SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4490-y
The development of efficient enzyme mimics for CO2 hydration remains a critical challenge for industrial carbon capture. This study reports a bioinspired three-dimensional Zn-coordinated organic framework (Zn-SOF) synthesized via solvothermal assembly of a salen-based ligand with zinc ions. The resulting material exhibits a carbonic anhydrase-like active site with a Zn-N2O2 coordination environment, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Zn-SOF demonstrates a CO2 hydration rate of 3.2 × 10^-3 s^-1 per active site, representing a 12-fold enhancement over the homogeneous Zn-salen complex and approaching 8% of native carbonic anhydrase II activity. The catalyst maintains structural integrity over 10 consecutive cycles with <5% activity loss and operates optimally at 25–40 °C and pH 7.4–9.0. Kinetic analysis reveals a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 28 mM for CO2 and a turnover number (kcat) of 4.1 s^-1, outperforming benchmark Zn-based mimics. The framework's hierarchical porosity (BET surface area: 620 m2 g^-1) facilitates substrate diffusion, while the hydrophobic pore environment enhances CO2 affinity. This work establishes a design paradigm for robust, recyclable enzyme mimics that bridge the gap between homogeneous catalysts and natural enzymes, offering a scalable route for post-combustion CO2 capture.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3803-8
The molecular copolymerization of donor-acceptor (D-A) interactions has been effectively utilized to modulate the charge transfer dynamics in polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) photocatalysts. Herein, a D-A configured photocatalyst (TPCN) was constructed by copolymerizing 4,4’,4’’-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl) trianiline (TAPT) as the electron donor with triazine units (electron acceptor). The unique propeller structure of TAPT, combined with the triazine framework, expanded the π-conjugated system and induced a strong built-in electric field (BIEF) across the D-A configuration. Theoretical calculations and transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that this synergistic effect facilitated intramolecular charge separation and widened the range of light absorption, indicating accelerated charge transfer and suppressed recombination in TPCN. The optimized TPCN3 sample exhibited dramatically enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production (1.74 mmol g−1 h−1), representing a 13.4-fold increase over pristine PCN. Additionally, the TPCN3 sample also exhibited significantly faster degradation kinetics than PCN counterpart toward various emerging contaminants. This work demonstrates a promising strategy for designing efficient metal-free photocatalysts for sustainable H2O2 production and environmental remediation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3538-6
The understanding of anion transporting behaviors under sub-nanoconfined regimes can guide the design of high-performance anion selective membranes (ASMs), yet it is little known. Here, we build membrane channels that combine physical rigidity with chemical affinity to anions simply through bridging graphene oxide nanosheets with charged linkers. We observe that the rigidly confined interaction imposed by channels to anions can reconfigure hydration shells in varying degrees for different anions via compensating for hydration-induced energy barriers and differentiating their rearrangement behaviors. During the configuration evolution, water molecules within hydration shells would rotate and simultaneously change their distance from the ion center. Based on the big discrepancy in configuration evolution, these membranes can realize ultrahigh selectivity of, for example, 125 for Cl−/SO4^2− and surpass the performance upper bound concerning Cl−/SO4^2− separation by other membranes. The knowledge of the configuration change of hydration shells during the dehydration process will be key to designing next-generation ASMs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3554-7
