermal and photodynamic effects from PD, combined with contact killing by released Zn2+ ions, achieved bactericidal rates ≥99.5% against E. coli and S. aureus. Photothermal conversion efficiencies were 44.01% and 48.57% for the two-step and one-step coatings, respectively. The distinct Zn2+ sources led to different 2D-co-3D MOF structures, influencing degradation and antibacterial behavior. These coatings offer a strategy to enhance corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity of Mg alloys for biomedical applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3727-0
Lead halide perovskites are promising scintillators for X-ray imaging due to high X-ray absorption efficiency, excellent luminescence, and facile synthesis. However, their ionic nature challenges simultaneous high photoluminescence efficiency and environmental robustness. This work introduces a multilevel encapsulation strategy: CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) are sequentially coated with Cs4PbBr6, SiO2, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Cs4PbBr6 passivates surface defects, while SiO2 and PDMS provide barriers against moisture, heat, and radiation. The resulting CsPbBr3@Cs4PbBr6/SiO2/PDMS flexible films exhibit a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 85%, outstanding mechanical flexibility, and durability under stretching, bending, and compressing. Films retain emission stability under elevated temperatures, prolonged X-ray irradiation, and extended water immersion. X-ray imaging demonstrates spatial resolution of 12 lp/mm, enabling distortion-free imaging of curved objects; superior water resistance allows long-term underwater imaging. This work highlights hierarchical encapsulation in balancing luminescence efficiency and stability, offering a pathway toward practical flexible perovskite scintillators.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3762-9
The integration of interfacial photothermal conversion and hydrovoltaic effects into bifunctional evaporators offers a promising route to simultaneously address freshwater scarcity and energy demands. However, the development of low-cost bifunctional evaporators and elucidation of the underlying co-generation mechanism remain challenging. Here, we report a porous carbon derived from waste polyester via a metal-organic framework (MOF)-assisted carbonization strategy, which is subsequently fabricated into a bifunctional evaporator for freshwater and hydroelectricity co-generation. The porous carbon exhibits a high specific surface area of 904 m² g⁻¹, hierarchical micro- and mesopores, and abundant oxygen-containing groups. The resulting evaporator demonstrates broadband light absorption, localized thermal management, good hydrophilicity, and high flexibility. Under 1 sun illumination, it achieves an open-circuit voltage of 250 mV, a short-circuit current of 14 μA, and an evaporation rate of 2.34 kg m⁻² h⁻¹, ranking among the most efficient freshwater-hydroelectricity co-generators. The weakened hydrogen-bonding network reduces the water evaporation enthalpy to 1.7 kJ g⁻¹. Mechanistic studies, including molecular dynamics simulations, reveal that selective Na⁺ interaction induces differential ion migration rates, generating a streaming potential. Additionally, the photothermal effect enhances voltage output by promoting interfacial ion concentration gradients. Outdoor tests confirm stable voltage output of 250 mV and freshwater production of 2.34 kg m⁻². This work provides a scalable platform for fabricating advanced evaporators from waste plastics and unravels the co-generation mechanism, offering a sustainable strategy to mitigate freshwater and energy crises.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507055
The increasing complexity of pollutant sources in municipal wastewater networks, driven by unauthorized industrial discharges, poses significant risks to the stable operation of wastewater treatment plants. This study, conducted in an industrial park in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, developed a source apportionment method using excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy combined with spectral angle mapping (SAM). A pollution fingerprint database was constructed from wastewater samples of six representative enterprises (A–F) and municipal sewer samples. The SAM algorithm demonstrated high sensitivity and stability in detecting changes in water composition, with spectral angle values showing a strong linear correlation (R² > 0.88) with the volume ratio of enterprise wastewater in mixed samples. This enabled both qualitative identification and quantitative estimation of pollution sources. Field application over a 12-hour monitoring period identified two enterprises as major contributors to organic matter and nitrogen during critical pollution episodes, consistent with trends in DOC, TN, and UV254. The proposed EEM+SAM approach offers a non-invasive, high-throughput method for real-time monitoring and source tracing of multi-source pollution in complex sewer systems, providing a scientific basis for pollution accountability and precise enforcement.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60613-X
This study systematically optimized the preparation of Co-modified Ce/TiO2 catalysts and investigated the effects of preparation method and Co loading on their low-temperature denitrification activity. The sol-gel method with a Co/Ti mass ratio of 0.025 (Ce-Co0.025/TiO2-SG) yielded superior performance compared to impregnation and co-precipitation methods. The catalyst maintained NO conversion above 95% in the 225–350 °C range and exhibited high N2 selectivity. Characterization via BET, XRD, XPS, H2-TPR, and in situ DRIFTS revealed that the enhanced activity was attributed to abundant surface oxygen vacancies, a high proportion of Ce3+ species, and prominent acidic sites. The catalyst followed the Eley-Rideal mechanism, effectively inhibiting nitrate intermediate formation and promoting NO-to-NO2 oxidation. This work provides a reference for developing efficient low-temperature denitrification catalysts for industrial applications such as cement production, which emitted 722,000 tons of NOx in 2020, accounting for 17.3% of industrial emissions.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025122101
Phenolic compounds, widely used in petrochemical, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, pose severe risks to ecosystems and human health due to their toxicity and persistence. Traditional Fe2+-mediated Fenton oxidation, while effective, suffers from external H2O2 and Fe2+ addition, low H2O2 utilization, narrow pH adaptability, and iron sludge generation. This study develops a g-C3N4-based heterogeneous photo-Fenton system that operates without external H2O2 or Fe2+ salts, exhibiting a wide pH range and minimal iron sludge. The synthesized Fe3O4@UiO/IKCN catalyst, under visible light, selectively reduces dissolved oxygen to H2O2 via a two-electron pathway and activates it to hydroxyl radicals (·OH), achieving efficient degradation of phenolic compounds. The integration of photocatalytic H2O2 formation and Fenton activation enables sustained production of oxidative species, demonstrating superior performance at circumneutral pH. This work provides new insights into the rational design of heterogeneous Z-scheme photo-Fenton catalysts and offers experimental and theoretical support for photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis and phenolic wastewater treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024102403
The rapid combustion of soot at low temperatures is critical for diesel engine cold-start emission control. This study investigates the effects of water vapor (H2O) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) on electricity-pulse-sparked catalysis (EPSC) for soot combustion over a ceramic filter paper-based potassium-supported antimony-doped tin oxide (K/ATO/CP) monolithic catalyst. Under EPSC with 2000 J pulses, the presence of H2O and NOx adversely affected soot combustion performance, yet average reaction rates remained high at 12.0 μmol·gcat−1·s−1 and 9.53 μmol·gcat−1·s−1, respectively, exceeding conventional thermal catalysis (<8 μmol·gcat−1·s−1). In situ Raman and concentration profiles revealed that electricity pulses promote rapid H2O desorption, effectively alleviating H2O poisoning and restoring catalyst activity. In contrast, NOx adsorption forms stable nitrates (e.g., KNO3) that desorb slower than the soot combustion process, leading to incomplete recovery of activity. These findings highlight the importance of adsorbate desorption kinetics in EPSC and suggest that using weakly basic alkaline-earth metals (e.g., Mg, Ca, Sr) with lower nitrate decomposition temperatures could mitigate NOx poisoning. The results provide guidance for advancing EPSC technology in hybrid vehicle exhaust aftertreatment systems.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604009
Biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is often limited by insufficient influent carbon sources, necessitating external carbon addition to enhance denitrification. Conventional single carbon sources, such as sodium acetate, frequently fail to meet the metabolic demands of complex microbial communities, compromising nitrogen removal efficiency and stability. Composite carbon sources, by providing multiple electron donors, can improve metabolic cooperation among microorganisms, yet their underlying microbial mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. In this study, activated sludge from a municipal WWTP was used to investigate the microbial mechanisms of composite carbon sources during denitrification. Batch denitrification experiments were conducted in combination with metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses to systematically characterize microbial community structure and functional gene expression under different carbon source conditions. Results showed that, compared with sodium acetate as the single carbon source, the composite carbon source system (sodium acetate: sodium succinate: ethanol = 2:1:3) increased the denitrification rate from (6.822 ± 0.141) mg/(L·h) to (8.370 ± 0.186) mg/(L·h), representing a 22.7% improvement, while reducing N2O accumulation by approximately 55%. Metagenomic analysis revealed that Ottowia, Rubrivivax, Thauera, and Zoogloea were the dominant denitrifying genera. Metatranscriptomic results further demonstrated that the composite carbon sources significantly upregulated the transcription of key denitrification genes, with nirS, norB, and nosZ increasing by 37.8%, 27.4%, and 48.6%, respectively. In addition, the composite carbon sources promoted complementary carbon metabolic strategies among different microbial communities, enhancing electron donor supply and improving denitrification efficiency. These findings indicate that composite carbon sources synergistically enhance denitrification performance through regulation of functional gene transcription in complex microbial communities, providing a theoretical basis for carbon source optimization in WWTPs.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225221
The proliferation of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in portable electronics and electric vehicles has generated a pressing need for sustainable recycling of spent batteries. Conventional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical routes suffer from low metal recovery efficiencies or require additional precipitants. This study introduces a clean and efficient process for recovering lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co) from spent LiCoO2 cathode materials using a choline chloride-oxalic acid-water (ChCl-OA-H2O) deep eutectic solvent (DES). The method exploits selective precipitation of Co as cobalt oxalate dihydrate (CoC2O4·2H2O) followed by water-content-regulated recovery of Li as lithium oxalate (Li2C2O4) via evaporation crystallization, eliminating the need for external precipitants. Under optimized conditions (molar ratio 1:1:8, solid-liquid ratio 100 g/L, 90 °C, 6.5 h), the leaching efficiency of Li reached 99.4%, with recovery efficiencies of 88.3% for Li and 97.8% for Co. The DES system demonstrated robust cycling stability, maintaining Li and Co recoveries of 78.1% and 92.8% after six regeneration cycles. This work provides a low-pollution, economically viable pathway for LIB recycling, contributing to resource sustainability and offering significant industrial potential.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3881-y
One-dimensional (1D) and quasi-1D platinum diselenide (PtSe2) exhibit enhanced quantum confinement and surface effects, leading to distinctive electronic and optical properties. However, efficient synthesis of high-quality quasi-1D PtSe2 with controlled dimensionality and orientation remains challenging. Here, we report the first successful synthesis of quasi-1D PtSe2 via a carrier-gas-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach. By optimizing hydrogen concentration, we achieved highly oriented and crystalline quasi-1D PtSe2, which exhibits exceptional thermodynamic stability along the (110) crystal plane. Electrical characterization reveals that 2D few-layer PtSe2 exhibits p-type semiconductor properties, while quasi-1D multilayer PtSe2 displays semimetallic behavior. Due to quantum confinement effects, both materials exhibit similar carrier mobilities. In photodetection at 1550 nm, 2D PtSe2 exhibits conventional positive photoresponse with a maximum responsivity of 97.0 A/W. In contrast, quasi-1D PtSe2 demonstrates unique negative photoresponse, achieving a maximum responsivity of 194.2 A/W, attributed to its semimetallic nature and significant surface traps. Temperature-dependent photoresponse measurements at various power levels further confirm that the negative response originates from a defect-assisted photogating effect, the strength of which exhibits significant temperature dependence under high-power illumination. This work not only fills a gap in the synthesis of 1D PtSe2 but also provides a novel material platform for developing advanced infrared optoelectronic devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3779-1
