SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4439-4
Silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels are promising for neural regeneration but suffer from progressive stiffening due to excessive β-sheet assembly, limiting their use in traumatic brain injury (TBI) repair. This study introduces a dopamine (DA)-mediated synergistic topological entanglement strategy to construct an SF-DA/gelatin-DA composite hydrogel (SG). The system integrates covalent cross-linking, net cationic electrostatic repulsion, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking to regulate SF assembly dynamics at the molecular level. The resulting SG hydrogel maintains stable mechanical softness over extended periods, with a storage modulus of approximately 1.2 kPa after 28 days, compared to a 5-fold increase in pure SF hydrogels. The sustained softness promotes neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation, with a 2.5-fold increase in βIII-tubulin expression and a 1.8-fold increase in GFAP expression after 14 days. In a rat TBI model, SG hydrogel implantation reduced glial scar formation by 40% and improved neurological function scores by 30% at 8 weeks. The hydrogel degrades at a rate of 12% per week, matching tissue regeneration. This multi-crosslinking approach offers a clinically translatable strategy for neural tissue engineering, addressing the critical bottleneck of mechanical instability in SF-based biomaterials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4479-8
The von Neumann architecture is increasingly constrained by energy consumption and data-transfer efficiency as artificial intelligence and data-intensive applications expand. Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the human brain's information-processing mechanisms, offers an alternative paradigm. Two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric materials are promising candidates due to their intrinsic non-volatility, atomic-scale thickness, ultra-low power consumption, excellent fatigue endurance, and dangling-bond-free surfaces. This review examines recent advances in 2D ferroelectric materials and associated device architectures for neuromorphic applications. It first introduces ferroelectric mechanisms and representative 2D ferroelectrics, then surveys key device architectures including ferroelectric tunnel junctions, diodes, transistors, and photovoltaic devices. Their applications in in-memory computing and in-sensor neuromorphic systems are discussed, with emphasis on artificial neural networks, spiking neural networks, reservoir computing, and neuromorphic perception for efficient information processing and intelligent sensing. The unique properties of 2D ferroelectrics enable integrated sensing, memory, and computing functionalities, demonstrating potential for future neuromorphic and brain-inspired intelligent systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4505-9
Transition metal hydroxides are promising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for alkaline water electrolysis. This study reports Ce-doped Co(OH)2 electrocatalysts synthesized via one-step electrodeposition, where the Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio is precisely controlled by deposition temperature. The optimized Ce-Co(OH)2 catalyst, obtained at 40°C, exhibits an overpotential of 236 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and maintains stability for 200 h. In an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE), the Ce-Co(OH)2 anode achieves a cell voltage of 2.04 V at 1 A cm-2 and operates for over 500 h at 500 mA cm-2. Mechanistic analysis reveals that Ce3+/Ce4+ dynamic electron buffering regulates surface reconstruction: during OER, electron transfer direction reverses (Ce → O → Co), with Ce donating electrons to Co sites to prevent over-oxidation and structural collapse. This work establishes a versatile strategy for balancing surface reconstruction and structural stability in Co-based OER catalysts, providing a foundation for designing high-performance, durable alkaline water oxidation electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4245-4
The discrimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at trace concentrations remains a critical challenge for environmental monitoring, industrial process control, and non-invasive disease diagnostics. Conventional electronic noses rely on sensor arrays comprising multiple chemically distinct receptors, which introduces fabrication complexity, calibration drift, and cross-sensitivity. Here, we demonstrate that a single-component Ti3C2Tx MXene (TM) sensor array, engineered through controlled surface chemistry and device architecture, generates independent and high-dimensional characteristics (IHC) sufficient for precise VOC pattern recognition. By exploiting the intrinsic heterogeneity of TM basal planes and edge sites, we achieve differential interaction motifs without expanding elemental composition. The array discriminates VOCs including acetone, ethanol, toluene, and hexane at concentrations down to 100 ppb with classification accuracy exceeding 95%. Principal component analysis reveals distinct clustering with cumulative variance of 92.3% captured by the first three principal components. The sensor exhibits a limit of detection of 50 ppb for acetone and response/recovery times of 12 s and 18 s, respectively. Long-term stability tests over 30 days show less than 5% signal degradation. This single-component strategy simplifies fabrication, reduces calibration overhead, and offers a scalable pathway for miniaturized, low-power VOC sensing platforms compatible with Internet of Things (IoT) deployment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4441-7
Early detection of kidney injury remains difficult because routine clinical indicators often lag behind tissue damage. Here we report uNP-CH1055, an ultrasmall renal-clearable NIR-II fluorescent nanoprobe for non-invasive imaging of kidney injury in vivo. uNP-CH1055 formed stable nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic diameter of 3.3 nm, showed good photostability, enabled low-background imaging under a 1200 nm long-pass filter, and underwent rapid renal clearance after intravenous administration. It also exhibited favorable biocompatibility in both cellular and animal studies. In three mechanistically distinct models of renal injury, cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury, ischemia–reperfusion injury and unilateral ureteral obstruction, renal fluorescence increased with injury severity and closely paralleled biochemical and histological indicators, including blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, KIM-1 and TUNEL-based readouts. These results identify uNP-CH1055 as a renal-clearable NIR-II probe for early and quantitative assessment of kidney injury across different pathological settings.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4476-1
Self-sustained oscillation in soft actuators enables autonomous, untethered robotic locomotion, yet existing light-driven systems suffer from low oscillation frequencies, rapid photothermal degradation, and reliance on external controllers. This work presents a bat-inspired soft robot that converts continuous near-infrared (NIR) irradiation into sustained rotational motion via a coiled MXene-based liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuator. The actuator integrates Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets as photothermal converters within an LCE matrix, achieving a photothermal conversion efficiency of 78.3% and a steady-state temperature of 142 °C under 1.5 W cm−2 NIR (808 nm). The coil geometry induces a self-shadowing effect that generates periodic light exposure, producing autonomous oscillation at 2.7 Hz with an amplitude of 45°. The robot demonstrates a rotational speed of 120 rpm and a specific power density of 3.2 W kg−1, outperforming previously reported light-driven oscillators by a factor of 2.5. Under continuous operation for 10,000 cycles, the actuator retains 92% of its initial oscillation amplitude, with a degradation rate of 0.008% per cycle. The bat-inspired wing morphology enables directional rotation and obstacle avoidance in confined spaces. This platform eliminates the need for external modulation, offering a scalable route to autonomous soft robotics for inspection, environmental monitoring, and micro-manipulation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4311-y
Chronic infections caused by biofilms of drug-resistant bacteria pose a significant challenge in clinical treatment. Traditional NIR-I photothermal therapy has limitations, including restricted tissue penetration and potential damage to normal tissues due to high temperatures. While NIR-II light offers deeper penetration, there remains a scarcity of materials capable of simultaneously responding to both NIR-I and NIR-II wavelengths and integrating multiple sterilization mechanisms under mild conditions. In this study, a Fe-based high-entropy spinel oxide (HEOs) was designed and synthesized. Benefiting from lattice distortion induced by the high-entropy effect and the hybridization of multiple metal d-orbitals, the material achieves cooperative optimization of its electronic band structure. Consequently, it exhibits efficient broad-spectrum photothermal properties across both NIR-I and NIR-II regions alongside excellent peroxidase-like (POD) activity. Under dual-wavelength laser irradiation, the material enables mild yet efficient photothermal conversion (<50 °C) while simultaneously catalyzing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate abundant hydroxyl radicals (·OH), thereby constructing a synergistic antibacterial system combining dual-window photothermal therapy and enzymatic catalysis. In vitro experiments confirmed that the HEOs possesses potent bactericidal and biofilm eradication capabilities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In a mouse model of drug-resistant bacterial wound infection, the material, assisted by either NIR-I or NIR-II laser irradiation, effectively cleared the infection, reduced inflammation, and promoted collagen deposition and angiogenesis, thereby significantly accelerating wound healing. This work not only provides a novel strategy for developing dual-window-responsive antibacterial materials for deep-tissue infections but also deepens the understanding of the structure-activity relationship in high-entropy materials at the electronic structure level.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4426-y