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 27.0%, rivaling silicon-based cells while halving cost, positioning them near commercialization. However, long-term outdoor stability of industrial-scale perovskite solar modules (PSMs) remains a critical challenge. Guo et al. report a milestone: an industrial-scale PSM (aperture area 785 cm2) with a PCE of 19.6% and projected T80 (time to 80% of initial PCE) exceeding 6.7 years under light-dark cycling. The PSM demonstrated stability comparable to commercial silicon solar cells during 45 days of outdoor operation. The key innovation is perovskite surface reconstruction via vapor-deposited terpyridine (Tpy), which reorganizes defective [PbI6]4− octahedra into a zero-dimensional (0D) structure with fully isolated octahedra, eliminating irreversible ion migration. Grazing-incident wide-angle X-ray scattering confirmed formation of (Tpy)2PbI6 on the surface. Time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry showed that the 0D layer confines iodine migration, making it reversible during light-dark cycles, whereas pristine films exhibit irreversible migration. Temperature-dependent conductivity revealed increased activation energy for ion migration from 0.43 to 0.68 eV. The treated films exhibited photoluminescence lifetime of 532.6 ns and trap density of 1.57×10^15 cm−3. Small-area devices (0.16 cm2) achieved PCE of 25.3%, while scaled modules (785 cm2) retained 19.6%, a new world record. This surface isolation treatment offers a scalable route to stabilize large-area PSMs for outdoor deployment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3744-9
The high-value utilization of industrial wastes is critically important for environmental protection and sustainable development. In this work, amorphous NaFeP2O7 (NFPO) and NaFeP2O7/rGO (NFPO/rGO) composite are synthesized via a selective chemical precipitation approach, utilizing industrial jarosite residue as the iron source. The sodium storage performance and mechanism of this amorphous NFPO/rGO composite as a novel cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are explored for the first time. The as-synthesized amorphous NFPO/rGO composite exhibits outstanding long-term cycling performance of 79.1 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 0.1 A g−1, while the crystalline NFPO/rGO composite does not work. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis demonstrate that the amorphous NFPO/rGO composite has high Na+ diffusivity and fast kinetics. In-situ X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the structure change from amorphous NaFeP2O7 to triclinic Na2FeP2O7 during the first discharge process and then evolves to a highly disordered structure in the subsequent charge/discharge cycles. The present work not only provides an avenue for the high-value utilization of jarosite residue but also offers theoretical guidance for the structural design and development of NaFeP2O7-based cathode materials for SIBs.
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.202507059
Anaerobic digestion sludge (ADS) contains recalcitrant organic matter and exhibits poor dewaterability, posing challenges for disposal. This study evaluated the immobilization of white rot fungi (WRF) on four carriers—polyvinyl alcohol, cotton thread, wood chips, and sodium alginate—for ADS treatment. Cotton thread immobilization yielded the earliest and most sustained enzyme activity, highest biomass retention, and minimal biomass loss. WRF treatment achieved a 10.09% removal of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and significantly disrupted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), selectively degrading soluble EPS. To maintain fungal activity, periodic carrier replacement was required. Compared to the control, the experimental group showed an 8.9 mg·L−1 reduction in total protein and polysaccharide content in soluble EPS, a 27.33% decrease in capillary suction time (CST), and improved sludge dewaterability. These results demonstrate the potential of WRF for ADS treatment.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60581-0
Lignin-derived oxygenated aromatics, particularly phenols and aromatic ethers, are promising feedstocks for synthesizing high-density, high-heat-sink aviation fuels via alkylation-hydrogenation processes. This study systematically evaluates the catalytic performance of various zeolites (Hβ, HZSM-5, MCM-41, and HUSY) in the alkylation of phenol with cyclohexanol. Characterization demonstrates that HUSY zeolite exhibits superior catalytic activity due to its favorable pore architecture and well-balanced acid site distribution, which synergistically facilitate molecular diffusion and catalytic transformations. To further enhance catalytic properties, HUSY was modified with citric acid at various concentrations and compared with NaOH and oxalic acid treatments. Results reveal that citric acid treatment preserves crystallinity while modulating acidity and pore structure. All modified zeolites enhance phenol alkylation activity. Notably, HUSY-0.5M, exhibiting the highest medium-strong acid to total acid ratio, achieves superior performance: 80.4% phenol conversion and 99.6% selectivity for alkylation products. The catalyst also shows high activity for various lignin-derived compounds (p-cresol, anisole, guaiacol), demonstrating broad applicability. This work provides a new strategy for valorizing lignin-derived phenols into high-value fuel precursors through alkylation.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0024