Comprehensive mechanical properties, including hardness (H), elastic modulus (E), fracture toughness (KC), and wear resistance, are essential for oxide ceramics used in demanding environments. This work employs nanoindentation to evaluate these properties for RE3TaO7 (RE=La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Lu) and identifies the optimal calculation method for KC in brittle oxide ceramics. The ratio of indentation crack length to half-diagonal (l/α) is a key parameter: Eq. (3) is suitable when l/α < 1, while Eq. (4) applies when l/α > 1. The indentation energy method is invalid for brittle ceramics due to crack formation at high loads. RE3TaO7 oxides exhibit H of 5.8–14.9 GPa, E of 127.5–247.8 GPa, and KC of 1.0–2.0 MPa·m1/2, surpassing RE2Zr2O7 (KC 1.0–1.5 MPa·m1/2). Wear resistance, indicated by MDP, ranges from 0.55 to 0.67, outperforming RE2Zr2O7. The superior fracture toughness is attributed to weberite structure with crack deflection and tortuous propagation, contrasted with pyrochlore's straight cracks. These findings provide accurate nanoindentation-based methods for assessing mechanical properties of brittle oxide ceramics, facilitating material discovery and optimization for thermal barrier coatings and other high-temperature applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3856-0
Replacing the kinetically sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with biomass oxidation at photoanodes offers a cost-effective and energy-efficient route for simultaneous hydrogen production and value-added chemical synthesis in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. Here, titanium-doped hematite nanorods (Hem) decorated with CoNi bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) were prepared via room-temperature deposition and employed as photoanodes for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oxidation. Using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) as a redox mediator in alkaline electrolyte, the CoNi-ZIF/Hem photoanode achieved a photocurrent density of 1.09 mA cm−2 at a low bias of 1.1 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). Experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that CoNi-ZIF accelerates charge transfer and separation, and enhances TEMPO adsorption on the surface, benefiting PEC TEMPO-mediated HMF oxidation to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). In a flow-cell reactor under 1 sun illumination, the photoanode achieved ~99% HMF conversion and ~98% FDCA yield within 2 hours. The photoanode also exhibited excellent performance for TEMPO-mediated oxidation of various aldehyde-containing biomass-derived compounds. This work demonstrates a rational design of hematite-based photoanodes for efficient biomass valorization coupled with hydrogen production.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3545-7
Magnetically driven hydrogel robots show promise in biomedical and underwater applications due to remote controllability, flexibility, biocompatibility, and chemical stability. However, limited functional integration restricts their adaptability. Here, a universal modular assembly strategy is introduced using a self-healing κ-carrageenan/polyacrylamide hydrogel embedded with magnetic particles, enabling free assembly of magnetic actuation modules. These modules construct soft robots with complex geometries and magnetization distributions, allowing diverse deformations under magnetic fields. The strategy further integrates photocatalysis by embedding Ru-Bi2CrO6 photocatalysts into functional modules, yielding an oxygen-generating robot. This robot exhibits flexible underwater movement via magnetically controlled oscillatory actuation, minimizing water agitation while supplying stable oxygen to specific aquatic environments. The photocatalytic oxygen evolution rate reaches 389.1 μmol g−1 h−1. The hydrogel skeleton suppresses particle aggregation and sedimentation, and facilitates magnetic recovery. This scalable and adaptable approach advances multifunctional soft robot design.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61113-4
Porous pyrolytic carbon (PPyC) serves as the buffer layer in TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel particles, providing storage for fission gases, preventing damage to outer layers, and absorbing stresses caused by fuel-kernel swelling. However, the changes of PPyC micro- and meso-structure at high temperatures remain insufficiently understood. In this study, PPyC fabricated by chemical vapor deposition was heat-treated from 1200 to 1600 °C and characterized across atomic-to-mesoscopic scales. Results show that the structure changes with temperature with a transition at approximately 1400 °C. Below 1400 °C, a decrease in Raman ID/IG ratio, narrowing of the graphite diffraction peak, and increased sp2 hybridization indicate progressive ordering associated with defect redistribution. Concurrent decreases in true density and mesopore volume, together with increased closed porosity, are consistent with partial conversion of open pores into closed pores. Above 1400 °C, increased ID/IG ratio, broadening of the diffraction peak near the rhombohedral graphite (101) reflection, and transition regions between crystalline and amorphous material observed by TEM indicate increasing structural disorder. Meanwhile, initially distinct PPyC particle boundaries blur and merge into broad, plate-like domains. Subsequent decrease in closed porosity and increase in mesopore surface area are consistent with partial connection of closed pores to the open-pore network. This work shows that intrinsic coupling between atomic-scale structural change and mesoscale pore connectivity provides a basis for assessing high-temperature structural stability of PPyC in TRISO fuel particles.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510089
Microplastics (MPs) are frequently detected in various water bodies, posing increasing environmental risks. This study synthesized magnetic Fe3O4@MIL-100(Fe) microspheres via an in-situ one-step hydrothermal method and investigated their adsorption removal mechanisms for polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics. The composite exhibited a core-shell structure with a high specific surface area of 848.6 m2·g−1. Adsorption kinetics showed that PLA followed a pseudo-second-order model, while PS fitted both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. Equilibrium data for both MPs were well described by the Freundlich isotherm. Removal efficiencies for PLA and PS increased from 58.18% and 49.66% to 98.90% and 98.58%, respectively, as pH decreased, and from 64.24% and 21.58% to 97.05% and 94.63% with increasing ionic strength. The removal mechanism involved synergistic physical-chemical interactions: hydrogen bonding dominated for PLA, with some complexation, while π–π interactions and hydrogen bonding were primary for PS. The material demonstrated excellent reusability over multiple cycles. These findings highlight the potential of Fe3O4@MIL-100(Fe) for efficient removal of MPs from water, offering a novel approach for controlling emerging contaminants.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506084
Groundwater is a vital drinking and irrigation source in the loess regions of northwestern China. In Guyuan, a densely populated area in southern Ningxia, systematic assessments of groundwater pollution risks are lacking. This study collected 60 groundwater samples and employed the Nemerow index, heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and health risk assessment models to evaluate pollution levels and health risks of eight elements including Cr, As, and Hg. Results show that the groundwater is generally Class IV quality, with a mean TDS of 1350.9 mg·L−1. Average concentrations of As, Cr, and Mn are 4.39, 29.87, and 45.77 μg·L−1, respectively. The Nemerow index indicates moderate pollution. The mean HPI is 10.56, but a local sample (PS1-51-下) reaches 36.15, indicating severe pollution. Health risk assessment reveals that carcinogenic risks from Cr and As for adults and children are 8.037×10−6 a−1 and 3.863×10−6 a−1, respectively, below US EPA limits but above recommended levels by Swedish and Dutch agencies, with children at higher risk. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and principal component analysis suggest that groundwater is primarily recharged by atmospheric precipitation. Cr, Zn, and Mn mainly originate from regional copper ore belts, coal mining, and agricultural activities. This study fills a gap in multidimensional groundwater assessment in populated loess areas, identifies pollution characteristics distinct from typical loess regions, and provides a scientific basis for regional water resource risk management and sustainable development.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60616-5
CuZnAl (CZA) is a classic industrial catalyst for methanol synthesis from syngas, but its catalytic performance for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol is suboptimal. The catalytic mechanism of Cu species in CZA remains challenging. This study systematically investigates the valence state changes of active Cu species in CZA catalysts and their influence on catalytic performance by modifying catalysts with varying amounts of electron donor K, thereby identifying the catalytic function of Cu species with different valence states. H2-TPR, XPS, and HR-TEM characterizations reveal that highly dispersed K species supported on CZA catalysts inhibit the reduction of CuO, resulting in a small amount of Cu2O active species being produced under reaction conditions, thus causing a decrease in catalytic activity. Furthermore, XRD and Cu LMM spectra show that the proportion of Cu0 in K-modified CZA catalysts increases with K loading, but a higher proportion of Cu0 species on the surface obviously promotes the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction. According to the results of in situ infrared spectroscopy, CZA catalyst follows the reaction pathway mediated by HCOO* in the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0032
This study elucidates the nonlinear relationship between the softening point of coating asphalt and its oxidative cross-linking behavior, as well as the sodium storage performance of the derived hard carbon. Comparative analysis of asphalts with low (80 °C), medium (160 °C), and high (260 °C) softening points revealed that both the 80 and 260 °C asphalts incorporated a higher oxygen content (20%–25%) during oxidation, leading to the formation of a deeply cross-linked structure dominated by anhydride and ester groups. This effectively suppressed graphitization during carbonization, yielding hard carbon with large interlayer spacing, high disorder, and abundant closed pores. The derived hard carbon exhibited superior sodium storage performance: the initial charge capacities of EPOC-80 and EPOC-260 reached 314.7 and 306.6 mA·h/g, with first-cycle coulombic efficiencies of 81.3% and 79.3%, respectively, along with excellent cycling stability and rate capability. In contrast, the medium softening point asphalt (160 °C) showed limited oxygen incorporation (~5%) and insufficient cross-linking after oxidation, resulting in a densely packed hard carbon with smaller interlayer spacing (3.46 Å) and restricted sodium storage sites, which led to a significantly reduced capacity of 173.2 mA·h/g. This work provides new design principles and theoretical support for optimizing hard carbon anode structures through precise control of the precursor softening point.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025101901
Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) regulated under the Stockholm Convention. Chlorinated chemical production processes are major sources of unintentional HCBD emissions, posing potential threats to ecosystems and human health. This study systematically reviews the formation, emission, and environmental impact of HCBD from such processes. HCBD is widely generated as a by-product during chlorination stages of producing carbon tetrachloride, dichloroacetylene, tri-/tetrachloroethylene, and chlorobenzene, via free-radical mechanisms. It is released through waste gas, wastewater, and solid waste. In the environment, HCBD exhibits multimedia distribution, undergoing long-range atmospheric transport and adsorbing onto soil and sediments, thereby becoming secondary pollution sources. HCBD shows significant bioaccumulation and food-chain magnification; it is toxic to aquatic organisms and causes hepatic and renal damage with potential carcinogenicity in mammals. Effective pollution control requires combined process improvements and end-of-pipe treatments, supplemented by stringent emission standards and life-cycle management. Future research should focus on developing precise emission inventories, elucidating multi-media transport and transformation mechanisms, and assessing composite ecotoxicological effects, thereby providing scientific support for implementing international conventions and formulating effective prevention strategies.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025020901
The intensification of environmental pollution necessitates the development of efficient and sustainable remediation technologies. Piezoelectric-coupled photoelectrocatalysis and piezoelectric-coupled electrocatalysis, which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and integrate with photoelectrocatalytic or electrocatalytic processes, have demonstrated significant potential for environmental remediation. By combining the piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric materials with photocatalysis or electrocatalysis, these technologies markedly improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated or electrogenerated electron-hole pairs, thereby enhancing pollutant degradation. This review explores the working principles of piezoelectric-coupled photoelectrocatalysis and electrocatalysis, highlighting their latest advancements in environmental remediation, including the degradation of organic pollutants and value-added conversions. It also addresses the challenges currently faced in applying these technologies, such as limitations in light transmittance, restricted light absorption ranges, rapid carrier recombination, and the short lifespan of electrodes in electrochemical systems. Finally, potential future research directions are discussed, emphasizing the need for improved material stability, scalable synthesis methods, and a deeper mechanistic understanding to bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical applications.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025011804
