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/s40843-025-3762-9
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.
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.
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.
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 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.0254-6108.2025032504
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.
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.
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.