This study investigates the thermochemical conversion behavior of microalgae pellets in a molten hydroxide salt (80% NaOH-20% Na2CO3) system and its influence on hydrogen production. By comparing temperature evolution, gas release characteristics, and structural evolution of pellets with and without molten salt, and integrating char alkalization experiments, the regulatory mechanism of molten salt on reaction pathways and hydrogen production was systematically analyzed. Results indicate that molten salt significantly enhances internal heat transfer efficiency, achieving a central heating rate of 177 °C/s, effectively alleviating thermal hysteresis. Concurrently, molten salt promotes pore development through penetration, erosion, and catalytic effects, resulting in a porosity increase of 53.2%–104.3% after 10 s of reaction. Conversion efficiency is markedly improved, with the dominant reaction pathway shifting to char alkalization after only 70 s. Furthermore, when heating rate is increased above 600 °C, hydrogen yield from char alkalization improves more significantly, primarily attributed to the synergistic promotion of molten salt catalysis and rapid heating on volatiles reforming. This study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding efficient hydrogen production from biomass in molten hydroxide salts.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010402
Vegetable consumption is a well-established pathway for human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These contaminants are absorbed by vegetables through uptake from soil and irrigation water, leading to bioaccumulation within plant tissues and posing potential risks to human health. Therefore, monitoring PFAS concentrations in vegetables is critical for assessing dietary exposure and associated health risks. In this study, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of 24 PFAS compounds in leafy vegetables, including Shanghai Bok Choy, Cabbage, and Water Spinach. The analytical method, incorporating organic solvent extraction followed by SPE cleanup, was optimized with respect to both extraction solvent and SPE sorbent. Alkaline methanol was used as the extraction solvent, and PFAS in vegetables were extracted via vortex-assisted extraction. Tandem mass spectrometry was used for detection in multiple reaction monitoring mode, and quantification was performed by internal standard method. Under optimized conditions, at a spiking level of 2 ng, recoveries ranged from 50.0% to 120.8% with relative standard deviations (RSD) between 1.0% and 26%. Calibration curves showed good linearity with correlation coefficients (r) greater than 0.99. Limits of detection (LOD, S/N=3) were between 0.002 and 0.103 ng·g−1, and limits of quantification (LOQ, S/N=10) were between 0.007 and 0.343 ng·g−1. The method was applied to real samples, detecting 20 PFAS, with 10 compounds showing 100% detection frequency. Total PFAS concentrations ranged from 2.92 to 6.83 ng·g−1 dry weight (dw). Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was the dominant contaminant, with concentrations from 1.18 to 3.74 ng·g−1 dw. The method demonstrates good sensitivity and accuracy, effectively identifying and quantifying multiple PFAS, thus providing reliable technical support for monitoring PFAS in vegetables.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010203
The production and disposal of lithium batteries release not only hazardous metals and particulates but also substantial amounts of harmful organic pollutants. This study focuses on N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) to investigate the environmental release and human exposure of organic pollutants throughout the lithium battery lifecycle. Using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), NMP was quantified in environmental samples from battery production and dismantling facilities, as well as in pyrolysis products from simulated thermal recovery of mainstream lithium batteries. Key release stages were identified: slurry mixing and coating/drying during production; shredding, electrolyte volatilization, and high-temperature pyrolysis during disposal. In unprotected occupational settings, estimated NMP exposure via dust ingestion exceeded reference doses, underscoring the need for health impact assessments and evaluation of protective measures. This research provides critical insights into the environmental release and population exposure of organic pollutants across the lithium battery lifecycle, informing health policy for vulnerable populations.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3470-6