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are persistent organic pollutants whose isomers exhibit distinct environmental behaviors, bioaccumulation potentials, and toxic effects due to structural variations. Accurate identification of PFCA isomers is critical for risk assessment and pollution control, yet existing detection methods predominantly rely on standard references, posing challenges for precise analysis of isomers with subtle structural differences. Single-molecule electrochemical sensing via nanopores offers a standard-free approach by correlating molecular volume with current blockade, but its capability to distinguish PFCA isomers remained unverified. This study targeted three sets of PFCA isomers: 4,5,5-trifluoropent-4-enoic acid vs. 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-methylbut-2-enoic acid; 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropanoic acid vs. 4,4,4-trifluorobutanoic acid; and 2-(trifluoromethoxy)acetic acid, 3,3,3-trifluorolactic acid, and (2R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropanoic acid. By engineering nanopore interfaces (WT, R220N, R220Q Aerolysin) and extracting multi-dimensional characteristic parameters, the method achieved near 100% accuracy in identifying all seven isomers. Feature selection further enabled high classification accuracy with low data volumes, laying the foundation for rapid single-molecule detection of PFAS and other emerging contaminants.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605015
The national greenhouse gas voluntary emission reduction trading market was relaunched in 2023, with China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) as the trading unit, serving as a crucial supplement to the national carbon market. The initial phase includes the offshore wind power sector. This study evaluates the CO2 and air pollutant emission reduction effectiveness and economic feasibility of China's offshore wind power industry under the CCER mechanism. Using CCER methodology, baseline scenario analysis, and empirical data from 2020 and projections for 2025, we quantify reductions in CO2 and principal air pollutants (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides) across coastal provinces. Emission inventories are constructed using authoritative grid emission factors. Economic viability is assessed by integrating levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), additional revenues from CCER transactions, and external environmental benefits. Results provide four policy insights: (1) The sector shows a positive trend in emission reduction and economic-environmental contribution, but faces financial deficit risk by 2025 without CCER subsidies; (2) Economically developed coastal provinces exhibit greater development potential; (3) Profitability analysis for 2020 and 2025 indicates sustainable economic returns with appropriate policy support; (4) Among air pollutants, nitrogen oxides reduction is largest, while sulfur dioxide reduction yields the most significant co-benefits. This study offers evidence-based recommendations for strategic planning and policy formulation in China's offshore wind industry.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225264
The high cost of high-purity hydrogen necessitates the utilization of low-cost industrial by-product hydrogen as an alternative gas source to reduce hydrogen storage costs. Industrial by-product hydrogen typically contains impurities such as H2S and CO, yet the poisoning mechanisms of these gases on superlattice hydrogen storage alloys during hydrogen absorption/desorption remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigates the poisoning effects and regeneration behavior of La0.65Mg1.32Ca1.03Ni9Y0.17 superlattice hydrogen storage alloy in atmospheres containing 10^-3 H2S and CO. The experimental protocol comprised 10 poisoning cycles followed by 1 regeneration, repeated to total 20 poisoning cycles and 2 pure hydrogen regenerations. Results show that in pure hydrogen, the alloy's hydrogen storage capacity gradually decreases after 22 cycles but is effectively restored after dehydrogenation at 473 K. In the presence of impurity gases, the hydrogen storage capacity retention rates after 10 poisoning cycles with H2S and CO are 3.56% and 2.71%, respectively; after 20 cycles, these decrease to 3.68% and 1.73%, respectively. After dehydrogenation at 473 K, retention rates recover to 40.35% and 98.27%, respectively. This indicates that poisoning severity follows the order CO > H2S, while regeneration difficulty follows H2S > CO. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that after poisoning, the main phase transforms from AB3 to AB3H, but reverts to AB3 after high-temperature dehydrogenation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that after H2S poisoning, CaS and CaSO4 form on the alloy surface, indicating irreversible chemical adsorption. In contrast, after CO poisoning, no new substances are detected, indicating reversible adsorption. This study clarifies the differentiated poisoning mechanisms of impurity gases and provides theoretical support for the application of rare-earth superlattice hydrogen storage alloys in complex atmospheres.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4105-8
Chiral europium(III) (Eu(III)) complexes, characterized by their f-f transitions and allowed magnetic dipole transitions, exhibit narrowband emission and superior circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with high luminescence dissymmetry factors (g_lum), making them promising for circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) and 3D displays. Here, we report a pair of R/S-Eu(TTA)3DFPO enantiomers, employing β-diketone 1,1,1-trifluoro-3-(2-thenoyl)acetone (TTA) as the main ligand and point-chiral R/S-tert-butyl(6-(diphenylphosphoryl)dibenzo[b,d]furan-4-yl)(phenyl)phosphine-oxide (R/S-DFPO) as ancillary ligands. In toluene, these enantiomers display characteristic narrowband red emission from the 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu(III), with a maximum emission wavelength of 617 nm, a full width at half maximum of 11 nm, a photoluminescence quantum yield of 43%, and pronounced chiroptical response, evidenced by |g_PL| values of 8.0 × 10^-3 around 590 nm (5D0→7F1 transition). Notably, CP-OLEDs fabricated via vacuum deposition achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency of 4.0% and exhibit obvious circularly polarized electroluminescence with |g_EL| values exceeding 1.0 × 10^-2. These results demonstrate that point-chiral phosphine-oxide ligands provide an effective strategy for achieving coordination-stable chiral Eu(III) complexes for high-performance CP-OLEDs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3913-3
The depletion of fossil resources necessitates the development of sustainable polymers from renewable feedstocks. Eugenol, a biomass-derived compound, serves as an ideal platform molecule due to its reactive allyl group and rigid aromatic scaffold. This study introduces a chiral Pd/Wei-Phos catalytic system for the helix-selective living polymerization of achiral eugenol-based diazo acetate monomer, delivering helical polycarbenes in high yield with controlled molecular weight (Mn), narrow dispersity (Đ), and optical activity. Post-polymerization functionalization was achieved via thiol-ene click chemistry, enabling efficient incorporation of diverse functional groups (carboxyl, ester, ketone, and diol) with high conversion (>99%). Additionally, an innovative pentaerythritol tetra(3-mercaptopropionic acid) (PETMP) cross-linked eugenol-based polycarbene system has been constructed. By controlling the polymerization degree and cross-linking density of the polymer, the mechanical properties (tensile strength can reach 15 MPa) of the cross-linked materials can be easily adjusted. Moreover, the cross-linked films exhibit excellent chiral separation ability and can be used for the enantioseparation of enantiomers of various chiral alcohols, with enantiomeric excess (ee) up to 96%. This not only contributes an innovative strategy for designing high-performance functional materials, but also provides inspiring ideas for the development of biomass-derived high-performance materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3956-0
Chiral organic-inorganic hybrid metal halides (OIHMHs) are multifunctional materials with structural diversity and chiroptical properties. However, current chiral OIHMHs predominantly exhibit circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) in the visible spectrum, while ultraviolet and near-infrared (NIR) CPL remains challenging. Here, we report lead-free chiral zero-dimensional (0D) OIHMHs, (R/S-DACH)2In2Br10:Sb3+/Yb3+ (DACH = 1,2-diaminocyclohexane), featuring spectrally tunable CPL emissions covering visible to NIR regions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism, and CPL spectroscopy revealed that robust hydrogen-bonding interactions between organic cations and inorganic emitters are crucial for chirality expression. Sb3+-doped (R/S-DACH)2In2Br10 single crystals exhibited intense broadband emission at 644 nm from the 3P1 to 1S0 transition of Sb3+, achieving a record photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 49.9% (two orders of magnitude higher than pristine crystals) and a luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum) of ±7.1×10−3. Notably, Sb3+/Yb3+ co-doped crystals simultaneously generated dual-band CPL at 644 nm (glum = ±2.1×10−2) and 994 nm (glum = ±6.8×10−3), representing an important example of NIR-CPL in OIHMHs. An LED device based on (R-DACH)2In2Br10:2.7%Sb3+ exhibited bright orange emission with a color-rendering index of 78.4 and excellent spectral and operational stabilities. These findings establish a design strategy for broadband CPL and expand applications of chiral metal halides in advanced optoelectronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3850-3
Chiral nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention for antibacterial applications due to their unique chiroptical properties. Here, we report a novel spatiotemporally precise synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) strategy using circularly polarized light (CPL)-activated chiral molybdenum-doped carbon dots (L-Mo-CDs and D-Mo-CDs). These chiral carbon dots were synthesized using chiral tartaric acid as a precursor. Notably, D-Mo-CDs selectively respond to left-handed CPL (LCP), while L-Mo-CDs respond to right-handed CPL (RCP). Under CPL irradiation, D-Mo-CDs exhibit enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and a higher photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to L-Mo-CDs. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrate that D-Mo-CDs possess excellent bactericidal efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In vivo wound healing studies in a mouse model reveal remarkable therapeutic efficacy, attributed to reduced inflammation, accelerated angiogenesis, and enhanced collagen deposition. This work introduces a paradigm for utilizing chiral carbon dots in precision antibacterial therapy, addressing the limitations of conventional chiral nanomaterials such as poor biocompatibility and low photothermal conversion. The findings underscore the potential of metal-doped chiral carbon dots for advanced biomedical applications, offering a spatiotemporally controllable approach to combat bacterial infections without promoting resistance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3879-5
Stimuli-responsive circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials are pivotal for investigating excited-state chirality and advancing optoelectronic applications. However, achieving comprehensive modulation of chiroptical properties within a single system under a single external stimulus remains a significant challenge. Here, electric-field-responsive helical ferroelectric liquid crystals are developed by incorporating diverse chiral emitter dopants into the prototypical liquid crystal mesogen 2,3′,4′,5′-tetrafluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl 2,6-difluoro-4-(5-propyl-1,3-dioxan-2-yl)benzoate (DIO), known for its high dielectric anisotropy and multiple mesophases. By co-doping different types of chiral molecules with opposite handedness, a competitive chiral field is generated that responds differentially to the applied voltage, enabling continuous modulation of the helical pitch and reversible inversion of handedness. This work provides the integrated demonstration of single-stimulus regulation of on/off gating, magnitude tuning, and reversible sign inversion in a single liquid-crystal system, opening a pathway toward intelligent chiroptical materials.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509051