Biomedical Mg alloys are candidate biodegradable metals for orthopedic and cardiovascular implants, yet their in vivo service life is governed by coupled mechanical-chemical attack that accelerates loss of mechanical integrity. This review consolidates recent advances in stress-assisted degradation of Mg alloys under physiological conditions, focusing on stress corrosion cracking (SCC), flow-induced corrosion, and corrosion fatigue. Biomechanical-chemical coupling test methods are assessed for their capacity to reproduce physiological loading, fluid shear, and electrolyte chemistry. Mechanistic pathways are analyzed, including anodic dissolution, hydrogen-induced cracking, passivation film rupture, and flow-induced shear stress. Modification strategies for enhancing resistance to stress-assisted degradation are categorized into alloying design, microstructure regulation, and surface treatments. The review further evaluates computer-aided predictive models and multi-physics coupling frameworks that link pit-to-crack transitions, phase-field damage localization, and mechano-chemical peridynamics. Empirical data from the cited literature demonstrate that SCC and corrosion fatigue in chloride-containing media reduce fatigue strength by 40–70% relative to air, while flow-induced shear stresses above approximately 1 Pa disrupt protective films and elevate degradation rates. These findings establish quantitative benchmarks for alloy design and surface engineering. The review concludes that integrating multi-physics modeling with physiologically relevant testing is essential for predicting implant service stability and accelerating clinical translation of high-performance biomedical Mg alloys.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4502-1
Near-infrared-II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) luminescent materials are pivotal for deep-tissue bioimaging and optical communication, yet their performance is often limited by low quantum yields and thermal quenching. Here, we report a thermal-enhanced NIR-II luminescence in Sb3+/Er3+ co-doped Cs3GdCl6 microcrystals synthesized via a modified Bridgman method. Under ultraviolet excitation, the co-doped microcrystals exhibit intense NIR-II emission centered at 1532 nm corresponding to Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition, with a maximum relative sensitivity of 1.2% K−1 at 303 K. Notably, the integrated NIR-II emission intensity increases by 2.3-fold from 298 K to 373 K, demonstrating anomalous thermal enhancement. This behavior is attributed to the thermally activated energy transfer from Sb3+ sensitizers to Er3+ activators, as confirmed by temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra and decay kinetics. The energy transfer efficiency reaches 86% at room temperature and further improves with rising temperature. The microcrystals also show excellent photostability, retaining 95% of initial intensity after 120 min continuous UV irradiation. Furthermore, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept wireless optical communication link using the microcrystals as a NIR-II phosphor, achieving a signal-to-noise ratio of 30 dB at 400 Hz modulation frequency. These findings provide a new strategy for designing thermal-enhanced NIR-II luminescent materials and expand their potential in temperature sensing and optical communication.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4244-0
Near-infrared perovskite light-emitting diodes (NIR-PeLEDs) suffer from poor operational stability, largely due to interfacial reactions at the electron-transport layer (ETL)/perovskite interface. Here, we introduce a zinc ion (Zn2+)-chelated hybrid ETL derived from a Zn2+-chelated polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE) complex, which partially retains the surface properties of ZnO but exhibits significantly reduced oxygen defects and surface-adsorbed hydroxyl groups. This well-modulated surface promotes perovskite crystallization and mitigates interface-induced deprotonation of organic cations during device operation. Consequently, NIR-PeLEDs employing this hybrid ETL achieve a peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 20.1%, a high radiance of 652 W sr-1 m-2, and an exceptional T50 lifetime of 270.7 hours at a high current density of 100 mA cm-2, which is over five times that of devices based on conventional ZnO nanocrystal (NC) ETLs. Our results present an effective ETL strategy for operationally stable NIR-PeLEDs and thoroughly reveal the critical role of regulating interfacial reactions in stabilizing buried interfacial contacts. These findings provide valuable insights for advancing perovskite optoelectronic devices that suffer from interface-induced performance degradation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4302-9
The pre-deposited lead iodide (PbI2) film in two-step inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) often exhibits a dense structure, which impedes the diffusion and reaction of organic ammonium salts, leading to unreacted PbI2 residues and compromised device performance. To address this, 2,4-oxazolidinedione (OD) is introduced as a molecule additive into the PbI2 precursor solution. Owing to its stronger coordination with PbI2, OD effectively modulates its crystallization behavior, resulting in a porous structure. This porous structure significantly facilitates the diffusion and infiltration of organic ammonium salts, thereby minimizing PbI2 residue and enhancing the completeness of the perovskite conversion. Furthermore, OD and the constructed porous network jointly retard the crystallization kinetics of perovskite, promoting the formation of perovskite films with improved crystallinity and preferred crystal orientation. Therefore, the optimized PSCs achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.31%, and demonstrate excellent operational stability, retaining 90.24% of initial PCE for 1500 h at 25°C and 90.47% after 1000 h at 65°C. The champion device exhibits a VOC of 1.197 V, a JSC of 26.28 mA cm-2, and an FF of 83.58%, with negligible hysteresis. This study presents a straightforward yet effective approach to advancing the performance and stability of inverted PSCs fabricated via the two-step method.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4319-x
This erratum corrects an error in the Acknowledgments section of the original article 'Investigation on graphene growth by roll-to-roll chemical vapor deposition' published in Science China Materials, Vol. 65, Issue 4, page 1042, 2022. The authors regret that the funding number (No. (2021)105) for the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program was incorrectly used. The correct funding number is No. KQTD20200820113010022. The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused. This correction does not affect the scientific content, results, or conclusions of the original paper. The original research focused on the kinetics of graphene growth via roll-to-roll chemical vapor deposition (CVD), a scalable method for producing high-quality graphene films. The study addressed challenges in continuous manufacturing, such as uniformity, growth rate, and defect control, and provided insights into optimizing process parameters for industrial-scale production. The erratum ensures accurate attribution of funding sources, maintaining the integrity of the research record.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4376-3
Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) surpasses the diffraction limit to achieve molecular-scale resolution, but conventional probes suffer from photobleaching, limiting imaging duration. In a recent Nature Photonics article, Ren and co-workers introduced spontaneous photoblinking upconversion microscopy (SPUM) using Yb3+/Ho3+ co-doped core–shell–shell upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs, NaYF4@NaYb/HoF4@NaLuF4). These UCNPs exhibit exceptional photostability and persistent, reversible blinking under 976 nm continuous-wave excitation, with negligible photodegradation. The blinking mechanism involves a Yb3+ multiphoton process coupled with defect-mediated energy trapping, switching the UCNPs between emissive (on) and non-emissive (off) states. Kinetic analysis revealed single-exponential bright-state dwell times and biexponential dark-state dwell times, indicating one decay pathway into a non-emissive state and two recovery pathways. In live-cell imaging, synchronized transport of UCNPs maintained constant interparticle distance and near-unity positional correlation. In fixed cells, Fourier ring correlation (FRC) resolution reached 30 nm, confirming sub-50 nm performance in biological specimens. This work provides an unprecedented combination of low duty cycle and photostability, establishing a foundation for non-photobleaching luminescent nanomaterials in long-term super-resolution imaging and nanoscale tracking.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4385-1
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are effective hole-selective contacts for inverted perovskite solar cells, but scalable deposition on rough substrates is hindered by molecular aggregation, disordered packing, and incomplete adsorption. We propose a hybrid strategy incorporating 4-(Piperidin-4-yl)butanoic acid hydrochloride (PBACl) into the 4PABCz solution during dip-coating. PBACl suppresses aggregation via hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions, yielding homogeneous coverage and improved wettability. The piperidine and carboxyl groups passivate buried interfacial defects through hydrogen bonding and coordination with perovskites. Small-area cells achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.09%, while a 5 cm × 5 cm mini-module (aperture area 14.4 cm²) delivers 23.29% PCE. Encapsulated devices retain 80% of initial PCE after 1350 h maximum power point tracking under continuous illumination. This ion modulation strategy bridges molecular-level interface control with scalable processing, offering a pathway to industrially relevant perovskite photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4378-6
Electrical stimulation (ES) is a powerful strategy to mimic endogenous bioelectricity and accelerate complex tissue regeneration, such as chronic wound healing. However, aligning external stimulation with native bioelectrical and biochemical signals for rapid and scarless tissue regeneration remains challenging. Here, we report a wireless bioelectronic dressing (E-dressing) that establishes stable bioelectronic interfaces and precisely modulates cellular physiological activities. Bioactive allylamine-functionalized gold clusterzymes (AM-AuNCs) with intrinsic superoxide dismutase-like activity were designed as functional modifiers to co-polymerize with acrylic acid (AA), forming conductive p(AA-AuNCs) hydrogels. AM-AuNCs impart the hydrogel with superior antioxidant activity, robust interfacial adhesion, and high conductivity, enabling rapid hemostasis, efficient electrical stimulation transmission, and precise fibroblast regulation. Combined with 1.00 V of electrical stimulation, the p(AA-AuNCs) hydrogel significantly promotes fibroblast proliferation, migration, and alignment by upregulating TGF-β, FGF-2, and EGF. Integrated with a biocompatible, flexible zinc-ion battery delivering sustained and tunable electrical signals for over 7 days, the E-dressing precisely guides collagen remodeling, inhibits myofibroblast activation, and maintains Col I/Col III balance, leading to a 5-fold acceleration of wound closure and a 65.5% reduction in scar formation. This multifunctional E-dressing represents a promising bioelectronic device for precise cellular regulation and multimodal regenerative therapy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4316-0
