SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4406-y
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising adsorbents for uranium extraction from complex aqueous environments due to their tunable pore structures and customizable functionalities. However, conventional bottom-up assembly routes yield frameworks with fixed dimensionality, where internal pores and buried functional sites remain inaccessible, limiting dynamic optimization for uranium capture. This study introduces a reversible coordination-directed clip-off strategy that enables dimensional programming of COFs through silver-nitrogen coordination bonds and thiosulfate/silver ion regulators. The approach allows controlled cleavage and reconstruction of coordination bonds, dynamically exposing hidden binding sites and adapting the framework to uranium extraction requirements. While the strategy demonstrates high-efficiency uranium extraction, it faces challenges including increased material and operating costs from silver-based regulators, potential structural fatigue from repeated cleavage-reconstruction cycles, and limited validation beyond laboratory scale. The reversible dimensional programming is generalizable to other reticular frameworks such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), enabling stimuli-responsive smart materials, controlled-release carriers, and adaptive separation membranes. Integration with machine learning and computational screening could accelerate rational design of functional active sites. This interdisciplinary approach offers a pathway toward intelligent, dimensionally morphing materials for energy and environmental sustainability, though optimization of regulating components and structural durability is required for practical scalability.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4365-2
The intrinsic trade-off between sensitivity and linear range in piezoresistive tactile sensors has constrained their adoption in high-fidelity flexible electronics. This study introduces a layer-by-layer gradient conductivity (LGC) architecture that decouples these competing metrics. Through sequential deposition of conductive layers with decreasing filler content, the LGC resistive layer establishes a monotonic resistance–pressure relationship. The optimized LGC0.4@3 sensor achieves a record sensitivity of 0.4 kPa⁻¹ and a linear range extending to 300 kPa, as evidenced by relative electrical response measurements (Figure 1d). Dynamic monitoring of ground slope changes and convexity/concavity features (Figure 1e,f) confirms real-time operational stability. The gradient design mitigates percolation saturation, enabling linear output across three orders of magnitude. This advance addresses a critical bottleneck in tactile sensing, offering a scalable pathway for robotic proprioception and wearable health monitors. The fabrication protocol is compatible with roll-to-roll processing, with potential for cost parity against commercial capacitive sensors. Industrial translation requires further validation under cyclic loading and environmental aging, but the demonstrated metrics position LGC sensors as a viable alternative for applications demanding both high sensitivity and broad dynamic range.
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/s40843-025-3700-7
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/s40843-025-3831-0
Ammonia decomposition is a key process for generating COx-free hydrogen, yet conventional cobalt catalysts require high temperatures (>550 °C) to overcome the strong Co–N binding that limits N2 desorption. Here we report a novel Co catalyst supported on a Ce and N co-modified perovskite (Co@La_xCe_{1-x}AlO_{3-y}N_z) that achieves 92.6% ammonia conversion with a hydrogen production rate of 9.7 mmol g−1 min−1 at 425 °C and GHSV = 9000 mL h−1 g_cat−1, representing a 125 °C reduction in operating temperature relative to conventional Co-based catalysts. Mechanistic studies using isotopic labeling and in-situ DRIFTS reveal that synergistic Ce and N modification creates a unique LA-L(A+B)-LB active site configuration, which lowers the Schottky barrier at the metal-support interface and promotes facile hydrogen spillover. The reaction proceeds via an interfacial Mars-van Krevelen mechanism, contrasting with the traditional Langmuir-Hinshelwood pathway on conventional Co catalysts. This work provides new insights for designing low-temperature Co-based ammonia decomposition catalysts.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61072-4
Sodium-ion capacitors (SICs) typically feature a hybrid design, incorporating a battery-type anode that operates by faradaic redox reactions and an activated carbon cathode that functions through electrical double-layer (EDL) adsorption/desorption. However, the kinetics of faradaic processes are inherently slower than those of EDL processes, leading to a fundamental problem known as kinetic imbalance between the electrodes, which hinders the development of high-performance SICs. To address this, we synthesized composites of bismuth nanoparticles in N-doped carbon (Bi@NC) by a high-temperature sintering method. The resulting Bi@NC anode has a specific capacity of 300 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, an exceptional rate capability (maintaining performance at currents exceeding 75 A g−1), and outstanding cycling stability over 12,000 cycles. Three-electrode Swagelok cell tests revealed that this high-rate Bi@NC composite effectively decreases the kinetic gap with the activated carbon cathode, as shown by an analysis of their respective potential swing windows (vs. Na/Na+). This enables the fabricated SIC to achieve a maximum energy density of 115 Wh kg−1, a peak power density of 45,535 W kg−1, and a long cycle life exceeding 8,000 cycles.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3919-0