Recyclables constitute a significant fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) and hold substantial potential for resource utilization and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, contributing to carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. However, reported GHG emission factors (EFs) for various recyclables vary widely across databases and literature, ranging from -19,110 to -125 kgCO2-eq·t⁻¹, with significant differences both among categories and within the same category, complicating accurate accounting. This study systematically integrates literature data on EFs for different recyclable categories, focusing on identifying factors causing intra-category variability. Data were collected from global databases (ecoinvent, WARM, CPCD, NAEI) and peer-reviewed studies over the past two decades, normalized to a functional unit of 1 tonne of recyclable. Statistical analysis (mean ± standard deviation) provided reference ranges for each category. Results show paper recyclables EFs range from -3,140 to 270 kgCO2-eq·t⁻¹, with corrugated cardboard and writing paper exhibiting higher absolute values than packaging paper due to structural strength and resource value. Plastic recyclables EFs range from -3,096 to -566 kgCO2-eq·t⁻¹, with EPS showing the highest reduction potential, followed by PET and PVC, then HDPE, LDPE, PP, and other plastics. Key influencing factors include functional unit definition, accounting scenario, system boundary, electricity emission factor selection, and calculation assumptions. The study recommends selecting EFs matching the specific accounting scenario and performing error analysis. Data gaps remain for LDPE, EPS, and other plastics, necessitating further experimental or field data. To enhance accuracy, calibration methods such as process-level and life-cycle inventory data calibration are proposed. This work provides a scientific basis for EF selection and calibration in GHG accounting of recyclables.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508081
Traditional soil thermal remediation requires high temperatures (>300 °C), which can damage soil structure, increase energy consumption, and elevate carbon emissions. This study developed a Cu–CeOx/TiO2 trimetallic catalyst to enable low-temperature thermal remediation of naphthalene-contaminated soil. Using nano-TiO2 as a support, catalysts with varying Cu/Ce ratios were prepared via impregnation-calcination. Material characterization (XRD, TEM, XPS, etc.) revealed that Cu and Ce incorporation induced crystal defects in TiO2, enhancing lattice oxygen activity and electron mobility, thereby generating more oxygen vacancies and hydroxyl radicals. Performance evaluation using a TGA-GC-FTIR-MS platform showed that the catalyst with Cu:Ce = 1:1 achieved the best remediation efficiency, reducing the thermal remediation temperature from 250 °C to 211.5 °C and increasing the removal rate by an average of 19.49% compared to the non-catalyst group at the same temperature. The catalyst facilitated stepwise degradation of naphthalene into smaller organic molecules (alcohols, carboxylic acids, aldehydes) and ultimately into H2O and CO2. This work demonstrates that Cu–CeOx/TiO2 significantly lowers the energy demand of thermal remediation, offering a promising approach for low-carbon remediation of organic-contaminated soils.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509053
The escalating global generation of waste plastics necessitates robust recycling strategies to mitigate environmental impact and advance low-carbon development. This study employs life cycle assessment (LCA) and emission factor methodologies to quantify the carbon footprints of six distinct waste plastic valorization pathways: mechanical recycling, pyrolysis, alcoholysis, co-coking, solid fuel production, and direct incineration. The functional unit is one tonne of waste plastic, with system boundaries encompassing transportation, pretreatment, and resource utilization. The model accounts for indirect emissions from energy consumption, direct emissions from plastic decomposition, and carbon offsets from material or energy recovery. Results indicate that pyrolysis yields the highest carbon offset of approximately -3,024 kgCO2e per tonne, while mechanical recycling achieves an 88% material recovery rate and a net carbon offset of -991.4 kgCO2e. Net carbon emissions per tonne of waste plastic rank as follows: direct incineration (1,104 kgCO2e) > co-coking (185.8 kgCO2e) > solid fuel (115.4 kgCO2e) > alcoholysis (-259.5 kgCO2e) > mechanical recycling (-991.4 kgCO2e) > pyrolysis (-2,592 kgCO2e). These findings demonstrate that pyrolysis offers superior carbon reduction benefits compared to incineration, exhibiting a net-negative carbon footprint across its life cycle. The study provides a scientific basis for selecting low-carbon waste plastic valorization routes and informs carbon trading and emission reduction strategies in the solid waste sector.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025120801
The interaction between microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (PSDOM) and iron oxides in soil environments can modulate its photosensitization effects, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study investigated the influence of hematite with distinct morphologies—flake-shaped (HNPs) and cubic (HNCs)—on the photosensitization of polystyrene-derived dissolved organic matter (PSDOM). Under 500 W mercury lamp irradiation, both hematite morphologies promoted PSDOM degradation, with HNCs exhibiting superior performance: total organic carbon (TOC) decreased from 18.4 mg·L−1 to 12.3 mg·L−1 within 90 min, compared to 13.3 mg·L−1 for HNPs. Three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that hematite alters the humification process, thereby modifying photosensitization. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy identified the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2), hydroxyl radicals (·OH), and carbon-centered radicals (CH3C(=O)OO·). HNCs significantly enhanced 1O2 production, while HNPs favored ·OH generation; both inhibited CH3C(=O)OO· formation. Quantitative analysis via high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that the steady-state concentration of 1O2 was highest with HNCs, reaching 2.80 times that of the PSDOM control, whereas ·OH concentration peaked with HNPs at 1.98 times the control. Notably, the steady-state concentration of 1O2 was approximately three orders of magnitude higher than that of ·OH. These findings elucidate the morphology-dependent role of hematite in PSDOM photosensitization, providing mechanistic insights into the environmental fate of microplastic-derived organic matter in complex soil systems.
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.0254-6108.2025100102
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants of concern in China, and drinking water is a major exposure pathway. This study investigated 17 PFAS in surface water from 12 drinking water sources along the Hubei section of the Yangtze River mainstream during dry, normal, and wet seasons. Total PFAS concentrations ranged from 10.84 to 41.05 ng/L (dry), nd to 62.60 ng/L (normal), and 6.77 to 29.00 ng/L (wet). Predominant compounds were PFBS, PFOA, PFHxA, PFBA, and PFOS. Lake-type sources exhibited significantly higher concentrations than river-type sources, and dry and normal seasons showed higher levels than wet season. Compared to other Chinese sources, PFAS levels in Hubei were moderate, with fluorochemical plant inputs and population density as likely influencing factors. Ecological and health risk assessments indicated acceptable risks. In four selected water supply systems, PFAS distribution from source to tap was examined; PFOA, PFBA, PFHxA, and PFBS were dominant, and secondary water supply did not significantly introduce or remove PFAS. Health risks from tap water were within acceptable limits.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3870-9
High-purity (HP) alloys are critical for next-generation technologies requiring extreme reliability, yet trace impurities at parts-per-million levels can severely degrade mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and long-term stability. This review comprehensively examines recent advances in HP alloy development, covering purification approaches, processing strategies, and performance optimization. It details how trace impurities influence microstructural evolution and material properties, and discusses techniques for achieving ultralow impurity levels, including vacuum melting, zone refining, and chemical vapor deposition. The review highlights impurity sensitivity across major alloy systems—such as aluminum, titanium, zirconium, copper, and steels—and summarizes strategies to mitigate impurity-induced degradation, including advanced alloy design, grain refinement, and surface treatments. Advanced characterization techniques for detecting and quantifying impurities are also outlined. The review emphasizes the essential role of HP alloys in advanced structural and functional materials, and identifies key challenges and future directions, including the need for standardized purity definitions and cost-effective purification methods. This synthesis provides a roadmap for researchers and engineers aiming to harness the full potential of high-purity alloys in demanding applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3898-7
Platinum (Pt) is the benchmark catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in acidic electrolytes, but its performance in alkaline media is limited by excessively strong hydrogen binding energy (HBE). Here, we report oxygen-modified ultrasmall RuCu nanocrystals (RuCu/C-200) as an efficient catalyst for both alkaline HER and HOR. The RuCu/C-200 catalyst exhibits excellent HER activity with an overpotential of 9 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 19.7 mV dec−1. For HOR, it achieves a 4.2-fold higher exchange current density than the unannealed sample. Mechanistic studies reveal that the optimized HBE, hydroxyl binding energy (OHBE), and strongly hydrogen-bonded interfacial water, induced by oxygen modification, are the intrinsic determinants of the improved catalytic activity. This work underscores the potential of combining nanoscale structural design with oxygen modification to develop high-performance Ru-based electrocatalysts for both alkaline HER and HOR.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3790-5
Near-infrared (NIR) phosphors with high quantum efficiency (QE) and thermal robustness are critical for phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs). Here, a Cr3+-activated Lu2BaAl4SiO12 (LBASO) garnet phosphor is engineered via chemical unit cosubstitution of [Ba2+-Si4+] for [Lu3+-Al3+] in Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG), inducing a strong crystal field that yields NIR emission at 705 nm. The optimized LBASO:0.07Cr3+ exhibits an internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of 84.82% and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 46.02%. Notably, it demonstrates anti-thermal quenching (ATQ) with 126.03% of its initial intensity at 498 K under 442 nm excitation, attributed to a wide band gap, weak electron-phonon coupling, defect trap energy levels, high structural rigidity, and optimized electron population distribution. A NIR pc-LED fabricated with this phosphor achieves an output power of 134.99 mW and photoelectric conversion efficiency of 11.4% at 100 mA drive current. These results underscore the potential of LBASO:Cr3+ for applications in plant lighting, night vision, and nondestructive analysis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3851-3
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) face critical challenges from zinc anode instability, including corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), parasitic byproduct formation, and uncontrolled dendrite growth. To address these issues, we developed a multifunctional cerium-based metal-organic framework (Ce-MOF) coating for zinc anodes. The coating features an ordered porous structure and inherent properties that mitigate HER, suppress side reactions, and inhibit dendrite formation. Symmetric cells using Ce-MOF/Zn demonstrated exceptional cycling stability for over 2060 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 with a low hysteresis polarization of 26 mV. In full cells with an I2@AC cathode, the Ce-MOF/Zn||I2@AC achieved outstanding cycling stability of 28,550 cycles at 5 A g−1, with 91% capacity retention (109.6 mAh g−1). Through integrated characterization employing in-situ optical microscopy, ex-situ XRD, SEM, and DFT calculations, we elucidated the multifunctional mechanism: the Ce-MOF coating facilitates preferential (002)-oriented Zn deposition to suppress dendrites, reduces Zn2+ desolvation energy to enhance deposition kinetics, and modulates interfacial chemistry to mitigate HER and corrosion. This work establishes Ce-MOF coatings as a simple yet powerful strategy for developing high-performance zinc anodes, providing critical insights for advancing practical AZIB technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3944-9
Hard carbon (HC) is a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) but suffers from low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Here, we report a dual-functional strategy combining surface engineering and solution chemical pre-sodiation. A graphitic carbon coating on HC acts as a conductive buffer network and shields surface defects, while sodium biphenyl (Na-Bp) pre-sodiation drives sodium ions into the material via a potential difference, inducing a pre-SEI layer that matures into a thin, dense, NaF-rich inorganic SEI during cycling. This approach compensates for irreversible sodium loss and enhances cycling stability. The pre-sodiated electrode (pCH4-HC) achieves an ICE of 99.5% and a reversible capacity of 321.7 mAh g−1, compared to 54.2% for untreated HC. Long-term cycling shows 74.0% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 300 mA g−1. In full-cells with NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 (NFM) cathode, pCH4-HC||NFM delivers 81.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, demonstrating excellent stability and rate performance. This dual-strategy approach validates the adaptability of pre-sodiation technology for high-performance SIBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3787-x
Circumventing the tumor's defensive antioxidant system and achieving precision cancer therapy remain major challenges in high-efficacy tumor treatments. Here, we propose a synergistic strategy integrating non-oxidative physical ablation and oxidative chemical intervention. An acid-responsive self-collapsing nanomineral PCSB is constructed, comprising poly(acrylic acid)-modified calcium sulfite (CaSO3) and a pH-responsive photoacoustic (PA) therapeutic molecule, aza-BDP. In the tumor acidic microenvironment, PCSB decomposes, releasing PA agents and SO2/Ca2+, thereby enabling combined non-oxidative mechanical damage from PA therapy and oxidative chemical damage from SO2 gas and Ca2+ ions. This dual-action approach effectively reduces resistance conferred by tumor antioxidant mechanisms and improves treatment precision. The study presents a synergistic physical-chemical strategy with significant potential for solid tumor elimination.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3885-8
Photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and water oxidation reaction (WOR) from water and air offers a sustainable alternative to conventional anthraquinone processes. However, the intrinsic kinetic mismatch—fast ORR (microseconds to milliseconds) versus sluggish WOR (seconds)—limits overall efficiency. Here, we report aliphatic acylhydrazone covalent organic frameworks (AA-COFs) synthesized by coupling aliphatic hydrazides with benzotrithiophene motifs via acylhydrazone linkages. The pore walls are decorated with abundant S, O, and N heteroatoms, enhancing affinity toward both O2 and H2O, thereby improving the kinetics of both half-reactions. Through single-carbon atomic engineering, the optimized AA-COF achieves a trade-off between ORR and WOR kinetics, enabling efficient overall H2O2 photosynthesis from water and air without sacrificial agents. The material exhibits a H2O2 production rate of 4777 μmol g−1 h−1 and an O2 utilization/conversion efficiency of 99.3%. This work demonstrates that rational design of heteroatom-rich COFs can synchronize ORR and WOR, overcoming a major bottleneck in artificial photosynthesis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3792-6
The rapid expansion of home-based digital health monitoring necessitates electrodes capable of simultaneous, accurate acquisition of electrophysiological signals and body temperature. Conventional single-function electrodes, including metal block, gel, and Ag/AgCl types, suffer from limitations such as restricted movement, skin irritation, signal degradation over time, and poor permeability for prolonged use. To overcome these challenges, we developed a low-cost, multifunctional flexible electrode enabling concurrent body temperature and electrophysiological signal monitoring without cross-interference. Body temperature is assessed via visual colorimetric evaluation and precisely measured using a custom smartphone application. The electrode features high air permeability, ultra-thin architecture, superior flexibility, antibacterial properties, and strong skin adhesion, while maintaining low interfacial impedance for stable, long-term acquisition of high-fidelity signals such as electrocardiography (ECG) and surface electromyography (sEMG). Integrated with a Raspberry Pi platform and a hybrid convolutional neural network-long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) algorithm, the system achieves intelligent arrhythmia detection with 99.30% accuracy. This novel electrode provides a powerful tool for multifunctional sensing of temperature and physiological electrical signals, with significant potential for wearable physiological tracking applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4053-5
The rapid and efficient removal of radioactive iodine species from water is critical for nuclear waste treatment, particularly given the short half-life of 131I (8.02 days). Traditional porous inorganic materials exhibit low uptake capacities (<1 g g−1), while porous frameworks such as MOFs and COFs achieve high capacities (>5 g g−1) but suffer from slow removal kinetics, often requiring hours to capture 80% of iodine. This study introduces nonporous naphthobipyrrole-based organic cages (NBP-Cages) that demonstrate ultrafast iodine removal from water. Among the materials tested, type-II Me-NBP-Cage and Et-NBP-Cage, prepared via reprecipitation, exhibit amorphous morphology with small particle sizes (2–6 μm) and low BET surface areas (33.4 and 2.3 m2 g−1, respectively). Despite their nonporosity, these materials achieve >99% iodine removal within seconds, outperforming previously reported sorbents. The adsorption performance correlates with particle size and morphology: amorphous, small particles with effective surface gaps show superior kinetics. The materials are recyclable; for instance, Et-NBP-Cage can be regenerated by washing with acetonitrile, maintaining removal efficiency over five cycles. This work highlights the potential of nonporous organic cages as high-performance iodine sorbents, addressing the critical need for materials that combine high uptake capacity with rapid removal kinetics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3776-9
Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) are fundamental building blocks for flexible electronics, offering mechanical flexibility, biocompatibility, chemical tunability, and compatibility with large-area, cost-effective fabrication. However, their widespread adoption in high-density integrated systems is hindered by the thermionic limit of carrier injection, which constrains the subthreshold swing (SS) to a minimum of 60 mV/dec at room temperature, posing a critical barrier to ultra-low-power operation. In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Electronics, Deng et al. report the realization of organic thin-film tunnel transistors (OTFTTs) that decisively break this Boltzmann tyranny. The breakthrough is enabled by an interfacial molecule decoupling strategy, introducing a high-ionization-energy molecular interlayer, N,N'-bis(2-phenylethyl)perylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (BPE-PTCDI), between the high-work-function metal oxide (MoO3) source and the p-type organic semiconductor (2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT)) channel. This interlayer passivates the interface, minimizing interfacial gap states and alleviating Fermi-level pinning, thereby creating a clean heterojunction with a lowered tunneling barrier. This facilitates efficient quantum mechanical band-to-band tunneling for carrier injection at low supply voltages, instead of relying on traditional thermionic emission. The OTFTTs exhibit sub-thermionic SS values below 60 mV/dec, enabling high electrical performance at low operating voltages. This work provides a viable pathway for beyond-thermionic electronics, with potential applications in flexible displays, wearable health monitors, brain-computer interfaces, and distributed sensor networks, addressing the critical challenge of power dissipation in flexible systems.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202505108
Open-pit mining in high-cold regions causes severe ecological degradation, including vegetation loss, soil structure destruction, and frequent freeze-thaw disturbances, complicating ecosystem recovery. This review systematically synthesizes the current status, theories, and key restoration technologies for degraded ecosystems in high-cold mining areas. Comparative analysis with typical high-cold degraded ecosystems worldwide reveals that high-cold mining areas face challenges such as frequent freeze-thaw cycles, hydrological disruption, wind erosion, and difficult vegetation establishment. We propose strengthening aboveground-belowground synergistic restoration: (1) aboveground restoration should focus on screening cold-resistant native plants and optimizing mixed community configurations, combined with plant growth-promoting multi-microbial consortia to facilitate vegetation recovery; (2) belowground restoration should be based on engineering soil profile reconstruction, integrating physical-chemical-biological multi-dimensional remediation techniques to achieve aboveground and belowground community reconstruction and functional recovery; (3) a progressive restoration framework is established, with short-term goals targeting soil stabilization and structure improvement, medium-term goals focusing on constructing multifunctional plant-soil communities, and long-term goals achieving self-sustaining, maintenance-free restored ecosystems. Finally, addressing the unclear mechanisms of aboveground-belowground synergistic interactions and insufficient environmental adaptability of restoration technologies, two prospects are proposed: (1) deepening research on aboveground-belowground synergistic mechanisms to reveal interactions between cold-tolerant microorganisms and plants; (2) advancing the development of characteristic restoration technologies adapted to high-cold environments.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510034
Phosphonate wastewater, characterized by stable C–P bonds, poses significant environmental risks due to its resistance to degradation and potential to contribute to eutrophication. This study developed a chloride-enhanced Fe(II)/PMS/H2O2 system for the oxidative degradation of 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC) and simultaneous recovery of phosphorus as iron phosphate (FePO4). Under optimal conditions (0.1 mmol/L PBTC, 1.0 mmol/L Fe(II), 0.5 mmol/L PMS, 0.5 mmol/L H2O2, 10 mmol/L NaCl, initial pH 3.0, 60 min), total phosphorus (TP) removal reached 100%, with phosphorus nearly completely recovered as FePO4 precipitate. Increasing NaCl concentration and temperature enhanced TP removal, while pH significantly influenced removal efficiency and product speciation; acidic conditions (pH < 4.3) favored FePO4 precipitation. Coexisting Ca2+ and Mg2+ had negligible effects, whereas HCO3− and humic acid (HA) inhibited TP removal in a concentration-dependent manner. Radical quenching and electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses identified hydroxyl radicals (•OH), ferryl ion (Fe(IV)=O), sulfate radicals (SO4•−), and chlorine radicals (Cl•) as primary reactive species, with •OH playing a dominant role. Chloride introduction promoted the generation of multiple reactive species, and Cl• and its derivative Cl2•− directly attacked the C–P bond and phosphonate group, facilitating phosphorus release as PO43− and subsequent FePO4 formation. The system's feasibility was validated using actual industrial circulating cooling water. This study provides a novel approach for phosphonate wastewater treatment and phosphorus recovery.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509031
This study establishes a carbon footprint calculation method and an environmental benefit assessment model for the dismantling process of waste televisions (TVs) based on life cycle assessment (LCA). Activity data on energy consumption and material flows were collected from typical treatment enterprises via field investigation. The ReCiPe 2016 model was applied to quantify midpoint and endpoint environmental impacts. Results show that the dismantling and recycling process yields net environmental benefits in most impact categories. At the midpoint level, significant reductions were observed in fossil resource scarcity (−26,494.23 kg oil eq), freshwater ecotoxicity (−2.21×10^4 kg 1,4-DCB), and greenhouse gas emissions (−956.53 kg CO2 eq). At the endpoint level, reductions in human health damage (−1.59×10^4 DALY), ecosystem damage (−2.35×10^4 species·yr), and resource depletion costs (−4.22×10^4 USD) were achieved. Carbon footprint analysis indicates that the carbon footprint per TV ranges from 0.231 to 0.247 kg CO2 eq per unit, with electricity consumption as the dominant emission source. Sensitivity analysis reveals that electricity consumption significantly influences the carbon footprint. Finally, emission reduction recommendations are proposed from aspects of equipment upgrade and energy management, providing theoretical basis and practical guidance for low-carbon treatment of electronic waste.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511002
To treat large-air-volume, low-concentration volatile organic compounds (VOCs) containing tetrachloroethylene (PCE) generated from rubber-metal bonding, this study systematically investigated the adsorption-desorption behavior and interaction mechanisms of PCE, toluene, and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) on granular activated carbon (GAC). Static adsorption experiments showed that PCE adsorption capacity reached 556.6 mg·g−1, while dynamic multi-component adsorption capacity was 179.6 mg·g−1. Kinetic analysis indicated that PCE adsorption was controlled by both intraparticle diffusion and external surface adsorption, whereas toluene and MIBK were primarily intraparticle diffusion-limited. During high-temperature nitrogen desorption, PCE underwent dechlorination, hydrogenation, and recombination, producing trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, and HCl, with HCl accounting for 3.61% of the chlorine molar content in adsorbed PCE. After four adsorption-desorption cycles, the iodine value of GAC dropped below the industry standard of 600 mg·g−1; however, water washing and alkali immersion extended the cycle life to 8 and 9 cycles, respectively. The HCl generation pattern in co-adsorption systems was consistent with single-PCE systems. A regeneration process combining alkali immersion and water washing was proposed and integrated into an engineering strategy. Compared to conventional activated carbon adsorption coupled with RTO incineration, the proposed classification strategy reduced annual costs by 49.5×10⁴ CNY. This work provides a cost-effective and safe solution for Cl-VOCs treatment.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511010
Complete catalytic oxidation of methane requires catalysts with high low-temperature activity, long-term thermal stability, and excellent water resistance for industrial application. This study constructed supported Pd-Ru/S-1 bimetallic catalysts using hydrophobic all-silica zeolite Silicalite-1 as support. Systematic catalytic performance tests evaluated methane oxidation activity, thermal stability, and water resistance, while multiple physicochemical characterizations revealed the reaction mechanism. Results showed that the catalyst with Pd/Ru ratio of 2:1 (2Pd-1Ru/S-1) exhibited optimal comprehensive performance, achieving T90 of 380 °C, maintaining 94% methane conversion at 375 °C for 48 h, and demonstrating excellent water resistance. Mechanistic studies indicated that PdO is the main active phase, and the reaction follows the Eley-Rideal (E-R) mechanism. The electronic synergy between Pd and Ru enhances the interaction between PdO and the support, effectively inhibiting sintering and water poisoning of active components. This study aims to provide a new strategy for industrial catalyst design to advance the industrialization of low-concentration methane catalytic technology, addressing its climate and pollution impacts.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60643-3