The rapid development of small molecule acceptors (SMAs) has enabled organic photovoltaics (OPVs) to achieve power conversion efficiencies exceeding 21%. Structural asymmetry has emerged as a particularly effective approach for boosting acceptor performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of asymmetric SMAs from the molecular scale to the nanoscale and macroscale. The main text is organized into four sections: molecular design strategies for structural asymmetry, crystal structure evolution from symmetry breaking, morphological characteristics revealed by advanced characterization techniques, and energy loss mechanisms involving asymmetric SMAs. At the molecular scale, asymmetry enables precise modulation of dipole moments and intermolecular interactions, directly affecting crystalline packing and charge-transport networks. At the nanoscale, it further regulates domain purity, phase continuity, and molecular orientation. Asymmetric designs can also help mitigate non-radiative voltage loss through modulation of charge-transfer state energetics. Overall, asymmetric molecular design introduces additional structural and electronic tunability, offering new opportunities for overcoming the trade-offs that limit OPV performance. Finally, we discuss ongoing challenges and outline future perspectives to guide continued development and innovation in asymmetric SMA design.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4192-y
Electrochemical water splitting is pivotal for scalable green hydrogen production, yet its practical deployment hinges on cost-effective electrocatalysts with high activity and durability. This study introduces a low-cost, three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous ZrVFeCoNi material fabricated via chemical dealloying, at merely 0.16% of the cost of Pt. The structure-activity relationship between its microstructure and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance was systematically explored. Lattice defect effects from multiphase intermetallic compounds, combined with multi-metal synergy, optimize H+ adsorption energy and electron transfer kinetics. The 3D nanoporous architecture provides a high electrochemical surface area with abundant active sites, enhancing electrolyte penetration and reducing interfacial mass transfer resistance. Consequently, the ZrVFeCoNi electrode exhibits outstanding HER performance, requiring only a 38 mV overpotential to reach 10 mA cm−2 and maintaining stable operation for 1000 h at 500 mA cm−2. Integrated into a full water electrolyzer (ZrVFeCoNi || IrO2/Ni), the system achieves a cell voltage of 1.60 V at a current density of 400 mA cm−2. Advanced characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that interfacial interactions and charge transfer at heterointerfaces drive catalytic activity, showcasing the potential of 3D nano-structured multiphase intermetallic compounds as high-performance electrocatalysts for green hydrogen systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4251-2
The human vascular system, characterized by multi-scale topological complexity, serves as the fundamental infrastructure for nutrient transport, hemodynamic regulation, and immune surveillance. Replicating this system is critical for injury repair, disease modeling, and organ-on-a-chip development, yet a key gap persists between structural mimicry and full functional reproduction. This review evaluates how emerging 3D printing strategies are advancing beyond geometric imitation toward integrated physiological functions, thereby helping to bridge this divide. Over the past decade, 3D printing has advanced significantly in functional vascular reconstruction via precise molding and cell-material integration. This review summarizes the latest progress, including material design, molding methods, and structural optimization, focusing on 3D printing breakthroughs in three core scenarios: high-fidelity in vitro vascular models, in vivo tissue functional replacement, and vascularized organ-on-a-chip systems. Furthermore, this review delves into the existing challenges and future prospects of these application directions. Keywords: vascular reconstruction, 3D printing, bionic vessels, hydrogel.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3691-9
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has significantly advanced NIR light sources, yet creating NIR emitters with optimal luminescence properties, high thermal stability, and adjustable emission peaks remains a critical challenge for future smart NIR devices. Here, we introduce a chemical unit cosubstitution strategy by incorporating Ca2+ and Sn4+ ions into the garnet structure. Through this approach, Y3−yCayGa4.95−ySnyO12:0.05Cr3+ (y = 0–1) phosphors were developed by modulating the A&C ligands, resulting in emission centers ranging from 708 to 768 nm. The modified local environment of Cr3+ accounts for the increased light intensity (2.71 times) and broadening observed. Furthermore, this study investigated the impact of varying Cr3+ concentrations (Y2.6Ca0.4Ga4.6−xSn0.4O12:xCr3+) on the production of high-performance phosphors. Compared with Y3Ga4.93O12:0.07Cr3+, the optimized phosphor exhibited exceptional external quantum efficiency (EQE = 34.96%). The luminescence enhancement is attributed to an increase in radiative transitions caused by octahedral Jahn-Teller distortion, whereas the notable thermal stability (91.3% at 423 K) is attributed to the presence of weak electron-phonon coupling (EPC) and oxygen vacancy (OV) defects. Finally, by combining it with a 450 nm blue LED chip, we constructed a near-infrared phosphor-converted LED (NIR pc-LED) device with superior electroluminescence efficiency (18.8% @ 100 mA), increasing the ultralow quenching rate (< 5% intensity loss after 30 days of operation) and demonstrating remarkable performance in plant lighting applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3588-2
The rapid evolution of aerospace technology necessitates the development of multi-functional composites that combine light weight, mechanical robustness, thermal protection/insulation, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. C/SiC porous ceramic composites are promising for thermal protection in hypersonic vehicles. Here, we report a facile strategy to fabricate Cf/SiC composite polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) via re-pyrolysis of high-energy ball-milled polycarbosilane-vinyltriethoxysilane-graphene oxide (PVG) with Cf/SiC(rGO)p blend interleaves. In-situ generated honeycomb-like cellular structures and non-directional channels reduce density and increase porosity. High-quality SiO2 joints, formed from Si-dangling bonds, strengthen interfacial bonding via a brazing effect, while in-situ SiOC nanowires (SiOCnws) create a hierarchically enhanced network, improving fracture toughness and crack resistance. Multi-scale interfacial/dipole polarization enhances EMI shielding. The optimized Cf(0.2)/SiC(rGO) composite exhibits low density (1.49 g cm−3), high fracture toughness (6.32 MPa m1/2), hardness (7.18 GPa), compressive strength (72.67 MPa), and EMI shielding effectiveness of 58.31 dB. It maintains structural stability under butane blowtorch ablation at ~1300 °C for 3600 s. Porous variants show thermal conductivity of 0.211 W m−1 K−1 with 69.74% porosity. These multi-functional composites are promising for thermal protection systems in aerospace applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3793-9
Organic solar cells (OSCs) require both a high donor/acceptor (D/A) interfacial area for efficient exciton dissociation and a vertically phase-separated morphology for efficient charge transport. Traditional bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) provide large interfacial areas but lack vertical phase separation, while quasi-planar heterojunctions (QPHJs) achieve vertical separation at the cost of reduced interfacial contact. Here, we introduce an in situ pore-forming strategy for polymer thin films. By incorporating an excess of additives as pore-forming agents into the donor layer, a nanoporous film with a fibrous nano-network is generated. Subsequent deposition of acceptor molecules fills these nanopores, creating a hybrid planar/bulk heterojunction (HP/BHJ) that synergizes the strengths of both architectures. This design enhances performance by: (1) increasing the D/A interfacial area via nanopores, forming a three-dimensional network that accelerates exciton dissociation; (2) promoting close molecular packing that minimizes carrier recombination and establishes low-defect charge transport channels; and (3) fostering vertical phase separation through layer-by-layer deposition. Binary OSCs fabricated with this strategy achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.0%, surpassing conventional BHJ and QPHJ devices by a significant margin. The approach demonstrates general applicability, with analogous improvements observed in D18/BTP-eC9-4F and PM6/L8-BO systems, underscoring its potential for advancing OSC performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3604-1
Piezoelectric materials convert mechanical energy into electrical signals, enabling applications in sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting. Inorganic ceramics like PZT and BTO exhibit excellent piezoelectric properties but are brittle, limiting their use in flexible electronics. This work presents a porous composite of PZT@carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The core-shell structure enhances interfacial compatibility, while the porous TPU skeleton facilitates stress transfer and amplification, allowing high piezoelectric content. The resulting PZT@CMCS/TPU devices achieve an output voltage of 53 V and current of 13 μA, an 11-fold improvement over conventional PZT composite films. This approach enables flexible piezoelectric devices with high performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3556-6
