SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4260-5
Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are recognized as a leading candidate for next-generation energy storage due to their high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mAh g⁻¹). However, the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) severely limits cycle life and energy efficiency. Here, we report a multi-interface engineering strategy employing a MnO₂-TiO₂@Ti₃C₂ MXene (MT@MX) heterojunction, synthesized via a facile redox reaction between MXene and KMnO₄, to modulate bidirectional polysulfide conversion. The 2D structure with high conductivity and abundant heterogeneous interfaces facilitates fast ion/electron transfer, reduces reaction energy barriers, and enhances adsorption via d-band center effects. The stepped built-in electric field (BIEF) in MT@MX lowers the migration energy barrier of LiPSs from catalytic MXene to TiO₂ and then to adsorptive MnO₂, enabling reversible migration across multi-interfaces. Optimized heterointerfaces synergistically integrate adsorption, diffusion, and catalytic conversion, yielding excellent cycling stability even at a high sulfur loading of 6.4 mg cm⁻². This work demonstrates that constructing heterojunctions with stepped BIEF offers a feasible approach to modulate interfacial diffusion and provides a new design strategy for high-performance LSB electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3700-7
Photocatalytic synthesis has been considered a promising technology for solar-to-chemicals conversion. Here, a series of novel photocatalysts was synthesized by decorating uranyl sites on imine-based covalent organic frameworks (i-COF) and proved functioning for the uniformly boosted H2O2 production by 1.6–10.1 folds compared with the bare i-COFs in a wide pH range from 2 to 11. Typically, an optimal H2O2 production rate of 1435.9 μmol g−1 h−1, i.e., 28.72 mmol g(U)−1 h−1, was realized over uranyl decorated TTa-COFs under visible light. Systematic investigations reveal that the universally and remarkably promoted performance is attributed to the outstanding electron-transfer ability, accelerated activation of molecular oxygen and favored formation of ·O2− and *OOH as the key intermediate by virtue of the decorated uranyl ions; thus the two-step single-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for H2O2 photo-generation is significantly facilitated. This work paves a new way for the uranyl-decorated COFs as a novel photocatalyst and provides in-depth insight to the reaction mechanism for photocatalytic H2O2 production.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3710-y
Layered transition metal oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) suffer from Jahn–Teller distortion of MnO6, Na+/vacancy ordering, and irreversible lattice oxygen loss, causing capacity fading and voltage decay. Here, we report a P2-type material, Na0.67Ni0.3Mn0.6Li0.09Sn0.01O2 (NNMO-Li0.09Sn0.01), co-doped with closed-shell Li+ and Sn4+ ions. Li+ increases the Mn4+/Mn3+ ratio, mitigating Jahn–Teller distortion, and disrupts Ni/Mn ordering, suppressing Na+/vacancy ordering. Sn4+ forms stronger Sn–O bonds (548 kJ mol−1), enhancing bonding between transition metal ions and oxygen, reducing oxygen loss. NNMO-Li0.09Sn0.01 delivers a specific capacity of 90.3 mAh g−1 with 62.9% capacity retention after 50 cycles at 0.1 C (1 C = 200 mA g−1), and 90.3% voltage retention. This closed-shell substitution strategy offers a viable approach for enhancing structural stability of wide-voltage layered oxide cathodes.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506010
To facilitate accurate understanding and implementation of the provisions in the Technical Specification for Comprehensive Utilization of Titanium Gypsum (GB/T 45015-2024), and to promote technological capability in comprehensive utilization while effectively controlling environmental risks during utilization, this paper analyzes the current status and existing problems of titanium gypsum generation, management, and utilization technologies in China. The standard is systematically interpreted. It is concluded that the implementation of this standard will promote resource utilization of titanium gypsum, foster energy conservation and carbon reduction in the titanium dioxide industry, and further safeguard ecological and environmental security. China produces over 3,120×10^4 t of titanium gypsum annually (2023), yet its comprehensive utilization rate is only about 10%, far lower than that of phosphogypsum (~40%) and desulfurization gypsum (~80%). The standard, as the first national standard dedicated to titanium gypsum resource utilization, establishes technical pathways for building materials and ecological restoration, sets limits for soluble impurities, and specifies pollution control indicators throughout the utilization process. It addresses the long-standing gaps in technical standards, product quality variability, and environmental supervision, providing critical support for the green and low-carbon transformation of the sulfuric acid process titanium dioxide industry.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507030
Arsenic is a toxic metalloid predominantly present in water as As(V) and As(III), whose speciation governs toxicity and mobility. Conventional speciation methods (HPLC-ICP-MS, IC-HG-AFS) offer ultralow detection limits but suffer from high cost, long analysis times, and non-portability, hindering on-site rapid monitoring. This study presents a sulfide-based spectrophotometric method exploiting the quantitative reaction between As(V) and S2− to form monothioarsenate (H3AsO3S) with a characteristic absorption at 233 nm. Under optimized conditions (H+ concentration 1 mol·L−1, Na2S dosage 5 mmol·L−1, reaction time 3 min, N2 purging 2 min), As(V) is directly quantified. Total arsenic is determined after complete oxidation of As(III) to As(V) using NaClO (10 mmol·L−1, pH 12, 5 min), and As(III) is obtained by difference. The method exhibits linearity over 0.5–50 mg·L−1 (A = 0.0209c + 0.0627, R² = 0.999), a detection limit of 0.17 mg·L−1, spike recoveries of 101.9%–104.1%, and relative standard deviation of 1.06%. Validation against real industrial wastewater samples showed relative deviations <10% compared with HPLC-ICP-MS and IC-HG-AFS. Total analysis time is within 15 min. The method is simple, cost-effective, and suitable for field monitoring.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0028