The adsorption behavior and electron transfer mechanism of CO on Ptn/γ-Al2O3 catalysts (n = 4, 13) were systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, complemented by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, electron difference density (EDD), and charge decomposition analysis (CDA). The study reveals that Pt cluster size critically governs the adsorption configuration, electron transfer, and C–O vibrational frequency. For small Pt4 sub-nanometric clusters, highly unsaturated Pt atoms exhibit strong d-electron back-donation, leading to substantial filling of CO π* antibonding orbitals, significant weakening of the C–O bond, and a redshift in IR frequency. Conversely, large Pt13 clusters, characterized by dense structures and electron delocalization, exhibit weakened back-donation, enhanced C–O bonding, and a blueshift. The electron transfer intensity follows the order: linear < bridge < multi-terminal adsorption. Bridge adsorption is most sensitive to cluster size, displaying an IR blueshift of 81 cm−1 when Pt atoms increase from 4 to 13. Multi-terminal adsorption shows stable frequencies due to a 'saturation effect'. This study establishes a comprehensive correlation among Pt size, electronic structure, adsorption properties, and infrared response, providing atomic-scale theoretical guidance for designing efficient Pt-based catalysts with optimized CO adsorption strength and resistance to poisoning.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60695-0
The direct carbonylation of glycerol with CO2 to glycerol carbonate represents a promising route for CO2 utilization, addressing both carbon emission reduction and the synthesis of value-added chemicals. However, the reaction is thermodynamically limited, resulting in low glycerol conversion, necessitating the use of coupling agents and appropriate catalysts. This review systematically examines recent progress in homogeneous catalysts (inorganic and organic bases) and heterogeneous catalysts (Zn, Cu, Ce, La, Mg, noble metals, modified zeolites, non-metallic materials) for this transformation. Strategies such as metal oxide modification, support optimization, precursor selection, and construction of acidic-basic sites are analyzed for enhancing catalytic performance. The effects of coupling agents including acetonitrile, adiponitrile, 2-cyanopyridine, MgCO3, CaC2, and NaHCO3 are summarized. Notably, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), Zn(QTf)2, and metal composite oxides like ZnO-CeO2 have demonstrated promising catalytic performance. Future research directions include developing organometallic complexes or composite metal oxides with highly dispersed active sites and tailored morphologies to modulate surface area, pore size, and acidity/basicity; optimizing coupling agents or designing novel membrane reactors to improve glycerol conversion; and introducing polar solvents to enhance reactant adsorption and activation. These approaches provide valuable references for catalyst design and reaction system optimization in the carbonylation of glycerol with CO2.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025032004
This study proposes an integrated source apportionment framework that synergistically integrates pollution source classification, atmospheric dispersion modeling, backward trajectory analysis, weighted trajectory clustering, and forward contribution estimation to accurately target peak reduction at localized air pollution hotspots. Applied at the County-Town Scale in Beijing, this method was employed to investigate pollution episodes at the Tongzhou Dongguan monitoring site. Source classification relied on a pollution fingerprint database and temporal concentration profiles, while local contributions were quantified through combined air quality modeling and monitoring data. Forward and backward trajectory analyses enabled the identification of potential source regions and key contributors. Results indicate that construction dust, road dust, and emissions from the catering industry were the dominant local sources, with construction and road dust contributing most prominently to PM2.5 concentrations. Furthermore, abnormal PM2.5 increases were closely linked to low boundary layer height, weak winds, and high humidity, emphasizing the role of meteorological conditions in pollution accumulation. The proposed framework proves effective in pinpointing local pollution sources and offers a scientific basis for targeted air quality management at finer spatial scales.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025032601
This study investigated the pollution characteristics of chlorate and perchlorate in tea from Anhui region and assessed the health risks associated with tea consumption. A total of 132 tea samples, including green tea (n=89), black tea (n=30), yellow tea (n=10), and white tea (n=3), were collected from major tea-producing areas. Chlorate and perchlorate levels were quantified using isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Chlorate was detected in 15.9% of samples, with concentrations ranging from not detected to 0.040 mg·kg−1, and no samples exceeded the regulatory limit. Perchlorate was detected in 100% of samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.011 to 1.611 mg·kg−1, and 2.3% of samples exceeded the limit. Pollution characteristics analysis revealed that perchlorate levels were significantly correlated with tea type and geographical origin, with environmental contamination in tea-growing areas being the primary determinant. A significant positive correlation was also observed between chlorate and perchlorate levels. Health risk assessments were conducted for the general tea-consuming population, sub-groups loyal to specific tea types (green and black tea), and sub-groups preferring local tea from high-pollution regions (Lu'an City and central Anhui). Assessments were based on mean and 95th percentile (P95) exposure levels. For chlorate, the maximum hazard quotient (HQ) was 0.003, far below 1, indicating negligible risk. For perchlorate, all HQ values were below 1, regardless of tea type or region, based on both mean and P95 levels, using the Chinese provisional tolerable daily intake (tTDI). However, perchlorate contamination in central Anhui, particularly Lu'an City, warrants continued monitoring due to elevated levels and occasional exceedances.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025032401
Diazepam (DZP), a benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, has been a persistent contaminant in fishery water environments. In China, DZP is classified as a veterinary drug that must not be detected in animal-derived foods, yet it is frequently found in aquatic products, posing significant risks to ecological health and food safety. This review systematically summarizes the current pollution status of DZP in fishery water and its adverse effects on aquatic organisms, emphasizing its persistence in both water and aquatic products. The paper comprehensively examines advances in detection techniques, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), as well as treatment technologies such as adsorption, photolysis, chemical oxidation, and biodegradation. Critical gaps remain in the integration of these technologies for practical remediation. The review underscores the urgent need for enhanced monitoring and risk assessment of DZP contamination, alongside the development of more efficient and scalable treatment methods. By consolidating current knowledge, this work provides technical support for aquatic organism protection and fishery water management, and serves as a reference for future research and technological innovation in this field.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025032504
The environmental persistence and ecotoxicity of diclofenac sodium (DCF), a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, necessitate efficient removal strategies. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as promising adsorbents. Here, a novel nanoribbon COF (COF-TFPPy-DGCl) was synthesized via condensation of 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)pyrene and 1,3-diaminoguanidine hydrochloride. The material was characterized by SEM, TGA, FT-IR, and PXRD. Batch adsorption experiments evaluated the effects of pH, contact time, and initial concentration. COF-TFPPy-DGCl exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 370 mg·g−1 for DCF, with capacity decreasing as pH increased. Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, and equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir isotherm. Selectivity tests demonstrated a DCF removal rate of 96.75%, significantly higher than for ciprofloxacin and bisphenol A (<20%). The adsorbent retained 80% of its capacity after five regeneration cycles, indicating high stability. Mechanistic studies revealed that adsorption is driven by a synergistic combination of electrostatic interactions (dominant), π-π stacking, and hydrogen bonding, facilitated by uniformly distributed active sites. Rapid equilibrium was achieved within 30 minutes. These findings establish COF-TFPPy-DGCl as a highly selective, stable, and regenerable adsorbent for DCF removal from water, offering a theoretical basis for designing advanced COF-based water treatment materials.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025051307
This study investigates the ionic concentration characteristics and sources of atmospheric precipitation in Changsha, China, based on samples collected from December 2019 to November 2021. The total dissolved solids (TDS) in precipitation ranged from 51.71 to 813.40 μeq·L−1, with a volume-weighted mean (VWM) concentration of 245.58 μeq·L−1. The VWM ionic concentrations followed the order: Ca2+ > SO4^2− > NO3^− > HCO3^− > K+ > Na+ > Cl− > Mg2+. Ca2+ and SO4^2− together accounted for 55.76% of the total ionic mass. Seasonal variation of total ionic concentration was highest in winter and lowest in spring, following the order winter > autumn > summer > spring. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive correlations between SO4^2− and NO3^− (r = 0.78) and between Ca2+ and Mg2+ (r = 0.70), suggesting common sources. Principal component analysis and enrichment factor (EF) analysis indicated that SO4^2− and NO3^− predominantly originated from anthropogenic activities, with contribution rates of 99.5% and 95.4%, respectively, likely from coal combustion and industrial emissions. Ca2+ and K+ were mainly terrestrial, with contribution rates of 99.2% and 98.3%, respectively, from soil and biomass burning. Mg2+ had dual sources: 68.8% terrestrial and 31.2% marine. Cl− exhibited an EFmarine of 0.74 and EFsoil of 50.20, indicating a dominant marine source contributing 98% of its input. These findings provide a scientific basis for understanding regional atmospheric pollution and supporting environmental management strategies.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607017
Distillers' grains, the largest organic solid waste stream in the brewing industry, require efficient low-carbon valorization to support China's Dual Carbon Goals. This study employs life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify CO2 emissions and carbon reduction benefits of two mainstream routes: pyrolysis to biochar and fermentation to organic fertilizer. Based on public process data, the total life-cycle CO2 emission for biochar production from 1 t of distillers' grains is 250.02 kg, with a carbon sequestration reduction of 120.29 kg, demonstrating superior long-term carbon fixation. In contrast, organic fertilizer production emits 536.14 kg CO2 per ton, achieving a carbon reduction of only 86.22 kg, indicating inferior mitigation performance. Techno-economic analysis reveals net profits of 471.97 CNY/t for biochar and 822.27 CNY/t for organic fertilizer, showing that the organic fertilizer route offers higher profitability. Both pathways effectively reduce CO2 emissions, with biochar prioritizing environmental sustainability and organic fertilizer excelling economically. This study provides data-driven insights for selecting organic solid waste recycling strategies, promoting low-carbon technologies, and establishing circular economy models in the brewing industry.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607019
This study investigated the effects of biochar on volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production, biogas composition, physicochemical properties of the fermentation broth, and microbial community structure through batch anaerobic fermentation experiments using food waste as the substrate. The results demonstrated that the addition of biochar (1 g/L) significantly enhanced VFAs production, with the total VFAs concentration reaching 2150 mg/L in the biochar group, which was 30.2% higher than that of the control group (1651 mg/L). Acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid were identified as the primary VFAs components. In the fermentation system, biochar exhibited a notable pH-buffering effect, stabilizing the fermentation environment. Additionally, its porous structure adsorbed ions during the fermentation process, resulting in a slightly lower electrical conductivity compared to the control group. Microbial community analysis revealed that biochar addition enriched key acidogenic bacteria, such as Defluviitoga and norank_f__Family_XI, optimizing the microbial community structure, and thereby facilitating organic acid production. In summary, biochar effectively promoted the efficient accumulation of VFAs during anaerobic fermentation of food waste by improving the fermentation microenvironment, enhancing system buffering capacity, and regulating microbial community composition. These findings provide theoretical support for sustainable enhancement of resource utilization of food waste.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4010-4