Photon avalanche (PA) is a nonlinear optical phenomenon characterized by steep upconversion emission growth with excitation power. Since the first demonstration of PA on nanoscale and at room temperature in 2021, PA luminescence of lanthanides has attracted considerable attention in nano- and bio-photonics. However, PA nanoparticles (NPs) remain restricted to a limited range of material systems and lanthanide ions, facing challenges including inadequate nonlinearity (N), high excitation threshold (P_th), and deficient chromaticity. In a recent publication in Nature Photonics, Dong and co-workers reported a new class of PA nanosystem based on Ho3+-doped fluoride NPs, which afforded tunable PA chromaticity for multicolor sub-diffraction imaging. Unlike conventional PA systems reliant on a single reservoir level, this study introduced a novel 'parallel PA' (PPA) mechanism leveraging the dual long-lived intermediate reservoir levels (5I7 and 5I6) of Ho3+, facilitating simultaneous operation of two PA loops to generate multicolor emissions. Under 965 nm continuous-wave excitation, the PPA of Ho3+ produced simultaneous red-green-blue emissions with large N (>20). Differential rate equation modelling identified all PA signatures, including clear P_th, S-shaped curves, extremely high sigma_ESA/sigma_GSA ratio of ~75000, and volcano-shaped rise time. The engineered NaGdF4:10%Ho@NaYF4 core/shell PA NPs (~19.6 nm) exhibited remarkably high N of 17–22 with mild P_th of ~22 kW cm−2 and fast response time of 343–371 ms. By screening host lattices and introducing co-dopants, PA chromaticity was precisely tailored, demonstrating unparalleled emission tunability for multicolor super-resolution imaging.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(25)61012-2
We report a method for increasing the mechanical strength of carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers while enabling the uniform adhesion of cerium oxide (CeO2) abrasive particles to them using polyethyleneimine (PEI). Results show that 5% of PEI increases the tensile strength of CNT fibers by approximately 175%. CeO2 particles were uniformly deposited on the reinforced CNT fibers by electrophoretic deposition. A flexible polishing tool was fabricated by weaving the CeO2-CNT fibers into a non-woven fabric substrate. When used to polish potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals, the tool reduced the surface roughness from 200 to 7.6 nm within 10 min. This approach has potential use for the development of new precision processing tools.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3738-1
The escalating demand for intelligent and functional textiles, driven by technological advancements, has shifted focus from conventional attributes like warmth and aesthetics to smart functionalities. Natural biomass-derived polysaccharides, owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, and unique chemical structures, are pivotal for next-generation flexible wearable smart textiles. This review systematically outlines common natural polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose, chitosan, starch, alginate) used in such textiles, detailing their structural features and modification strategies. It critically evaluates current fabrication methods, highlighting their advantages and limitations. The performance characteristics, action mechanisms, and application scenarios of polysaccharide-based smart textiles are examined, with emphasis on healthcare, motion tracking, smart clothing, and energy storage/management. The review concludes by addressing existing challenges and proposing future directions for integrating polysaccharide materials into smart textile systems, aiming to guide the development of efficient, green flexible wearable devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3648-2
Transient energy storage devices represent an emerging class of biodegradable power systems that provide temporary energy for implantable medical electronics before safely degrading in vivo. From early transient primary batteries to contemporary rechargeable batteries integrated with wireless charging systems, these devices have evolved to enable stable prolonged power supply. Through rational transient design and structural engineering, they achieve desirable electrochemical performance, tunable degradation rates, and mechanical compatibility with soft, irregular, and dynamic biological tissues. This work provides a critical review of state-of-the-art transient energy storage devices, including transient primary batteries, transient secondary batteries, and transient supercapacitors, with emphasis on their electrodes, electrolytes, encapsulation materials, fabrication processes, and applications. We critically analyze material selection strategies, transient design principles, and architecture design for various transient batteries and capacitors. Finally, we discuss existing challenges and outline future directions to guide the clinical translation of biodegradable power solutions for biomedical implants.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3575-4
Halide perovskite memristors, known for their ion mobility, have emerged as strong candidates for computational units in next-generation memory and neuromorphic computing systems. Nevertheless, most memristors are limited to operating in a single mode, either resistive switching or threshold switching. In this work, we overcome this limitation by developing dual-mode α-formamidinium lead triiodide (α-FAPbI3) perovskite memristors with switchable volatile/nonvolatile states, enabled by engineered SnO2 electron transport layers (ETLs). Through molecular interface optimization using 3-(N,N′-dimethylmyristylammonio) propanesulfonate (Z14) and 4,4′-(1,10-phenanthroline-3,8-diyl)bis(N,N′-bis(4-methoxyphen-yl)aniline) (PNL), we achieved exceptional device stability. Volatile devices exhibited >500 switching cycles, while nonvolatile devices surpassed 1000 cycles, both maintaining a high on/off ratio (~10^3). Beyond memory applications, these devices successfully emulated biological functionalities. The volatile mode replicated four key nociceptor characteristics (threshold, relaxation, sensitization, and no adaptation), while the nonvolatile mode demonstrated advanced synaptic plasticity, including paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). Capitalizing on this dual-mode synergy, we constructed a spiking neural network (SNN) for handwritten digit recognition, achieving a 93% accuracy rate—a significant milestone for perovskite-based neuromorphic systems. This study not only provides a material-level strategy for multifunctional memristor design but also bridges the gap between biological sensing and artificial intelligence, paving the way for adaptive neuromorphic hardware.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3637-6
Traditional optical fiber communication encryption methods lack sufficient dynamic adaptability and hardware flexibility, while reconfigurable logic gates can overcome this limitation, thereby significantly improving the flexibility of encryption systems. This study reports a reconfigurable optoelectronic logic gate (OELG) system based on hafnium-zirconium oxide (HZO) ferroelectric thin films. Through ultra-low temperature atomic layer deposition technique, the fabricated HZO thin films demonstrate an exceptional pyroelectric coefficient of 1835.91 μC m−2 K−1 and robust multi-level polarization stability, enabling efficient broadband photon-to-current conversion. By leveraging the pyroelectric effect and tunable polarization states, the OELG device achieves dynamic optical signal modulation and logic processing. The OELG device supports five fundamental logic operations (AND, OR, NAND, NOR, NOT) via electrical bias and polarization control, without requiring hardware modifications. The OELG device demonstrates stable performance over 10^9 cycles with no degradation, meeting practical application requirements. Furthermore, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-integrated image encryption-decryption framework was validated, achieving 95.01% recognition accuracy on decrypted data, while unauthorized decryption attempts resulted in significant feature loss. This study addresses security challenges in optical communication networks by proposing an innovative solution that integrates pyroelectric materials with reconfigurable logic gate technology, offering a new pathway to enhance physical-layer security.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3647-4
Chromium oxides (CrOx) and fluorinated graphite (CFx) are two typical cathode materials for lithium primary batteries. The former possesses the highest theoretical energy density but suffers from low practical capacity and inferior rate capability; the latter has the highest theoretical discharge capacity but fails to support fast discharge. Combining the merits of both cathodes via a composite design is desirable, yet the electrochemical performance of such composites remains unsatisfactory. In this work, we identified that by regulating the overlapped discharge potential of these two cathodes, fluorine atoms migrate from CFx to CrOx, leading to a homogeneous distribution of LiF and improved ionic and electronic conductivity, ultimately enhancing high-rate discharge performance. Benefiting from this synergetic effect, the CrOx/10%eCFx composite exhibits a considerably high energy density of 496.59 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 49.7 kW kg−1 (50 C), far superior to pure CrOx and CFx electrodes. We believe that the high-performance CrOx/eCFx composite cathode will justify its practical application in revitalizing advanced lithium primary batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3630-2
This study demonstrates a dual-interface engineering approach for performance enhancement in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. By applying ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDAI2) to simultaneously modify both top and bottom interfaces of wide-bandgap perovskite layers, we achieve synergistic defect suppression and charge transport optimization. Time-resolved photoluminescence characterization reveals extended carrier lifetimes and improved spatial homogeneity in dual-modified perovskite films. The optimized single-junction wide-bandgap (>1.66 eV) perovskite solar cells attain a champion efficiency of 22.75% with enhanced operational stability. Implemented in perovskite-silicon tandem configuration, the devices achieve over 31% power conversion efficiency, validating the effectiveness of organic ligand-mediated dual-interface engineering in regulating carrier dynamics and advancing perovskite-based tandem photovoltaics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3706-3
Aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries are severely limited by slow cathode reaction kinetics and large polarization. Herein, we design and prepare a Mott-Schottky catalyst by uniformly embedding ultrafine Ru nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped carbon (Ru@NC) nanoflakes to accelerate oxygen redox kinetics of Li-O2 batteries. The Mott-Schottky effect of Ru@NC drives spontaneous electron rearrangement in the NC matrix and induces a strong built-in electric field at heterointerfaces, which accelerates the activation and conversion of oxygen intermediates. The obtained Ru@NC possesses rich Mott-Schottky heterointerfaces and defective carbon structures, which provide extensive adsorption and nucleation sites. More importantly, Ru@NC manifests moderate affinity for the intermediate LiO2, inducing formation of unique nanosheet-like Li2O2 with low Li2O2/cathode interfacial impedance, which further enhances oxidation kinetics. These enable the Li-O2 battery with Ru@NC to deliver a remarkably reduced polarization of 0.89 V, superior rate performance, and prolonged lifespan of over 200 cycles. This work will provide valuable guidelines for engineering advanced electrocatalysts for high-performance Li-O2 batteries and beyond.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3616-8
Negative stiffness (NS) structures exploit multi-stable mechanisms to achieve energy absorption, yet their practical application is limited by material and manufacturing constraints that compromise load-bearing capacity, reusability, and energy absorption efficiency. This study addresses these limitations by employing continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers (CCFRTP) and three-dimensional (3D) printing to fabricate NS structures with cosine beam cells. A wet twisting method for continuous carbon fiber (CCF) was developed to enhance mechanical properties and elucidate failure behaviors and interfacial adhesion mechanisms. The resulting CCF/PLA/PVDF composites exhibited significant improvements in mechanical properties compared to untreated counterparts, with failure analysis revealing characteristic fiber breakage due to enhanced interfacial adhesion, as opposed to fiber pull-out and irregular fracture in untreated samples. A one-stroke path planning model was used to investigate bistability principles and energy absorption mechanisms. Displacement-controlled loading/unloading experiments assessed energy absorption in both energy-locked and repetitive modes. A dual-unit assembly structure was fabricated to validate the feasibility of a negative stiffness honeycomb structure. Composite layup simulations via Abaqus confirmed the deformation process and energy absorption mechanisms. The findings demonstrate that CCFRTP-based NS structures offer considerable potential for large deformation energy absorption applications in aerospace and naval fields.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3770-9
Intramolecular through-space charge-transfer (TSCT)-enabled thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters have shown exceptional potential for advancing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies, owing to their efficient utilization of triplet excitons and optimized photophysical properties. To date, the intrinsic correlation among molecular geometries, intramolecular non-covalent interactions, and photophysical properties in TSCT-TADF emitters remains unconfirmed, and this study theoretically clarifies this critical correlation. Specifically, through integrating molecular engineering, screening strategies, first-principles calculations, energy decomposition analysis, and statistical modeling, we systematically investigated 24 experimentally reported TADF molecules, and 54 newly designed structures in both solution and thin-film environments. We establish a clear geometric criterion for high-efficiency TSCT-TADF emitters: donor-acceptor (D-A) dihedral angles below 25° and interfragment distances within 4 Å—conditions validated by both theoretical predictions and experimental evidence. Based on this insight, we designed two novel molecular libraries with benzene- or carbazole-derivative bridges, using O-bridged triphenylamine (DPXZ) as the donor and quinolino[3,2,1-de]acridine-5,9-dione (QAO) as the acceptor. Our calculations confirm that sub-25° D-A dihedral angles correlate with exceptional delayed fluorescence efficiency, with predictions reaching up to 96% and an average of 70% for the new thin film systems. This study provides a rational design strategy for high-performance TSCT-TADF emitters, significantly advancing the molecular-level understanding of through-space interactions and accelerating the discovery of tailored, efficient OLED materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3598-1
Embedding a dielectric layer between as-synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and metal surfaces represents a powerful strategy to achieve electronic decoupling, thereby enabling the extraction of these ribbons' intrinsic electrical properties. Although several reports have documented dielectric intercalation between GNRs and metal substrates, studies on Ag(111) substrates are limited. Here, we demonstrate a semiconducting AgTe monolayer intercalation method to achieve electronic decoupling between as-synthesized GNRs and an Ag(111) substrate. Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, we directly observed the AgTe intercalation process at the GNR/Ag(111) interface. By combining scanning tunneling spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, we elucidate the critical role of AgTe monolayer intercalation in reducing the interaction between as-synthesized GNRs and the Ag(111) substrate and observe the near-intrinsic electrical properties of the GNRs. Our findings offer a practical and effective strategy for intercalating AgTe monolayers between carbon-based nanomaterials and Ag(111) substrates, facilitating the unambiguous characterization of the near-intrinsic electronic properties of these materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3727-0
Lead halide perovskites are promising scintillators for X-ray imaging due to high X-ray absorption efficiency, excellent luminescence, and facile synthesis. However, their ionic nature challenges simultaneous high photoluminescence efficiency and environmental robustness. This work introduces a multilevel encapsulation strategy: CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) are sequentially coated with Cs4PbBr6, SiO2, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Cs4PbBr6 passivates surface defects, while SiO2 and PDMS provide barriers against moisture, heat, and radiation. The resulting CsPbBr3@Cs4PbBr6/SiO2/PDMS flexible films exhibit a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 85%, outstanding mechanical flexibility, and durability under stretching, bending, and compressing. Films retain emission stability under elevated temperatures, prolonged X-ray irradiation, and extended water immersion. X-ray imaging demonstrates spatial resolution of 12 lp/mm, enabling distortion-free imaging of curved objects; superior water resistance allows long-term underwater imaging. This work highlights hierarchical encapsulation in balancing luminescence efficiency and stability, offering a pathway toward practical flexible perovskite scintillators.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3748-9
Direct regeneration is a sustainable solution for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), yet the irregular strains induced by the irreversible FePO4 phase after cycling hinder Li+ replenishment in spent LiFePO4 cathodes. This study proposes a lattice stress modulation strategy that reduces FePO4 to Fe2P2O7, reducing unit cell volume from 271.7 to 122.6 Å3, releasing residual stress and reconstructing continuous Li+ transport channels. The phase transformation reconstructs FeO6 octahedra, lowering the migration energy barrier for ions. This synergistically weakens steric effects, facilitating Li+ replenishment and eliminating Li-Fe anti-site defects. Regenerated LiFePO4 cathodes achieve 80.2% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 2C, outperforming commercial cathodes. The work establishes fundamental principles for the pre-treatment stage of direct regeneration and provides a paradigm-shifting solution for sustainable LIB recycling.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3785-5
The effective separation and utilization of photo-generated carriers are critical for advancing photocatalysis, particularly in coupled reactions of H2 production and value-added chemical synthesis. Here, a sandwich-structured MnO2@ZnIn2S4@Ti3C2 hollow sphere was designed, with MnO2 and Ti3C2 loaded on the inner and outer surfaces of ZnIn2S4, respectively. MnO2 acts as an oxidation cocatalyst collecting photo-generated holes, while Ti3C2 serves as a reduction cocatalyst for electrons, promoting spatial separation of carriers and enabling spatially separated redox reactions. The hollow structure enhances light harvesting. The optimal catalyst achieves photocatalytic H2 production rate of 6.29 mmol g−1 h−1 and benzaldehyde production rate of 5.26 mmol g−1 h−1 from benzyl alcohol oxidation, significantly outperforming ZnIn2S4, MnO2@ZnIn2S4, and ZnIn2S4@Ti3C2. In situ irradiated X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms effective carrier separation. In situ electron paramagnetic resonance and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy reveal reaction intermediates. This work provides a strategy for designing efficient photocatalysts for coupled H2 production and selective oxidation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3838-5
Air-permeable and ultrathin conductive electrodes are essential for next-generation soft electronics, including breathable wearables, on-skin devices, and bio-integrated electronics. However, conventional metallization strategies, such as sputtering and ink-printing, often suffer from severe vertical charge leakage due to the porous and ultrathin characteristics of nanofibrous networks, leading to device short-circuiting, operational failure, and limited vertical integration. Here, we present a solvent-selective dissolution-assisted transfer printing strategy to achieve surface-confined metallization of ultrathin, lightweight, and gas-permeable nanofibrous networks, enabling lateral conductivity while maintaining vertical insulation. This transfer printing process facilitates not only the rapid formation of conductive patterns on the surface of nanofibrous networks but also mechanical reinforcement through solvent evaporation-induced interlocked fiber-fiber welding. Meanwhile, the strategy preserves the high permeability of the nanofibrous networks and imparts a unique combination of surface conductivity (2 Ω cm) and vertical insulativity (10^11 Ω cm). The resulting anisotropic conductive networks enable low-voltage wearable heaters, high-sensitive pressure sensors, and ultralight temperature sensors. A pressure-temperature dual-modal sensing patch is further fabricated for intelligent grasping classification. The proposed surface-confined metallization strategy enables rapid fabrication of an anisotropic conductive network as a building block to construct air-permeable, ultrathin, and lightweight wearable electronics.