Inkjet printing of two-dimensional transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs) is promising for low-cost, large-scale flexible electronics, yet challenges persist due to poor crystallinity and toxic solvents. Here, we report a green ink formulation using zwitterionic cocamidopropyl betaine (CAB) as a dispersant and surfactant for liquid-phase exfoliation of single-crystalline TMDs in water and isopropanol (IPA). The dispersions contain no additives or binders, enabling direct production of stable (over one month) and concentrated (2 mg/mL) inks for MoS2, MoTe2, WS2, WSe2, and WTe2. Fully-printed MoSe2/CAB humidity sensors exhibit superior sensitivity (ΔI/I0 = 468.1) and rapid response/recovery times (27 s/0.42 s) under bending. Inkjet-printed WTe2/CAB pads on 6-μm-thick substrates demonstrate exceptional mechanical stability, with resistance variations of 1.4% under single bending and 2% after 1,000 cycles, and acquire high-quality electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyography (EMG) signals. This strategy enables scalable fabrication of TMD-based flexible electronics, advancing industrial integration.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60623-2
Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) is a promising route for direct conversion of methane to C2–C3 hydrocarbons, but conventional thermal catalysis suffers from insufficient conversion and selectivity. Here, we report a novel Mn2O3-TiO2-Na2WO4/SiO2+SiC microwave catalyst prepared by ball-milling, which enables efficient OCM under microwave irradiation. At 700 °C, the microwave catalytic reaction mode (MCRM) achieves a CH4 conversion of 26.6%, a C2–C3 selectivity of 76.5%, and a C2–C3 yield of 20.4%, significantly outperforming the conventional reaction mode (CRM) under identical conditions (12.3%, 61.9%, and 7.5%, respectively). The catalyst exhibits stable performance for 20 h in MCRM, maintaining CH4 conversion above 25% and C2–C3 selectivity above 76%. Characterization (XRD, XPS, O2-TPD, Raman) reveals that calcination promotes Mn–Ti interaction, increasing peroxy species and lattice oxygen (Oγ), which enhance reactivity and selectivity. Notably, microwave irradiation reduces the apparent activation energy from 173 kJ/mol (CRM) to 27.5 kJ/mol, facilitating free radical coupling and suppressing deep oxidation. These findings provide a low-temperature, energy-efficient strategy for methane valorization, contributing to sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025112603
The cycloaddition of carbon dioxide (CO2) to epoxides (CCE) is a 100% atom-economical transformation yielding cyclic carbonates, which are valuable chemical products. This reaction valorizes CO2 as a carbon feedstock, mitigating the greenhouse effect and aligning with carbon neutrality goals. Conventional covalent organic framework (COF) catalysts often require co-catalysts to achieve high efficiency. To address this, we designed and prepared a series of ionic COFs, denoted EB-BT(nOH), that simultaneously incorporate acid (hydroxyl), base (nitrogen), and nucleophilic bromide (Br−) functionalities. These materials efficiently catalyze the CCE reaction without any co-catalyst. Among them, EB-BT(OH) exhibited the highest catalytic activity, achieving a 99% yield of the target product at 120 °C and 2.0 MPa CO2 pressure. By systematically varying the hydroxyl content in the COF backbone, we investigated the critical role of hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) in the CCE reaction. This work provides new design principles for COF-based catalysts for CCE, eliminating the need for co-catalysts and enhancing process sustainability.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026012804
This study conducted online monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at a roadside site on a main arterial road in Haikou, a tropical city, during summer 2023 (June 25–September 30). A total of 56 VOCs were measured. The mean total VOC concentration (φ(TVOCs)) was (9.05 ± 6.24) nmol·mol−1, with concentrations in the order: alkanes > alkenes > aromatic hydrocarbons > alkynes, dominated by light alkanes. Alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons contributed significantly to atmospheric chemical reactivity, while secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP) was limited, influenced by both VOC concentrations and temperature. VOC concentrations exhibited a pronounced bimodal diurnal pattern, consistent with traffic peaks. Ratio analysis indicated a Toluene/Benzene (T/B) ratio slightly higher than typical vehicle exhaust values, and an iso-Pentane/n-Pentane (i/n) ratio suggesting fuel evaporation influence. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified four sources: gasoline/LPG vehicle exhaust (49.9%), solvent use or vehicle evaporation (26.1%), diesel vehicle exhaust (14.9%), and biogenic sources (9.1%). SOAFP was mainly contributed by solvent use/evaporation (35.7%), gasoline/LPG exhaust (34.6%), diesel exhaust (22.0%), and biogenic sources (7.7%). These findings indicate that under tropical summer high-temperature conditions, roadside VOC pollution is predominantly traffic-related, with vehicle evaporation sources non-negligible, providing insights for evaluating vehicular impacts on particulate pollution.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3797-2