Nuclear energy is critical for sustainable economic development and achieving carbon neutrality. With only about 6.14 million tons of terrestrial uranium, sufficient for ~70 years of global nuclear power plant operation, the recovery of uranium from seawater and spent fuel is essential for long-term nuclear fuel supply. The ocean contains approximately 4.5 billion tons of uranium, which could sustain nuclear power for ~2000 years if efficiently extracted. However, seawater uranium extraction faces significant challenges due to the extremely low uranium concentration (~3.3 ppb), high concentrations of competing ions, natural organic matter, and marine biofouling. This perspective reviews representative laboratory advances, including sulfonated covalent organic frameworks (S-COF) achieving a sorption capacity of 31.5 mg/(g·day) with high selectivity, amidoxime-based organic cages with a capacity of 11.97 mg/g over 30 days, and a micro-redox reactor strategy that continuously regenerates binding sites. Electrochemical methods have also shown promise for converting soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV) oxides. Despite these advances, the transition from laboratory powders to durable marine materials remains problematic. Key gaps include the need for antibacterial properties, mechanical stability under wave action, cost competitiveness with terrestrial mining, and environmental safety of nanomaterials. Artificial intelligence (AI) is proposed to accelerate the design of high-performance, stable materials. This perspective emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary research to bridge the gap between bench-scale innovations and practical ocean deployment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3713-y
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), yet their practical application remains limited by poor electrical conductivity and sluggish reaction kinetics. In this work, we synthesize three high-entropy LDHs (HELDHs) featuring a hierarchical architecture of microspheres assembled from ultrathin nanosheets, via a simple hydrothermal method using a combination of low-cost, catalytically active transition metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Cr). Among them, the FeCoNiMnZn HELDH exhibits outstanding OER performance, requiring an overpotential of only 306 mV to reach a current density of 100 mA cm−2. Notably, during 200 h of continuous operation, the device exhibits a stable and, in some cases, increasing current output. This exceptional activity is attributed to the formation of abundant cation vacancies, induced by Zn leaching, which enhance the intrinsic catalytic properties by optimizing the adsorption energies of key OER intermediates. Density functional theory calculations further validate that these vacancies modulate the electronic structure and lower reaction barriers, underscoring the effectiveness of cation-vacancy engineering in high-entropy systems for efficient and durable water oxidation catalysis. The optimized catalyst was further evaluated as the air cathode in a zinc–air battery, demonstrating practical electrochemical performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3711-8
Mechanoluminescent (ML) materials that emit light under mechanical stress are attracting growing attention for their potential in next-generation sensing, display, and energy-harvesting technologies. Among these, Mn/Cu-doped zinc sulfide (ZnS) has emerged as a leading candidate due to its bright emission, low activation threshold, and remarkable self-recovery over thousands of cycles. Despite these advantages, the fundamental mechanisms governing ML remain unresolved, with ongoing debate between two primary models: the piezoelectric effect and the triboelectric effect. The piezoelectric effect is generally associated with scenarios where ML materials emit light directly under external pressure and exhibit self-recoverable performance, whereas the triboelectric effect dominates when emission occurs at the interface of layered materials. Previous research on ZnS-based ML systems has focused on phase transitions from the sphalerite phase to the wurtzite phase, as the latter is widely recognized as critical for ML activity. A recent study published in Advanced Materials introduces a transformative approach that not only enhances ML performance but also provides new insights into its underlying mechanism. The authors demonstrate that controllable phase transitions can be used to tune and optimize ML properties in ZnS. For the first time, they report a gradual and reversible transition between hexagonal wurtzite (wt-ZnS) and cubic sphalerite (sp-ZnS) phases at room temperature using low uniaxial pressure in the range of 0–30 MPa, a striking departure from the extreme conditions traditionally required for such transformations. Applying modest pressure with a standard tableting machine converts wt-ZnS into sp-ZnS without the need for high-temperature or high-pressure environments, while subsequent thermal annealing reverses the process, enabling reversible structural cycling. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals that this phase transition is mediated by dislocations: a 1/3⟨1120⟩ screw dislocation decomposes into two 30° Shockley partial dislocations, 1/3⟨1010⟩ and 1/3⟨0110⟩, whose glide converts portions of the wt-ZnS lattice into the sp-ZnS structure. These dislocation-driven rearrangements introduce stacking faults and localized lattice distortions that exert a profound influence on luminescence behavior. Under dynamic loading, charged dislocations facilitate carrier transport toward Mn2+ luminescent centers by altering the energy transfer pathways. Regions undergoing phase transition exhibit stronger mechanoluminescence due to an enhanced local piezoelectric field compared to areas without phase transition. The study further uncovers strikingly different responses for Mn and Cu dopants under pressure. For Mn-doped ZnS, ML intensity increases by up to 2.7 times at moderate pressures around 10 MPa, an enhancement attributed to stronger local piezoelectric fields and more efficient carrier transport. In contrast, Cu-doped ZnS exhibits pronounced ML quenching under similar conditions, underscoring the fundamentally different energy transfer pathways associated with these dopants. Pressure-thermal cycling enables tunable ML and photoluminescence (PL) properties, opening new opportunities for adaptive optical devices. The manuscript also reports on the ML behavior of Mn, Cu co-doped ZnS, which exhibits similar pressure-responsive characteristics to Cu-doped ZnS, but with the emission predominantly originating from Mn2+ centers. The authors propose a dislocation-mediated ML mechanism in which charged dislocations generate local electric fields that alter carrier migration and complexation. Under dynamic loading, the piezoelectric field in ZnS separates carriers, which become trapped at defect levels and subsequently recombine at luminescent centers, leading to light emission.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3930-3
Methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr3) single crystals (SCs) are promising for room-temperature gamma-ray and X-ray detection, but scaling their size often compromises crystal quality. Here, we report a strategic precursor stoichiometry engineering approach to grow inch-sized, high-quality MAPbBr3 SCs via a constant-temperature evaporation method. We show that constructing a robust electrical double layer through organic cation modulation effectively stabilizes the colloidal precursor. This is achieved by synergistically suppressing MA+ deprotonation while promoting MA+ adsorption as counterions on the [PbBrn]2−n complexes, which collectively strengthens interparticle repulsion and raises the nucleation barrier. This multifaceted approach yields MAPbBr3 SCs with lateral dimensions up to 2 inches and an exceptional X-ray diffraction rocking curve full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.0093° at the (002) face. Consequently, the SCs enable spectroscopic-grade gamma-ray detection, achieving energy resolutions (ER) of 8.4% for the 57Co source (122 keV) and 11.1% for the 137Cs source (662 keV), along with a high X-ray sensitivity of 1.65 × 10^4 μC Gy−1 cm−2. This work paves the way for the practical application of MAPbBr3 SCs in high-performance gamma-ray and X-ray detection.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3650-6
Aggregation-induced emission active chiral polymer dots (AIE@CPdots) are emerging as high-performance emission layers (EMLs) for circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) due to their persistent emission stability, high photoluminescence quantum yields, excellent solution processability, facile functionalization, tunable bandgap-governed emission, and superior device processability. However, reports on such systems remain scarce. In this study, a pair of chiral conjugated polymer enantiomers (R/S-PFC) was synthesized via Suzuki polymerization using three monomers: a chiral binaphthalene moiety, a fluorenyl linker, and an AIE-active cyanostyrene dye. After annealing at 110 °C, the resulting R/S-PFC self-assembled into chiral nanoparticles (AIE@CPdots) in a chloroform/n-hexane mixed solvent (9:1 v/v), exhibiting enhanced circularly polarized luminescence with a luminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_lum|) of 4.4 × 10⁻³ at 462 nm. Notably, AIE@CPdots served as the EML in CP-OLEDs, achieving high-performance circularly polarized electroluminescence with an electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_EL|) of 3.0 × 10⁻³ at 464 nm, a maximum luminance (L_max) of 6022 cd m⁻², and a maximum current efficiency (CE_max) of 1.10 cd A⁻¹. This work provides a novel strategy for designing superior EML materials for CP-OLEDs via chiral self-assembled AIE@CPdots.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510041
This study presents a full-scale engineering practice of retrofitting an idle upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor into an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system for treating low-strength municipal wastewater. The design capacity was 20,000 m3/d (maximum 24,000 m3/d), achieving separate treatment of industrial and domestic wastewater to reduce operational costs. Systematic analysis covered hydraulic capacity enhancement, effluent quality, pollutant removal efficiencies, sludge granulation progress, and operational costs. Results showed rapid start-up: the system reached 75% of design capacity by day 10 and 90% by day 26. During a 4-month operation, average removal efficiencies for COD, NH4+-N, TN, and SS were 83.2%, 97.0%, 75.9%, and 94.4%, respectively, even under low influent BOD5/TN ratios (typically below 4). Granulation progressed quickly: by day 44, average particle size was 2.6 times that of the inoculum and over 4 times that of flocs, with granules (>200 μm) accounting for 17.3%; by day 110, these values increased to 3.2 times and 5 times, with granule proportion reaching 33.4%. Compared to the previous year (June–August), the AGS process reduced electricity consumption, chemical consumption, and sludge production by 77.3%, 25.4%, and 30.4%, respectively, while saving 65.6% of footprint. This ten-thousand-ton case provides a practical basis for AGS technology application in China.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3963-5