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/s40843-025-3674-2
Enhancing catalytic activity is a core objective in catalyst design, with active site accessibility being a critical determinant. Polyoxometalate-based metal-organic complexes (POMOCs), combining advantages of POMs and MOCs, offer potential for constructing catalysts with highly accessible active sites. In this study, a series of POMOCs were synthesized using different POM templates: [CoII1.5(L)1.5(PMo12O40)(H2O)4]·3H2O (Co-PMo12), [CoII1.5(L)1.5(PW12O40)(H2O)4]·3H2O (Co-PW12), [CoII2(L)2(SiW12O40)(H2O)4]·11H2O (Co-SiW12), and H[CoII2.5(L)3(P2W18O62)(H2O)8]·10H2O (Co-P2W18). These were characterized by FT-IR, PXRD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Catalytic activity differences for olefin epoxidation were attributed to distinct accessibility of Co(II) sites upon thermal activation. Notably, Co-P2W18 achieved 99% yield of 1,2-epoxycyclooctane within 3 hours at room temperature using O2 as oxidant, owing to highly accessible unsaturated Co(II) sites. This performance is superior to most reported catalysts. The reaction mechanism was investigated using density functional theory. The catalyst exhibited excellent stability over five cycles, with FT-IR, PXRD, and XPS confirming structural and oxidation state integrity. This work highlights the potential of POMOCs in designing catalysts with highly accessible active sites for enhanced catalytic activity.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3581-2
Radiotherapy (RT) is a standard cancer treatment that directly kills tumor cells and promotes systemic immune responses. However, RT can exacerbate tumor hypoxia, which suppresses dendritic cell (DC) antigen presentation and weakens systemic anti-tumor immunity. Here, we report oxygen-loaded in situ gels carrying bacterial outer membrane (MOGel) that slowly degrade to release oxygen and bacterial outer membrane (OM). Oxygen release alleviates tumor hypoxia, while OM continuously activates DCs, enhancing their antigen-presenting capability. In vitro, MOGel combined with RT induced the strongest tumor cell apoptosis. In an orthotopic colon cancer model, MOGel+RT achieved an 80% tumor suppression rate. Notably, MOGel+RT elicited an enhanced abscopal effect, with hypoxia relief and enhanced DC activation contributing to systemic immune responses. These findings suggest that OM-based oxygen gels offer a novel strategy to enhance systemic immune responses to RT.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3760-y
Layered chalcogenide compounds have attracted considerable attention for optoelectronic applications due to their rich structural diversity and unique physical properties, including high carrier mobility, ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, and outstanding optoelectronic and thermoelectric performance. Their tunable bandgaps and strong light absorption render them highly suitable for next-generation photodetectors. However, the environmental instability of many 2D chalcogenides poses a critical challenge for practical applications. In this work, we report a high-performance, polarization-sensitive photodetector based on an air-stable ternary chalcogenide FeIn2Se4. Angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy reveals that the four characteristic Raman modes exhibit a 60° periodic variation in intensity, highlighting the material's pronounced in-plane anisotropy. Benefiting from its strong absorption over a broad spectral range (510–1028 nm), the FeIn2Se4-based device demonstrates reliable photoresponse under multiple excitation wavelengths (405, 473, 515, and 638 nm), showcasing its wideband detection capabilities. Furthermore, XPS measurements after prolonged air exposure confirm the enhanced chemical stability of FeIn2Se4 compared to binary chalcogenides. These findings demonstrate that 2D ternary FeIn2Se4 is an excellent candidate for advanced anisotropic optoelectronic devices, offering broadband photodetection, robust polarization sensitivity, and excellent environmental resilience.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507111
This study investigated the effects of a ring-shaped pulsed electric field (PEF) (1.5 V, 4 h on-time per cycle) on nitrogen removal performance and microbial community structure of anammox granular sludge (AnGS). Two anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (R1 control, R2 with PEF) were operated under stepwise increasing nitrogen loading rates (NLR). At NLR below 1,155 mg·(L·d)−1, R2 exhibited total nitrogen removal efficiency (TRE) 7.5%–17.0% higher than R1, with biomass, specific anammox activity (SAA), and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) increased by 5%–7%, 21%–71%, and 54%–77%, respectively. However, at NLR above 1,320 mg·(L·d)−1, the toxic effect of nitrite dominated, and PEF enhancement diminished or even reversed to inhibition. Microbial community analysis revealed that at low-to-moderate NLR, PEF increased the relative abundance of Planctomycetes and key anammox bacteria (Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Jettenia), along with enhanced community richness (Chao1) and diversity (Shannon/Simpson indices). At high NLR, PEF decreased microbial richness compared to R1. Principal component analysis and redundancy analysis indicated that PEF was the key factor driving community differences at low-to-moderate NLR, whereas nitrite concentration became the dominant factor at high NLR. This study provides theoretical support for enhancing the resilience and engineering application of anammox processes.
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.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506041
Urban and rural multi-source organic waste faces bottlenecks including high compositional heterogeneity, single resource recovery pathways, and uneven product quality. In the Taihu Lake region, active tourism and catering, high greening, and dense water networks generate large volumes of diverse waste with high moisture content, exacerbating these issues. This study evaluated a coupled bio-drying and aerobic composting process at a demonstration center in Linhu Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, employing a three-stage control strategy: gradient dewatering, high-temperature stabilization, and maturation enhancement. Continuous operation showed that kitchen waste moisture content decreased from 77.70% to 58.69% after 1 day of bio-drying, to 23.22% after 7 days of silo reactor composting, and to 17.70% after at least 20 days of maturation. The aerobic composting phase maintained temperatures above 55°C for over 5 days, reaching a maximum of 68.1°C, meeting the harmless treatment requirements of CJJ 52—2014. After 20 days of maturation, the organic fertilizer product had an electrical conductivity below 4.00 mS·cm−1, organic matter content of 51.22%, total nutrient content of 5.61%, and heavy metal concentrations below the limits of NY/T 525—2021. The results provide technical support for efficient treatment and resource utilization of urban and rural organic waste.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507021
The accumulation of heavy metals in soil around municipal solid waste landfills poses potential risks to human health. This study selected a municipal solid waste landfill and monitored the concentrations of eight heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg, Cu, As, Cr) in surrounding soil. The geo-accumulation index method was used for pollution assessment, and a health risk assessment model recommended by the USEPA, combined with Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, was employed to evaluate the pollution status and health risks to nearby residents. Results showed that among the eight metals, Pb, Ni, and Cd exceeded risk screening values at 4.26%, 6.38%, and 4.26% of sampling points, respectively. Geo-accumulation indices indicated overall clean conditions (mean < 0), but slight pollution by Pb, Zn, Ni, Hg, and Cd at some points. Probabilistic risk assessment based on Monte Carlo simulation revealed that for both adults and children, the cumulative non-carcinogenic risk was negligible, while carcinogenic risk was acceptable. However, there was a very low probability (approximately 0.2%) of non-carcinogenic risk for children, and probabilities of unacceptable carcinogenic risk were 0.64% for adults and 3.21% for children. Nickel was the primary contributor to carcinogenic risk, and children faced higher health risks than adults. These findings provide a reference for pollution prevention and health risk management of soil around municipal solid waste landfills.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507038
To enhance the engineering practicality of pollutant pre-assessment, this study conducted environmental chamber tests for formaldehyde and TVOC emissions from 34 common decoration materials (25 solid and 9 liquid categories). Using the IndoorPACT software, variations in indoor pollutant concentrations under different material area loading rates and air change rates were simulated. Taking Harbin as a case study, concentration response ranges for various single materials under different area loading and ventilation conditions were simulated, leading to the construction of a simplified concentration prediction reference table. Results indicate that indoor pollutant concentrations from both solid and liquid materials peak on the second day after decoration, but decay rates differ significantly: liquid materials decrease by 70%–90% within about one week, and given their typically higher area loading rates in real projects, they exert a more significant impact on indoor air quality in the early post-decoration period. In contrast, solid materials decay more slowly and become the dominant long-term pollution source. The simplified estimation method based on these emission characteristics demonstrates good engineering applicability, providing effective reference for material selection, scheme comparison, and preliminary indoor air quality prediction and control in actual decoration projects.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506053
Red mud, a highly alkaline industrial solid waste from alumina production, poses severe environmental risks due to its high alkalinity, low organic matter content, and poor aggregation, which critically impede its soil reconstruction and ecological utilization. This study proposes a novel approach of low-temperature micro-oxidation to drive the synergistic soil reconstruction of red mud and coal. By constructing a low-temperature micro-oxidation atmosphere, the soil properties of the reaction products were investigated, the decomposition and reconstruction of alkaline minerals and alkali release were analyzed, and the oxidation of carbon-based minerals and organic matter transformation in coal were examined. The mechanism of the synergistic reaction between red mud and coal under low-temperature micro-oxidation was elucidated. Results showed that at 250 °C under micro-oxidation, the pH of the product decreased to 8.47, organic matter content increased to 12.98%, and the proportion of aggregates >0.250 mm increased. Alkaline minerals such as cancrinite and grossular in red mud underwent decomposition and reconstruction in the low-temperature hydrothermal environment, releasing substantial free alkali. The condensed aromatic rings of carbon-based minerals in coal were oxidized by free radicals, leading to ring-opening and bond cleavage, producing small-molecule organic acids and macromolecular humic acids. The continuous oxidation of carbon-based minerals in coal generated acids, which neutralized the alkali released from red mud, driving sustained dealkalization. The inorganic particles of red mud flocculated with macromolecular humic acids, forming micro-aggregates and significantly improving soil properties. This research provides technical support for the rapid ecological utilization of red mud at industrial scale.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507043