Liver fibrosis, a critical pathological consequence of chronic liver injury, remains a therapeutic challenge due to its complex mechanisms and limited effectiveness of conventional treatments. Recent advancements in two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, such as graphene derivatives, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs), MXenes, and layered double hydroxides (LDHs), have created novel opportunities for antifibrotic therapy. These materials exhibit exceptional physicochemical properties, including ultrahigh surface area, tunable surface chemistry, biocompatibility, and photothermal/electrochemical functionalities, enabling multifaceted interventions in fibrosis progression. The core therapeutic strategies mainly involve modulating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, inhibiting excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, 2D nanomaterials still face great challenges, such as long-term biosafety, precise functionalization for tissue-specific targeting, and scalable synthetic methods. This review systematically summarizes the recent breakthroughs in anti-fibrosis strategies based on 2D nanomaterials, elucidates their potential mechanisms of action, and explores the prospects for clinical translation of these nanoplatforms. Serving as a nexus between materials science and hepatology, 2D nanomaterials offer revolutionary prospects for precision medicine applications in hepatic fibrosis management.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607025
The Holocene alluvial-diluvial stratum of the Quaternary is characterized by high soil hydraulic conductivity and intense surface water-groundwater interaction, which leads to rapid and extensive migration of contaminants from landfills. To investigate the contaminant characteristics of a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill in such strata, a case study was conducted at a landfill in southwestern China. Methods including the Nemerow pollution index and the potential ecological risk index were employed to systematically analyze the contamination of groundwater and soil, as well as the spatial distribution of organic matter and heavy metals. The results showed that the groundwater was severely contaminated (PI > 3). The maximum exceedance multiples for total bacterial count, ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), and total coliforms relative to the standard limits were 36, 9.5, and 8, respectively. The composition of the contaminants in groundwater was highly consistent with the characteristics of landfill leachate. For the soil, the concentrations of six heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg, and As) were all below the Class II screening values of the standard GB 36600—2018. Both the Nemerow pollution index (PI < 0.7) and the potential ecological risk index (RI < 150) indicated that the soil environment was safe. Regarding soil dissolved organic matter (DOM), humic-like substances (22.9% to 34.9%) and fulvic-like substances (22.4% to 27.5%) were the dominant components, and their fluorescence intensities exhibited an exponential decay trend with increasing soil depth. The speciation of Cu, Pb, As, Hg, and Ni was dominated by the residual fraction (52.33% to 90.32%). However, over 70% of Cd existed in active forms (exchangeable + Fe/Mn oxide-bound), suggesting a high migration risk. The horizontal distribution of heavy metals showed regional specificity, with high-value areas mainly concentrated in the screening waste and soil stacking areas. Vertically, Cu and Cd exhibited surface enrichment, while As, Hg, Pb, and Ni were enriched in the groundwater fluctuation zone. These findings indicate that groundwater in alluvial-diluvial strata is highly susceptible to leachate contamination, while soil heavy metal contamination is not significant, with low levels in the aquifer but a tendency to accumulate at the water-soil interface. It is recommended that during landfill remediation, attention be paid to anti-seepage measures in waste excavation and stacking areas, as well as the interception and remediation of the groundwater fluctuation zone, to prevent secondary contamination of soil and groundwater.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4076-x
The transition from laboratory-scale to industrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production hinges on achieving ultra-high photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate a nitrogen-substitution engineering strategy for photocatalysts by replacing partial carbon atoms in benzene-1,3,5-triamine with nitrogen atoms, showing dual synergistic effects: (1) electronic structure modification upon electronegativity and dipole moment of the building blocks, creating built-in electric fields that promote charge separation and interfacial electron transfer; (2) enhancement in adsorption of reaction intermediates significantly boosting oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and water oxidation reaction (WOR) kinetics. This dual-modification system exhibits broadband light absorption extending to 700 nm (near-infrared), enabling outstanding performance under ambient conditions with a H2O2 production rate of 12099 μmol g−1 h−1 from water and O2 without any sacrificial agent, an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 19% at 500 nm, and a solar-to-chemical energy (SCC) efficiency of 1.38%. This work establishes atom-engineered nitrogen substitution as a general approach for designing high-performance photocatalysts, offering a viable pathway for large-scale H2O2 production with solar-driven chemical synthesis paradigm.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4107-x
Aqueous fiber zinc-iodine batteries (FZIBs) with four-electron redox exhibit inherent safety and high energy density for wearable electronics. Nevertheless, their practical implementations are hindered by unsatisfactory cycling stability and low realistic energy density, mainly caused by severe H2O-induced nucleophilic attack toward iodine species and poor zinc anode reversibility. Here, we report a quaternary ammonium-mediated coordination strategy to simultaneously address the irreversible cathode/anode redox behavior and thus promote the electrochemical performance of four-electron FZIBs. The cationic choline ion (Ch+) induces complexation with ICl2− via electrostatic interaction, homogenizing the electron cloud density and suppressing irreversible hydrolysis of I+ species, enabling a reversible near-theoretical high capacity of 418.3 mAh g−1. Meanwhile, preferentially adsorbed Ch+ on the zinc anode surface creates positively charged shielding layers, mitigating the tip effect caused by localized electric field and achieving robust zinc stripping/plating. The enhanced cathode/anode reversibility and improved interfacial stability enable stable FZIBs operation for over 20,000 cycles at 20.0 A g−1. Moreover, successful integration of FZIBs into electronic textiles with glucose and cardiac rhythm sensors demonstrates great potential for next-generation wearable electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3878-5
Borides, exhibiting complex bonding and structural diversity, are promising materials in the fields of ambient superconductivity and hard materials. Although some cage borides with either superhard or superconductivity have been reported, there is still a lack of systematic tuning of the metal centers in regulating their superconductivity and hardness. This study investigates the impact of s-block/d-block metal elements on the superconducting and hardness properties of boron cage lattices under ambient conditions. Using first-principles calculations, we predict a novel class of stable cage-like metallic borides, MB8 (M = Na, Be, Mg, Sr, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta) characterized by metal embedded in B–B sublattices composed of 4/8 member B-rings. Superconductivity, hardness, and electronic structure calculations indicate that s-block and d-block metals influence the p-orbital occupancy of B bands, affecting both the electron-phonon coupling (EPC) constant and the bonding strength. In general, within the I422 MB8 (B16 cage) structural family investigated here at ambient pressure, s-block metals enhance the EPC constant (λ) and favour higher superconducting critical temperature (Tc) but weaken the hardness, whereas d-block metals contribute the opposite. Therefore, the Tc of NaB8 reached 24.4 K, which is among the highest values reported for boron cage compounds, while ZrB8 from d-block metals exhibits the highest hardness (21.9 GPa) among. This work proposes a pathway for designing novel superconductors with robust mechanical performance under ambient pressure and elucidates the distinct roles of s-block and d-block metals in modulating the superconductivity and hardness of cage-like borides.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202512025
Persulfate (PS) is a common oxidant in in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) for groundwater organic contamination, but its vertical concentration stratification may lead to inefficient remediation of light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs). To investigate the vertical stratification characteristics of PS in porous aquifers and its impact on LNAPLs remediation, static water column experiments and flowing water sand tank experiments were conducted. The migration behavior of PS under non-slow-release and slow-release conditions was compared, with Br− as a reference tracer and benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) as LNAPLs contaminants. Results showed that in static water columns, Br− exhibited weak vertical migration, short migration distance, and a low decay rate (0.009 d−1), consistent with a stable tracer. In contrast, PS showed strong vertical migration, with concentrations increasing with depth; under slow-release conditions, the concentration difference between the top and bottom of the column could reach two orders of magnitude. Br− migration was dominated by molecular diffusion (effective diffusion coefficient 2.2×10−9 m2·s−1), while PS migration was driven by both diffusion and density. Under slow-release conditions, the average PS decay rate was 0.072 d−1, slightly higher than the non-slow-release rate (0.059 d−1). In both column and sand tank experiments, BTX exhibited a distinct shallow-layer distribution, contrasting with PS. When the aquifer thickness is large, PS stratification limits its contact with LNAPLs contaminants, increasing remediation cost and difficulty. These findings provide theoretical reference for PS-based ISCO remediation of LNAPLs in porous aquifers.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511094
Brewer's spent grain (BSG), a major byproduct of the brewing industry, is produced in large quantities globally, yet its high-value utilization remains limited. This study investigated the effects of fermentation temperature (35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 °C) on volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and fungal community structure during anaerobic fermentation of BSG. Results showed that mesophilic temperatures significantly enhanced VFA yields, with the highest production at 35 °C, reaching 344.22 mg/g COD converted, and a peak VFA concentration of 14,267 mg/L after 5 days. Acetic acid dominated the VFA profile (95.6%–98.9%) across all temperatures. Protein and carbohydrate degradation rates were highest under mesophilic conditions, while lipid degradation peaked at 55 °C. Fungal community analysis revealed that at peak acid production, cellulose-degrading fungi were predominant, with Oligophagozyma being the dominant genus at 35 °C (90.07%) and 40 °C (55.31%). Higher temperatures increased fungal diversity and evenness. Mantel tests indicated that carbohydrates and lipids promoted fungal growth, whereas total dissolved solids, nitrate, and phosphate inhibited it. These findings provide insights into the role of fungi in VFA production from BSG and support its resource utilization.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025050601
China's iron and steel industry has undergone comprehensive ultra-low emission transformation, meeting stringent limits for conventional pollutants, yet the fate of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) remains unclear. This study combined field sampling and literature review to analyze PCDD/Fs emission characteristics from sintering, converter, and electric arc furnace processes before and after transformation, and calculated national emissions for 2022. Results demonstrate that ultra-low emission transformation effectively reduces PCDD/Fs emissions. Specifically, emission concentrations decreased by 86.5%, 95.1%, and 66.9% for sintering, converter, and electric arc furnace, respectively, with corresponding emission factors dropping to 0.11, 0.009, and 0.014 μg I-TEQ·t−1 product. Under the transformation scenario, total national emissions were 104 g I-TEQ (uncertainty ±26 g), a 94.9% reduction from the unreformed scenario (2049 ± 763 g I-TEQ). Congener profiles shifted from high-chlorinated dominance to low-chlorinated dominance, while toxicity equivalent distribution remained dominated by 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF (35%–56%). This study quantifies the co-benefit of PCDD/Fs reduction, providing critical data for updating China's emission inventory and formulating toxicity-oriented control policies.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025051802