Metal additive manufacturing (MAM) enables integrated one-piece fabrication of parts, high material utilization efficiency, and unparalleled design freedom. However, problems such as low production efficiency, difficulties in ensuring quality stability and defect control limit the large-scale industrial application of AM. In-situ active modulation for AM enables dynamic regulation of parts during the fabrication process, thereby enhancing the quality of the final fabricated parts without introducing extra processing steps. In-situ active regulation enables direct intervention during defect nucleation, providing better effectiveness than post-printing repairs while avoiding performance degradation risks associated with post-processing. Based on the difference of core factors directly affected during regulation, in-situ active regulation is categorized into the following. (1) Process and path parameter optimization, where regulation directly impacts manufacturing-related procedural rules. It is the simplest method of control and the preferred approach, with widespread attention focused on its effects on microstructure and mechanical properties. (2) Laser beam shaping, where regulation directly influences the energy carrier morphology. To address issues such as edge over-melting and localized energy deficiency caused by non-uniform energy distribution, laser beam shaping should be employed. (3) Additional physical field modulation achieved by superimposing supplementary physical fields. When optimal process and path parameters still fail to obtain the desired microstructure and mechanical properties, additional physical field control may be considered. Meanwhile, this work summarized the effects of different additional physical fields on the mechanical properties of various metallic base materials. The future trends of in-situ modulation in additive manufacturing are also discussed.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3858-8
High-quality β-Ga2O3 membranes are pivotal for fabricating high-performance memristive devices. Here, vertical Ag/β-Ga2O3/Pt memristors built on high-crystalline-quality β-Ga2O3 membranes via lattice epitaxy engineering and a sacrificial-layer-assisted exfoliation strategy are reported. The resulting β-Ga2O3-based device demonstrates a high ON/OFF ratio exceeding 10^8, low SET/RESET voltages of 0.13 V/−0.11 V, low programming current of 10^-10 A, stable data retention beyond 4 × 10^4 s, and excellent subthreshold characteristics of ~0.47 mV/dec. Adjustable compliance current enables the coexistence of volatile and non-volatile switching modes. Additionally, the resistive switching versatility is predominantly governed by the migration of Ag ions, as supported by electrical characterizations and first-principles calculations. Furthermore, a β-Ga2O3 memristor-based circuit that functions as a reconfigurable and non-volatile exclusive OR (XOR) logic gate has been designed and simulated, enabling both image encryption/decryption and edge detection. This work not only demonstrates lattice-engineered, high-quality β-Ga2O3 membranes for fabricating advanced memristors but also extends their applicability to digital logic and reconfigurable image processing.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60684-6
Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is a transition metal oxide of significant interest in heterogeneous catalysis due to its environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and favorable electrical properties. The catalytic performance of WO3 is strongly dependent on its exposed crystal facets, which exhibit distinct physicochemical properties including charge separation efficiency, reactant adsorption capacity, and redox activity. These differences arise from variations in atomic arrangement, electronic structure, and surface energy. This review systematically examines the facet effect of WO3 across photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, and thermal catalysis. Theoretical calculations are integrated to elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying facet-dependent behavior from an atomic structure perspective. The paper synthesizes general rules governing the WO3 facet effect across these applications, critically assesses current research limitations, and outlines future directions. Key findings highlight that facet engineering enables precise tuning of catalytic activity and selectivity, with specific facets such as {001}, {110}, and {010} demonstrating enhanced performance in various reactions. The review underscores the importance of morphology control in optimizing WO3-based catalysts and identifies challenges in achieving facet-selective synthesis and stability under operational conditions. Future research should focus on advanced characterization techniques and computational modeling to further unravel facet-dependent mechanisms and guide rational catalyst design.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4104-4
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising adsorbents for gas adsorption and separation, yet identifying optimal structures among their vast design space requires efficient high-throughput screening. Conventional machine-learning predictors rely heavily on specific gas-related features, which are time-consuming and limit scalability, leading to inefficiency and labor-intensive processes. Here, we propose COFAP, a universal COFs adsorption prediction framework that extracts multi-modal structural and chemical features via deep learning and fuses these complementary features through a cross-modal attention mechanism. Without relying on explicit gas-specific thermodynamic descriptors, COFAP achieves state-of-the-art prediction performance on the hypoCOFs dataset under the conditions investigated, outperforming existing approaches. Based on COFAP, we found that high-performing COFs for gas separation concentrate within a narrow range of pore size and surface area. A weight-adjustable prioritization scheme is also developed to enable flexible, application-specific ranking of candidate COFs. Superior efficiency and accuracy render COFAP directly deployable in crystalline porous materials.