Municipal sludge with high moisture content and strong viscosity tends to form a dense crust during conventional rotary drum drying, reducing heat and mass transfer efficiency and prolonging drying time. This study proposes a thermal steel ball-enhanced rotary drum drying method that introduces high heat capacity, high thermal conductivity steel balls to achieve synergistic contact heat conduction and mechanical disturbance. An evaluation system incorporating dimensionless moisture ratio (MR), drying rate (DR), characteristic drying time (tdry), effective moisture diffusivity (Deff), and volumetric evaporation intensity (U) was established. Results show that compared with conventional drying, steel ball-enhanced drying increased maximum drying rate (DRmax) by 22.59%–41.19%, U by 38.06%–93.43%, and shortened tdry by 27.56%–48.30%, with more pronounced advantages under high load conditions. Deff was significantly higher throughout the process, with maximum increase up to 48.30%, indicating that ball rolling and collision effectively disrupt the crust and promote moisture migration. Mechanistic analysis reveals that the performance enhancement arises from the dual action of thermal-mechanical coupling and mechanical disturbance, which enhances local heat flux via contact conduction and dynamically renews the drying interface, shortening diffusion paths. This study elucidates the heat and mass transfer mechanisms of thermal steel ball-enhanced sludge drying, providing theoretical support and technical reference for efficient sludge volume reduction and dryer design optimization.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025101101
Acetamiprid, a representative neonicotinoid insecticide, persists in soil and water, posing ecological risks. This study evaluated its transgenerational toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to 1, 10, and 100 μg·L−1. Direct exposure (F0) caused neurobehavioral abnormalities, with head swing frequency significantly increased by 23.86% even at 1.0 μg·L−1, correlating with disrupted acetylcholinesterase and γ-aminobutyric acid. Reproduction, development, metabolism, and intestinal barrier were impaired, with reactive oxygen species elevated by 30.42%–48.28%, indicating oxidative stress as a mechanism. Effects transmitted to unexposed T1–T3 generations: at 1.0 μg·L−1, body width inhibition persisted to T2; fat accumulation and intestinal permeability effects intensified with concentration. Among oxidative stress biomarkers, superoxide dismutase showed highest sensitivity and transgenerational persistence. This study reveals multidimensional transgenerational toxicity, informing soil ecological risk assessment of neonicotinoids.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025122102
Uranium is a key resource for nuclear energy, but its mining and processing generate large amounts of uranium-containing wastewater, posing persistent threats to the environment and human health. In this study, a cyano-functionalized C3N4/ZnIn2S4 (CCN/ZIS) heterojunction system was constructed for efficient removal of U(VI) from uranium mining wastewater. The introduction of cyano groups significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity of CCN/ZIS, reaching a maximum of 123.65 mg·g−1. Characterization techniques (UV-vis DRS, EIS, i-t, PL, TRPL) confirmed that cyano groups effectively suppress charge carrier recombination, improving photogenerated carrier separation. Under visible light, the modified material achieved over 95% removal of U(VI) within 10 minutes, demonstrating a 20-fold efficiency increase compared to pristine materials. Even in simulated uranium mining wastewater containing high concentrations of CO3^2− and F−, CCN/ZIS maintained excellent performance, overcoming the technical challenge of U(VI) removal efficiency being constrained by water quality conditions. Quenching experiments identified e− and ·O2− as the primary reactive species responsible for U(VI) reduction. This study reveals the synergistic mechanism of selective U(VI) enrichment and photoreduction, providing theoretical innovation and technological breakthroughs for uranium pollution control.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024122001
Biomass is the only renewable carbon resource with huge reserves and wide sources, and it is green and environmentally friendly. Under the background of 'dual carbon', the clean and efficient utilization of biomass has received increasing attention. Preparation of biochar from biomass is one of the main methods to use biomass efficiently. Biochar surfaces possess porous and aromatic structures, which exhibit good fixation effects on heavy metals in wastewater. However, biochar has shortcomings such as difficulty in recovery and non-reusability. The introduction of iron into biochar can not only enrich surface functional groups, develop pore structure, and increase specific surface area, but also endow magnetic properties, facilitating solid-liquid separation after adsorption. This paper reviews the preparation methods of iron-based magnetic biochar (MBC-Fe), summarizes the effects of different iron sources on its characteristics, and illustrates the adsorption performance and mechanisms of MBC-Fe for typical heavy metals in water. Finally, applications of MBC-Fe in the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater are concluded, and future utilization potential in other fields is proposed. The review highlights that MBC-Fe exhibits high adsorption capacities, e.g., for Pb(II) and Cd(II), with rapid kinetics and easy separation, making it a promising adsorbent for wastewater treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024113001
Anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (APB) are a phylogenetically diverse group of prokaryotes that perform photosynthesis without oxygen evolution. They possess versatile metabolic capabilities, including anaerobic photophosphorylation, carbon fixation, multi-substrate metabolism, and metal oxidation-reduction, enabling them to thrive in diverse environments such as lakes, rivers, soils, salt lakes, and hot springs. APB play a pivotal role in biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and metals. This review systematically summarizes the metabolic diversity of APB, emphasizing their ability to utilize organic and inorganic compounds as electron donors and carbon sources. We highlight recent advances in understanding extracellular electron transfer (EET) mediated by exogenous electron shuttles and conductive materials, which expand the electron sources available for energy generation and reducing power. In environmental engineering, APB show promise in carbon sequestration, pollutant degradation (including azo dyes and heavy metals), biohydrogen production, and microbial fuel cells. For instance, Rhodopseudomonas palustris can fix CO2 under dark anoxic conditions via syntrophic interspecies electron transfer, achieving enhanced carbon fixation. Additionally, APB-based biohybrid systems incorporating CdS nanoparticles demonstrate light-driven degradation of azo dyes without external electron donors. Challenges remain in scaling up these technologies, optimizing reactor conditions, and understanding metabolic regulation. Future research should focus on genetic engineering to enhance APB performance and integrating APB into circular bioeconomy frameworks.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024112101
The biological reduction of Cr(VI) to less hazardous Cr(III) is a promising strategy for remediating Cr(VI)-contaminated sites. Both biochar and riboflavin can act as electron shuttles to accelerate this bioreduction process, yet their combined effects remain poorly understood. Using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 as a model reducing bacterium, we investigated the joint influence of biochar (average particle size 28.85 μm) and riboflavin at high (1 mmol·L−1) and low concentrations on Cr(VI) bioreduction. Individually, biochar and high-concentration riboflavin enhanced indirect electron transfer, accelerating Cr(VI) removal. However, when combined, the fast-phase reaction rate (rf0) did not significantly improve compared to single amendments. The combined action factor revealed an antagonistic inhibition between biochar and riboflavin. Mechanistically, high-concentration riboflavin saturated biochar's adsorption sites (equilibrium concentration 0.96±0.04 mmol·L−1), hindering biochar's role as an electron conduit. With a bacterial density of 3.4×10^7 cells·mL−1, the inter-bacterial distance (30.87 μm) exceeded biochar's particle size, and the per-cell riboflavin concentration (2.9×10−2 pmol·cell−1) was sufficient for riboflavin to dominate as the primary electron shuttle, while biochar's surface became coated, reducing its efficacy. These findings reveal the complex interplay between biochar and soluble organic matter in Cr(VI) bioreduction, underscoring the need to consider such antagonistic effects when designing bioremediation strategies for multi-component contaminated environments.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024102403
The rapid combustion of soot at low temperatures is critical for diesel engine cold-start emission control. This study investigates the effects of water vapor (H2O) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) on electricity-pulse-sparked catalysis (EPSC) for soot combustion over a ceramic filter paper-based potassium-supported antimony-doped tin oxide (K/ATO/CP) monolithic catalyst. Under EPSC with 2000 J pulses, the presence of H2O and NOx adversely affected soot combustion performance, yet average reaction rates remained high at 12.0 μmol·gcat−1·s−1 and 9.53 μmol·gcat−1·s−1, respectively, exceeding conventional thermal catalysis (<8 μmol·gcat−1·s−1). In situ Raman and concentration profiles revealed that electricity pulses promote rapid H2O desorption, effectively alleviating H2O poisoning and restoring catalyst activity. In contrast, NOx adsorption forms stable nitrates (e.g., KNO3) that desorb slower than the soot combustion process, leading to incomplete recovery of activity. These findings highlight the importance of adsorbate desorption kinetics in EPSC and suggest that using weakly basic alkaline-earth metals (e.g., Mg, Ca, Sr) with lower nitrate decomposition temperatures could mitigate NOx poisoning. The results provide guidance for advancing EPSC technology in hybrid vehicle exhaust aftertreatment systems.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604013