Water electrolysis is a promising method for producing green hydrogen from renewable energy sources. The mainstream membrane-based water electrolysis technologies include proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), and anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE). Each technology has inherent limitations: PEMWE requires expensive platinum group metal catalysts and fluorinated membranes; AWE uses porous diaphragms, limiting operational window and differential pressure capability; AEMWE suffers from quaternary ammonium group degradation under alkaline conditions. Ion-solvating membranes (ISMs), dense polymeric membranes with solvation sites that absorb aqueous alkaline electrolytes, offer an alternative. Most ISMs are based on polybenzimidazole (PBI), but achieving high efficiency at low alkali concentrations remains a bottleneck. Introducing sulfonic acid moieties into PBI enhances water and KOH uptake, improving conductivity, but alkali stability often requires crosslinking, which hampers scale-up. Henkensmeier et al. adapted sulfonated polybenzimidazole (SPBI) membranes originally for PEM fuel cells to ISMWE. By copolymerizing sulfonated and non-sulfonated monomers, they created a series of SPBI membranes with varying sulfonation degrees. The sulfonated segments boost electrolyte uptake and conductivity, while non-sulfonated units ensure alkali resistance and mechanical stability. Deprotonated benzimidazole rings increase electron density on ether carbons, enhancing stability in basic environments. The 50SOPBI-act membrane exhibited promising performance, with record ionic conductivity of 135 mS cm−1 at room temperature and 358 mS cm−1 at 80 °C in 1 M KOH, outperforming existing AEMWE and ISMWE systems.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607007
Printing and dyeing sludge (PDS) fly ash is often classified as hazardous waste due to its high content and diversity of heavy metals (HMs). This study co-disposed PDS fly ash and heavy metal-contaminated soil to produce sintered ceramsites, investigating the effects of sintering conditions on physical properties and HM migration/transformation, and elucidating the immobilization mechanisms. The optimal sintering process was identified as preheating at 400 °C for 10 min, followed by sintering at 1150 °C for 10 min. The resulting ceramsites exhibited a 1-h water absorption of 2.7%, a bulk density of 830 kg/m³, HM volatilization rates below 15%, and a residual fraction (F4) proportion exceeding 86%. Characterization revealed that during sintering, HMs were encapsulated by the glassy phase and reacted with amorphous silica-alumina to form stable silico-aluminates, synergistically reducing HM mobility. However, sintering temperatures ≥1200 °C destabilized the ceramsite structure, causing secondary HM release. This research provides an efficient and simple route for the resource utilization of dyeing sludge fly ash and contaminated soil.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3916-3
Circularly polarized light (CPL) detection is critical to emerging technologies in optical communication, chiral sensing, and bio-inspired imaging. However, current devices rely on intrinsically chiral semiconductors that are synthetically complex and costly to scale. Here, we demonstrate robust CPL detection in achiral organic semiconductors by exploiting chiral plasmonic resonance (CPR). A self-assembled monolayer of L-phenylalanine–modified gold nanoparticles imparts optical chirality to adjacent semiconductors while enhancing photocurrent through plasmon-induced hot-carrier processes. The resulting hybrid devices exhibit nearly tenfold responsivity enhancement and a high dissymmetry factor of 0.35 at 515 nm. Mechanistic analysis reveals a field-driven, hot-carrier-assisted route to helicity sensitivity. This solution-processable approach merges plasmonic chirality with organic semiconductor versatility, providing a scalable platform for next-generation on-chip chiroptoelectronic and polarization-imaging technologies.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511025