Pyrolysis is a key route for the graded conversion of low-rank coal, yet the volatiles are rich in oxygenates and heavy components, limiting direct utilization. This study proposes a tandem catalytic system combining metal oxides and ZSM-5 zeolite to efficiently convert lignite pyrolysis volatiles into light aromatics (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene). The upper-layer metal oxide pre-cracks large molecules and removes oxygenates, reducing carbon deposition on the zeolite and extending catalyst life. Among metal oxides tested, strongly basic MgO exhibited superior cracking and deoxygenation performance. Compared to ZSM-5 alone, the MgO/ZSM-5 tandem system increased total light aromatics yield by approximately 20% to 21.5 mg/g, while maintaining liquid product proportion at 21.4%. The incorporation of MgO also significantly reduced coke deposition on ZSM-5, preserving its catalytic activity and potentially prolonging its operational lifespan. These findings provide a theoretical basis for upgrading low-rank coal pyrolysis volatiles to valuable light aromatics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4028-5
The escalating thermal management demands of modern electronics necessitate materials with superior thermal conductivity and matched thermal expansion. Cu/Diamond composites are promising, yet their fabrication typically requires extreme conditions (high temperature/pressure) or complex coating processes. This work introduces a one-step, heat-source-free cold manufacturing method using ultrasonic vibration to consolidate Cu/Diamond composites at room temperature and a low pressure of ~16 MPa within seconds. The applied pressure is reduced by 200–500 times, and the required temperature is only 20% of that used in conventional high-temperature high-pressure sintering. Direct metallurgical bonding at Cu-Cu interfaces and solid embedding of diamond particles in the Cu matrix are achieved, yielding a composite with a high yield strength of 150 MPa. The method enables a maximum diamond proportion of ~60%, resulting in a thermal conductivity exceeding 1043 W/(m·K) and a coefficient of thermal expansion below 10×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. Complex shapes are readily fabricated, and heat dissipation tests demonstrate superior performance compared to commercial Al₂O₃ and AlN substrates. The loose preparation conditions and rapid processing confer significant industrial production potential.
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.
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/s40843-025-3829-7
Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is pivotal for advanced photonic applications, yet achieving concurrent high emission efficiency and large dissymmetry factors remains challenging. Here, we report a chiral reticular chemistry strategy to construct homochiral porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as efficient CPL-active materials. By co-assembling enantiopure R/S-binol with achiral luminescent ligands, three pairs of enantiomeric pillar-layered MOFs were synthesized. These frameworks exhibit significantly amplified CPL responses, with |g_lum| values enhanced by up to two orders of magnitude compared to free ligands, reaching levels comparable to state-of-the-art chiral assemblies, while maintaining high photoluminescence efficiencies (Φ_PL up to 67%). Mechanistic investigations reveal that CPL originates primarily from the global chirality of the hierarchical frameworks rather than the intrinsic chirality of the precursors. This work establishes a robust design principle for porous CPL-active materials, offering new insights into chirality transfer and opening avenues to integrate strong luminescence with stable chirality in extended frameworks.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509124
To reveal the spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of water quality in the Hanjiang River Basin, this study utilized monthly water quality monitoring data from 54 sections from January 2021 to April 2024. Methods including single-factor index, comprehensive water quality index (WQI), principal component analysis (PCA), and optimal parameters-based geographical detector (OPGD) were employed. Results indicated significant spatiotemporal differences, with total nitrogen (TN), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and permanganate index (CODMn) as major pollutants, TN being the most critical. Temporally, agricultural non-point source organic pollution dominated in wet season, while comprehensive organic pollution with industrial point source characteristics prevailed in dry season. Spatially, water quality deteriorated along the main stream, with tributary downstream areas showing severe pollution, forming a pattern of 'mountainous areas good, plains poor'. OPGD revealed combined effects of natural conditions and human activities, proposing a 'zonal control and targeted treatment' strategy.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607013