This study investigates the recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from anaerobic digestion biogas slurry of chicken manure via magnesium-modified zeolite coupled with electrochemical precipitation crystallization. Three types of magnesium-modified zeolites were prepared using alkali activation and magnesium loading to enhance adsorption capacity. A coupled 'magnesium-modified zeolite-electrochemical MAP' reactor was constructed, and key parameters (N/P ratio, pH, current density) were optimized via response surface methodology. The results show that MgCl2-modified zeolite (MgCl2-ZO) exhibited the best coupling precipitation performance. Under optimal conditions (N/P ratio 3.78, pH 8.43, current density 13.11 A·m−2), the removal efficiencies for total nitrogen (TN), total ammonium nitrogen (TAN), total phosphorus (TP), and total phosphate (TPS) reached 54.84%, 62.93%, 82.02%, and 77.72%, respectively. The mechanism involves synergistic adsorption and electrochemical release of Mg2+ from the magnesium electrode, which promotes struvite crystallization. The electrochemical field enhances ion exchange and chemical precipitation on the zeolite surface, facilitating efficient nutrient recovery. This approach offers a promising solution for nutrient management in livestock wastewater.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025041805
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for mammals, yet no universally applicable method exists for assessing soil Se bioavailability. This study validated the feasibility of diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technology for accurately evaluating Se bioavailability in paddy soils under natural conditions, and analyzed Se migration in the soil-plant system, soil kinetic characteristics, and the influence of physicochemical properties on Se bioavailability. Rice plants and corresponding rhizosphere soil samples were collected and analyzed using three traditional extraction methods alongside DGT. Results showed that 96.7% of soil samples and 66.7% of rice samples met the selenium-rich standard, and Se content measured by DGT most accurately reflected soil Se bioavailability. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of different rice plant parts indicated generally low Se enrichment in grains, with primary enrichment in rice roots. Correlation analysis revealed that adjustments in soil pH, organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and sulfur (S) content could effectively improve soil Se bioavailability. These findings underscore DGT's superiority over conventional extraction methods for predicting Se uptake, offering a robust tool for managing selenium-rich agricultural resources.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608006
Organic waste is a potential phosphorus reservoir, and understanding the dynamics of available phosphorus (AP) during its resource utilization is critical for efficient phosphorus recovery. Composting, a key route for organic waste valorization, involves complex transformations of phosphorus alongside organic matter degradation and humification. However, the long duration and high cost of composting experiments, coupled with multifactorial influences, hinder efficient elucidation of AP dynamics via conventional methods. This study compiled data from 33 publications, constructing a dataset of 647 samples. Data preprocessing included iterative imputation, one-hot encoding, and standardization. A stacking ensemble learning model was developed to predict AP generation during composting. The optimal ensemble comprised XGBoost and SVR as base learners and ElasticNet as the meta-learner, achieving R² values of 0.954 and 0.928 on training and test sets, respectively, with low overall error. SHAP analysis revealed that key factors influencing AP content, in descending order of importance, were feedstock type, bulking agent type, turning interval, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and C/N ratio. Notably, livestock manure as feedstock and straw-based bulking agents contributed positively to AP predictions. Partial dependence plots indicated that lower pH and C/N ratios generally favored AP accumulation throughout composting. During the initial stage, higher moisture content and lower EC enhanced AP; in the thermophilic phase, higher temperatures corresponded to higher AP; and during cooling and maturation, maintaining moisture below 48% and C/N below 14, while extending composting beyond 43 days, promoted AP accumulation. This study demonstrates accurate AP prediction via stacking ensemble learning and identifies critical factors, offering support for optimizing phosphorus management in composting engineering.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608015
Inter-basin water diversion projects can profoundly alter the water quality dynamics of receiving basins. Taking the Qincun Reservoir and its downstream reaches in the Huangze River Basin as a case study, this research quantitatively evaluates water-quality responses under multiple coordinated management measures. An integrated Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code-Soil and Water Assessment Tool (EFDC-SWAT) modeling framework was established, coupling a two-dimensional hydrodynamic-water-quality model for the reservoir with a hydrology-water-quality model for the downstream reaches. Seven management scenarios were designed to reflect various combinations of point- and non-point-source pollution control strategies. Simulations focused on spatiotemporal variations in key indicators—total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and permanganate index (CODMn)—and assessed pollution-load reduction effectiveness. Comparative analysis using the comprehensive water quality identification index (CWQII) revealed that under Scenario 3 (highest pollution-control standards with lowest diversion volume), TN and TP concentrations in the reservoir decreased by 80% and 50%, respectively, achieving Class II water-quality standards. Downstream TN and TP levels declined by 36% and 33%, and the CWQII improved from 4.211 to 3.410. Land consolidation contributed 77% and 45% to TN and TP load reductions in the reservoir, respectively, while a 20% reduction in diversion volume was most effective in improving downstream TN (>50%). These results demonstrate that the coupled EFDC-SWAT model effectively elucidates mechanisms through which inter-basin water diversion influences water quality in supply areas. Moreover, synergistic point- and non-point-source controls exhibit a nonlinear enhancement effect on overall water-quality improvement.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608020
This paper systematically reviews the progress and achievements of China's collaborative innovation pilots for pollution and carbon emission reduction, identifies existing problems, and proposes targeted recommendations. As of the first batch, 64 pilot units (21 cities and 43 industrial parks) have issued implementation plans, with overall smooth progress and notable phased outcomes. Most pilots have actively promoted institutional and mechanism innovations, achieving substantial advancements in key sectors and critical areas, and yielding replicable practices. However, challenges persist, including fragmented interdepartmental collaboration, insufficient alignment of management systems, funding shortages for synergistic projects, and inadequate technological support. Recommendations include intensifying awareness campaigns, establishing coordinated promotion mechanisms, accelerating management system implementation, advancing core technology R&D, conducting progress evaluations, and amplifying publicity. For the second batch, suggestions focus on expansion strategies, pilot types, and selection methods, emphasizing incremental tasks, diverse pilot subjects (from provincial to enterprise levels), and clear articulation of expected outcomes and demonstration targets. The paper underscores the need to transform local experiences into institutionalized frameworks, fostering a four-dimensional synergy of carbon reduction, pollution control, green expansion, and economic growth, thereby contributing to China's ecological civilization and global climate governance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4075-1
Titanium alloys, such as Ti-6Al-4V (TC4), are indispensable in aerospace, biomedical, and advanced manufacturing due to their high specific strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, their inherent strength-ductility trade-off and limited stiffness hinder next-generation lightweight structural applications. Traditional ceramic reinforcements (TiC, TiB2, SiC) improve strength but introduce brittleness and interfacial incompatibility, degrading plasticity and fatigue resistance. Graphene, with theoretical strength ~130 GPa and Young's modulus ~1 TPa, offers a promising two-dimensional reinforcement. This review systematically examines graphene-reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs), focusing on the intrinsic relationship between preparation, microstructure, and properties. Key preparation routes include powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing, with challenges in achieving uniform dispersion and controlling interfacial reactions. Recent studies demonstrate that surface modification and process optimization can form an ideal interface structure comprising a nano-TiC layer and residual graphene. Even at low graphene additions, synergistic strengthening mechanisms—load transfer, fine-grain strengthening, and Orowan dislocation bypass—significantly enhance strength, hardness, and wear resistance while preserving ductility. This review consolidates critical theoretical and experimental findings, offering guidance to overcome technological bottlenecks and promote engineering applications of graphene-reinforced TMCs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4116-0
The design of solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) for poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based solid-state batteries has largely focused on solvent-affinity of Li+ to generate robust but ionically sluggish LiF-rich layers, inherently compromising transport kinetics. Here, we establish a paradigm based on quantifiable physicochemical descriptors (ionic potential and donor number) to guide the design of amphitropic ion pairs (AIPs). These AIPs are engineered to simultaneously tailor both the solvent-affinity and anion-affinity of Li+: a solvent-philic cation with high ionic potential (Al3+) first sequesters reactive solvents, clearing the path for a high-donor-number, lithium-philic anion (NO3−) to remodel solvation. This rationally guided, sequential mechanism enables the in situ synthesis of a LiF/Li3N heterostructured SEI, where dendrite-suppressing LiF domains are seamlessly integrated with ultra-fast Li3N ion channels. This design heterogeneity effectively enhances stability and kinetics, yielding a robust and highly conductive interface. Consequently, Li|Li cells achieve >2000 h of stable cycling, and Li|LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 full cells surpass 600 cycles.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4007-x
Hydrogels, with their hydrophilicity, flexibility, and environmental friendliness, are highly desirable for moisture-electric generators (MEGs) that harness ubiquitous moisture to generate electrical energy. As the active material layer in MEGs, hydrogels play a crucial role in absorbing atmospheric moisture and converting chemical potential energy into electricity. However, the relatively low output current of the device and the instability of hydrogels pose challenges to the development of high-performance hydrogel-based MEGs. Herein, we introduce a straightforward, feasible, cost-effective, and versatile two-step solvent displacement strategy to overcome the barrier associated with the development of MEGs. Through tunable solvent interactions of glycerol and water, the moisture absorption capability and stability of the hydrogel can be improved, while promoting favorable ion migration. Such an effective processing route not only significantly boosts the output performances but also greatly improves the long-term durability of hydrogel-based MEGs. Notably, the current output and power density of the treated MEGs can increase by up to two orders of magnitude. The mechanisms behind the intriguing observation are investigated by various characterizations and theoretical calculations. This universal strategy holds promise to be extended to various hydrogel-based MEGs. Moreover, the MEGs can be used for energy harvesting, self-powered respiratory monitoring, and non-contact humidity detection. This work offers new opportunities for advancing green energy and self-powered technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4145-0
Conductive fibers face a fundamental trade-off between high electrical conductivity and substantial mechanical stretchability, which critically undermines their reliability under extreme or dynamic mechanical conditions. To overcome this challenge, we report a bio-inspired, hierarchically structured conductive fiber engineered by mimicking the parallel-fibril architecture and integrated matrix of skeletal muscle. This fiber is constructed from multiple parallel spandex yarns as the elastic core, a continuous liquid metal (LM) layer as the conductive pathway, and a composite waterborne polyurethane (WPU)/fluoropolymer (FP) sheath as the protective matrix. This unique architecture concurrently delivers exceptional stretchability (>3500%), high electrical conductivity (3.76 × 10^5 S m−1), and outstanding stability against water and mechanical abrasion. Leveraging its excellent conductivity and mechanical compliance, the fiber can be woven into textiles and function as a receiving coil for efficient wireless power transfer. Additionally, a twisted-pair capacitive strain sensor fabricated from this fiber demonstrates a broad, linear response up to 1000% strain. When integrated into garments, the sensor effectively monitors a wide range of physiological activities, from gross joint movements to subtle biological signals, including wrist pulse, vocal vibration, ballistocardiogram, and respiration. This work presents a conductive fiber that integrates high conductivity, ultra-stretchability, waterproofness, and long-term durability, offering a robust material platform and a scalable fabrication strategy for advancing all-weather health-monitoring systems, smart textiles, and next-generation wearable electronics.