Under the national carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, carbon reduction in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has been largely overlooked, yet accurate accounting is the first step toward mitigation. This study establishes a carbon emission accounting method for a municipal WWTP in Lanzhou, covering the operation and maintenance phase, to identify key emission sources and propose feasible reduction pathways. The results show that the total annual carbon emission in 2023 was 61,399.80 t CO2-eq, with an emission intensity of 0.71 kg CO2-eq per tonne of wastewater treated. Monthly emissions were relatively stable, with a coefficient of variation of 3.46%. Direct emissions accounted for 47.47% of the total, with N2O being the dominant contributor (61.89% of direct emissions), followed by CO2 (30.88%) and CH4 (7.23%). Indirect emissions accounted for 52.53%, dominated by electricity consumption (95.15% of indirect emissions). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that direct carbon emissions per tonne were significantly correlated with influent BOD5 concentration, influent TN concentration, BOD5 removal rate, and TN removal rate (P < 0.01). Sensitivity analysis identified sewer retention time, fossil carbon fraction in influent, and solids retention time as the most influential parameters, with sensitivity coefficients of 0.42, 0.35, and 0.28, respectively. Considering uncertainties in emission factors and monitoring errors, the 95% confidence interval for annual total emissions was 55,200–67,600 t CO2-eq, corresponding to an emission intensity of 0.64–0.79 kg CO2-eq per tonne. Recommendations focus on three synergistic reduction strategies: reducing source emissions, lowering energy consumption, and enhancing carbon compensation.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026051001
Haikou, a representative tropical city in China, experiences air pollution influenced by both local emissions and regional transport. This study analyzed O3 and PM2.5 concentrations, emission sources, and meteorological fields from Haikou and Guangdong-Guangxi cities in 2024, employing correlation analysis and the Weighted Potential Source Contribution Function (WPSCF) to systematically investigate spatial-temporal patterns, regional linkages, and transport mechanisms. Results revealed distinct pollution characteristics: Hainan exhibited prominent O3 pollution in autumn and winter, while the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in Guangdong suffered significant O3 pollution year-round, positioning it as the core control area. Guangxi was characterized by severe PM2.5 pollution in winter with extensive high concentration areas. Haikou's O3 and PM2.5 concentrations showed strong correlations with those in Zhanjiang and Maoming throughout the year, particularly in winter. Regional transport analysis indicated that O3 pollution in Haikou depended on stable cross-regional precursor transport coupled with intense photochemical conditions, whereas PM2.5 exhibited diverse transport pathways across seasons. Lag effect analysis confirmed that pollution exceedance days were substantially influenced by upwind transport from the previous day, highlighting the dominant role of cross-regional physical transport. Autumn pollution was driven by stable surface northeasterly winds and upper-level uniform pressure fields. Potential source areas were highly consistent with the MEIC emission inventory, confirming distinct contributions of transport pathways for O3 and PM2.5. These findings provide a scientific basis for differentiated collaborative control of air pollution in tropical coastal cities.
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/s40843-026-4101-5
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) represent a frontier in catalytic science, offering theoretically 100% atom utilization, tunable electronic structures, and coordination microenvironments, with broad prospects in energy conversion and high-end chemical synthesis. However, atomic-scale challenges—disordered active site distribution, constrained electronic structures, metal atom agglomeration, limited loading capacity, and insufficient coordination environment precision—severely restrict performance optimization and practical deployment. This review systematically analyzes the mechanistic interconnections among these challenges, framing them as a multi-level, coupled systemic problem rather than isolated issues. It summarizes recent regulation strategies including support engineering, coordination regulation, spatial confinement, and dynamic synthesis, emphasizing the value of multi-strategy synergy for performance breakthroughs. Future research directions include developing in-situ characterization with high spatial and temporal resolution, exploring multi-site synergistic catalytic mechanisms, and constructing standardized databases and rational design platforms. These efforts aim to enable large-scale advances in clean energy and green chemical processes.