SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4500-8
Electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene offers a promising route for renewable electricity storage, yet achieving high ethylene selectivity at industrial current densities remains challenging due to the large energy barrier for C–C coupling. Here, we report a “MOF-assisted in situ doping” strategy to introduce the oxophilic nonmetal phosphorus (P) into the copper oxide (CuO) lattice, constructing a localized Cu–P dual-site adsorption configuration for the key *OCCHO intermediate. The optimized catalyst delivers an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 64.6% for ethylene with a partial current density of 646 mA cm-2. Comprehensive structural characterizations demonstrate that P mainly occupies Cu sites, generating abundant lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. In situ synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that P doping modulates the electronic structure of Cu, optimizes the binding energies of *CO and *CHO, and stabilizes *OCCHO via P–O/Cu–C dual-site adsorption, thereby significantly lowering the asymmetric C-C coupling energy barrier to 0.74 eV. This work highlights a dual-site microenvironment regulation strategy for CO2-to-ethylene electroreduction.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4113-3
Constructing abundant grain boundary defects is a promising strategy for developing high-efficiency catalysts. However, achieving dense grain boundary defects in CuO and Cu at the nanoscale remains challenging. Inspired by Turing patterns in nature, a Turing-type CuO catalyst (TGB-CuO) with abundant grain boundaries at ~10 nm nanoscale was prepared by annealing a dodecyl sulfate-intercalated basic copper carbonate. The balanced diffusion-reaction dynamics during pyrolysis drove the spontaneous formation of Turing-type grain boundary architectures in TGB-CuO. The resulting TGB-CuO electrode exhibited outstanding performance in electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECO2RR), delivering a Faradaic efficiency of 80.15% toward multi-carbon (C2+) products and maintaining over 50% ethylene selectivity at 300 mA cm−2 for 30 h of continuous operation. Activity investigations indicated that the metallic Cu retaining Turing-type grain boundary features (TGB-Cu) formed during electroreduction was responsible for the enhanced ECO2RR performance. The Cu(100)/(100), Cu(100)/(111), and Cu(111)/(111) grain boundaries promoted CO2 activation and *CO adsorption, while lowering the free energy barriers for the rate-determining *CO2− → *COOH step and C–C coupling step. This bioinspired reaction-diffusion strategy offers a new paradigm for creating high-density grain boundary defects, offering a general route toward efficient catalyst design.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3835-0
The development of high-performance CO2 separation membranes is critical for advancing carbon capture technologies. Two-dimensional (2D) material membranes, with tunable interlayer nanochannels functionalized by nanomaterials (e.g., metal ions), are promising for CO2 capture. However, achieving uniform nanomaterial distribution without compromising separation performance remains a challenge. Here, we propose a multifunctional molecular immobilization strategy to fabricate a metal ion intercalated graphene oxide (GO) membrane with enhanced CO2 capture performance. The multifunctional molecule sodium p-aminobenzenesulfonate (SPABS) enables in situ and uniform distribution of Na+ in the interlayer channels of the GO membrane. The amino groups of SPABS undergo nucleophilic addition reactions with epoxy groups on GO sheets, resulting in stable interlayer channels. Meanwhile, the hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups enhance water adsorption capacity in the GO interlayer channels, synergizing with Na+ to form active sites that facilitate fast and selective transport of CO2 over N2. The resulting membrane exhibits enhanced CO2 capture performance. A large-sized membrane (15 cm × 20 cm) fabricated by scalable blade-casting shows reproducible performance. This work provides insights and a tool for tailoring nanochannels of 2D material membranes for molecular separation.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60618-9
Aromatic hydrocarbons, essential chemical feedstocks for fuels, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceuticals, are predominantly derived from petroleum refining. The catalytic conversion of lignin, a major lignocellulosic component, offers a renewable route to these chemicals. This review systematically examines the influence of pyrolysis methods, catalysts, and reaction conditions on the catalytic pyrolysis of lignin to aromatic hydrocarbons. Key parameters include catalyst acidity and pore structure, which govern selectivity and yield. Reaction temperature, catalyst-to-lignin ratio, and residence time critically affect product distribution. The review outlines catalytic mechanisms, such as deoxygenation, cracking, and aromatization, and highlights the role of zeolite catalysts, particularly HZSM-5, in enhancing monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon yields. Metal modification (e.g., Fe, Ni, Ga) and pretreatment strategies (e.g., torrefaction) are discussed for improving efficiency. Challenges remain in catalyst deactivation due to coking and the complexity of lignin structure. Future research directions include developing robust catalysts, optimizing reactor designs, and integrating processes for industrial viability. This review provides theoretical and technological guidance for advancing lignin-to-aromatics conversion.
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.