This study investigated the synergistic effects of earthworm mucus and two biochar types (rice husk biochar and straw biochar) on heavy metal bioavailability during sludge composting. Sludge was amended with earthworm mucus alone or combined with biochars at varying proportions, and the impacts on physicochemical properties, total heavy metal concentrations, bioavailable fractions, and chemical speciation were analyzed. Results showed that mucus addition increased sludge pH and electrical conductivity (EC) but decreased total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) contents. Synergistic mucus-biochar composting further elevated pH and EC while reducing TN, with the optimal treatment being mucus plus 10% rice husk biochar. Mucus-only composting reduced total concentrations and bioavailability of Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb. Adding biochars significantly enhanced these reductions. Specifically, mucus with rice husk biochar achieved the best Cd removal, with total and bioavailable Cd decreasing by 27.03%–55.68% and 9.52%–28.57% (P<0.05), respectively, compared to controls. Mucus with straw biochar was most effective for Ni, Zn, and Pb, reducing total contents by 3.81%–5.72%, 7.93%–34.62%, and 42.61%–79.46%, and bioavailable fractions by 2.90%–26.31%, 15.58%–24.14%, and 32.30%–36.88% (P<0.05), respectively. Speciation analysis revealed that Cd, Ni, and Pb carbonate-bound fractions transformed into residual forms, and exchangeable fractions shifted to Fe-Mn oxide-bound forms. Straw biochar addition resulted in the highest residual fractions for Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb, increasing by 0.35%–7.02%, 8.61%–12.90%, 16.62%–23.02%, 17.33%–26.10%, and 16.12%–27.20% (P<0.05), respectively. These findings demonstrate that earthworm mucus combined with rice husk or straw biochar effectively reduces heavy metal concentrations and bioavailability in sludge, offering a promising strategy for sludge composting.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60658-5
Sulfur dioxide emitted from combustion of sulfur-containing aromatic compounds in fuels is a major contributor to atmospheric pollution. Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) has become a crucial complement to hydrodesulfurization (HDS) due to its mild reaction conditions and high efficiency in removing refractory aromatic sulfides. Metal doping is an effective strategy to modulate the electronic structure of catalysts and enhance catalytic performance. In this study, Mn-doped Co-V-O metal oxide (Mn-Co-V-O) was synthesized via a reflux method followed by high-temperature calcination. The structure, morphology, and surface chemical composition were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, XPS, and UV-vis DRS. The ODS performance toward dibenzothiophene (DBT) was evaluated using molecular oxygen as a green oxidant. Results indicated that Mn doping significantly enhanced the ODS activity compared to undoped Co-V-O. Under optimized conditions (110 °C, 0.03 g catalyst, 150 mL/min O2 flow, 20 mL model oil), a direct DBT removal rate of 81.6% was achieved. When combined with extraction, the desulfurization rate increased to 98.0%. Mechanistic studies revealed that Mn doping increased the surface oxygen vacancy concentration, facilitating oxygen activation to generate superoxide radicals (·O2−). Radical trapping experiments confirmed that ·O2− was the key active species responsible for selective oxidation of DBT to DBTO2. This study provides a reference for designing efficient metal oxide catalysts for deep oxidative desulfurization.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3998-8
Constitutional isomerism in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has emerged as a powerful strategy to tailor material properties for photocatalytic applications. Here, we report the design and synthesis of two isomeric multicomponent COFs (MC-COFs) via Schiff-base condensation followed by Povarov reaction, converting imine linkages into quinoline structures. These isomeric MC-COFs exhibit opposing C=N bond orientations and distinct phenyl group alignments within the COF pores, leading to different torsion angles in the COF layers. Structural analyses reveal that enhanced planarity promotes π-π stacking and electron delocalization, resulting in favorable band structures and reduced exciton binding energies. Consequently, the optimized COF achieves a superior hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production rate of 3128 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light irradiation. This work underscores the critical influence of structural isomerism on the photocatalytic efficiency of MC-COFs and provides insights for rational design of high-performance COF-based photocatalysts.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2026.JFCT.0006
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a critical cathode reaction in fuel cells and metal-air batteries, yet its sluggish kinetics and high overpotential severely limit device performance. Conventional platinum-based catalysts suffer from prohibitive cost (accounting for up to 40% of total fuel cell system cost), scarce reserves, and poor tolerance to methanol and carbon monoxide, impeding large-scale commercialization. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in biomass/coal-based carbon materials as ORR electrocatalysts, focusing on raw material characteristics, preparation methods, structural regulation, and performance evaluation. Biomass and coal precursors offer advantages of low cost, abundant availability, and natural heteroatom doping (N, P, S), enabling the design of high-performance, metal-free catalysts. Key challenges include ensuring raw material homogeneity, precise control of active sites, and scalable synthesis. Future research directions emphasize optimizing pore structure and surface chemistry to enhance four-electron selectivity and stability. The review provides theoretical guidance for developing cost-effective ORR catalysts to replace platinum, thereby accelerating the deployment of clean energy technologies.