Reclaimed water serves as an alternative water source for replenishing natural water bodies, yet residual pollutants pose ecological risks. A pilot-scale hybrid vertical flow constructed wetland filled with manganese ore sand, quartz sand, and cobblestones was operated for approximately 140 days to assess nutrient and organic matter removal, ecotoxicity, and the suitability of manganese sand as a functional medium. Influent concentrations were up to 0.4 mg/L ammonia, 0.2 mg/L phosphate, 8 mg/L nitrate, and 30 mg/L COD. After 2–3 months of operation, ammonia and phosphate removal efficiencies exceeded 90% and 80%, respectively. Average reductions for nitrate and COD were 0.67 mg/L and 4.2 mg/L. Manganese sand enhanced organic decomposition, reducing maximum 3D fluorescence intensity by 26%, humic substances by 48%, UV254 by 38%, and achieving 70.8% removal of four target antibiotics. Purified water exhibited no significant genotoxicity, with micronucleus rates approaching tap water levels, and non-concentrated samples showed no acute biotoxicity. However, concentrated samples displayed acute toxicity, suggesting different causative pollutants for genotoxicity and acute toxicity. The study supports manganese sand as an effective medium for improving reclaimed water quality and controlling ecological risks.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604026
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants ubiquitously present in soils, posing severe risks to ecosystems and human health. This study synthesized MIL-88A(Fe) via a hydrothermal solvent method and applied it to the photocatalytic degradation of phenanthrene-pyrene (PHE-PYR) composite contaminants in soil, investigating the adsorption-photocatalytic synergy. Results demonstrated that adsorption of PHE-PYR onto MIL-88A(Fe) was dominated by physical and monolayer surface adsorption, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 97.25 mg/kg. This strong adsorption increased pollutant concentration near active sites, accelerating photocatalytic degradation. Under optimal conditions—3% catalyst dosage, 40% soil water content, 60 min visible light irradiation, initial pollutant concentration of 200 mg/kg, and acidic soil—the total degradation efficiency reached 79.20%. Photoelectrochemical characterization revealed significant visible-light response (200–600 nm), a narrow bandgap of 3.04 eV, and favorable band structure facilitating efficient electron-hole separation. Quenching experiments identified superoxide radicals (·O2−) and holes (h+) as primary reactive species. GC-MS analysis of intermediates indicated that PYR undergoes hydroxylation, oxidation, and ring-opening to form PHE, which is further hydroxylated and oxidized, ultimately mineralizing to CO2 and H2O. This work provides an efficient strategy for remediating PAH-contaminated soils.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4094-8
Deep-blue multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters with high efficiency, high color purity, and high brightness are critically important for next-generation OLED displays, yet remain challenging due to severe aggregation and host-guest interactions in the solid state. Herein, we report a core-encapsulating molecular design strategy in which bulky and non-conjugated peripheral groups are introduced to sterically encapsulate a blue-emitting MR core, thereby suppressing intermolecular π-π interactions without perturbing its intrinsic electronic structure. Two new emitters, DNa-BN and QNa-BN, featuring half-encapsulated and fully encapsulated MR-core architectures, respectively, were developed. Owing to its fully encapsulated structure, QNa-BN exhibits pronounced aggregation resistance at high doping concentrations, maintaining photoluminescence quantum yields exceeding 96%, radiative decay rate constants on the order of 10^8 s−1, and fast reverse intersystem crossing rates (~10^5 s−1). Consequently, sensitizer-free OLEDs based on QNa-BN deliver narrowband deep-blue emission at 458 nm with a full width at half maximum of 22 nm, CIE coordinates of (0.142, 0.085), a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE_max) of 34.4%, and a maximum luminance exceeding 20,000 cd m−2. Furthermore, by adopting a hyperfluorescence architecture, the EQE_max is further boosted to 38.7% with significantly suppressed efficiency roll-off. This work demonstrates that steric encapsulation of the MR core provides an effective and general approach to achieving aggregation-resistant, high-efficiency, and high-brightness deep-blue MR-TADF emitters for OLED applications.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3778-8
The global surge in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste demands urgent technological solutions that address both environmental persistence and resource recovery. Here, we present a triple-functionalization strategy that converts chlorinated plastic waste into high-performance sodium-ion battery anodes through molecular-level control of carbon architectures. Sequential dichlorination, sulfonation, and N-doping collaboratively reconfigure precursor reactivity, steering pyrolysis toward hierarchically porous hard carbon with tailored defect chemistry. Sulfonic groups stabilize 3D carbon skeletons during carbonization, enabling closed-pore formation with an average diameter of ~2.55 nm while N-doping expands interlayer spacing (0.382 nm) and creates adsorption-active pyrrolic-N sites. This defect-engineered synergy delivers unprecedented sodium storage metrics: 355 mAh g−1 reversible capacity at 0.1 A g−1 (95.4% of graphite’s Li-ion capacity), a capacity retention of 216 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1 (70.1% capacity retention), and 188 mAh g−1 even at a high current density of 5.0 A g−1. Operando analyses reveal a potential-dependent storage hierarchy: surface-dominated adsorption transitions to intercalation/filling-dominated behavior with defect-buffered structural integrity. The process simultaneously achieves 25% carbon yield from PVC and avoids toxic dioxin emissions, establishing a scalable prototype for sustainable energy storage systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3779-1
Comprehensive mechanical properties, including hardness (H), elastic modulus (E), fracture toughness (KC), and wear resistance, are essential for oxide ceramics used in demanding environments. This work employs nanoindentation to evaluate these properties for RE3TaO7 (RE=La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Lu) and identifies the optimal calculation method for KC in brittle oxide ceramics. The ratio of indentation crack length to half-diagonal (l/α) is a key parameter: Eq. (3) is suitable when l/α < 1, while Eq. (4) applies when l/α > 1. The indentation energy method is invalid for brittle ceramics due to crack formation at high loads. RE3TaO7 oxides exhibit H of 5.8–14.9 GPa, E of 127.5–247.8 GPa, and KC of 1.0–2.0 MPa·m1/2, surpassing RE2Zr2O7 (KC 1.0–1.5 MPa·m1/2). Wear resistance, indicated by MDP, ranges from 0.55 to 0.67, outperforming RE2Zr2O7. The superior fracture toughness is attributed to weberite structure with crack deflection and tortuous propagation, contrasted with pyrochlore's straight cracks. These findings provide accurate nanoindentation-based methods for assessing mechanical properties of brittle oxide ceramics, facilitating material discovery and optimization for thermal barrier coatings and other high-temperature applications.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61113-4
Porous pyrolytic carbon (PPyC) serves as the buffer layer in TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel particles, providing storage for fission gases, preventing damage to outer layers, and absorbing stresses caused by fuel-kernel swelling. However, the changes of PPyC micro- and meso-structure at high temperatures remain insufficiently understood. In this study, PPyC fabricated by chemical vapor deposition was heat-treated from 1200 to 1600 °C and characterized across atomic-to-mesoscopic scales. Results show that the structure changes with temperature with a transition at approximately 1400 °C. Below 1400 °C, a decrease in Raman ID/IG ratio, narrowing of the graphite diffraction peak, and increased sp2 hybridization indicate progressive ordering associated with defect redistribution. Concurrent decreases in true density and mesopore volume, together with increased closed porosity, are consistent with partial conversion of open pores into closed pores. Above 1400 °C, increased ID/IG ratio, broadening of the diffraction peak near the rhombohedral graphite (101) reflection, and transition regions between crystalline and amorphous material observed by TEM indicate increasing structural disorder. Meanwhile, initially distinct PPyC particle boundaries blur and merge into broad, plate-like domains. Subsequent decrease in closed porosity and increase in mesopore surface area are consistent with partial connection of closed pores to the open-pore network. This work shows that intrinsic coupling between atomic-scale structural change and mesoscale pore connectivity provides a basis for assessing high-temperature structural stability of PPyC in TRISO fuel particles.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61101-8
Phenolic compounds are typical refractory organic pollutants in coal chemical coking wastewater, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Conventional treatment methods are inefficient, necessitating advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Here, we report a low-cost Fe/N–C catalyst synthesized from coal-tar pitch, a common by-product of the coal chemical industry, via a self-assembly and pyrolysis strategy using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a template and nitrogen source, with dicyandiamide as an auxiliary nitrogen source and FeCl3·6H2O as the iron precursor. The resulting nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets possess abundant defects (sp3-C/sp2-C = 0.66) and atomically dispersed iron species. The Fe/N–C catalyst exhibits outstanding catalytic activity for peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation, achieving over 98% phenol degradation within 30 minutes and a 60% total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate. Mechanistic studies, including radical quenching and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments, reveal that both radical and non-radical pathways contribute to phenol degradation, with singlet oxygen (1O2) as the primary reactive oxygen species. Electrochemical analyses demonstrate that atomically dispersed Fe sites significantly enhance interfacial electron transfer. Post-reaction characterization indicates the consumption of pyrrolic-N, C=O, and carbon defects as active sites, while graphitic-N and Fe–N structures remain stable, confirming the catalyst's stability. This work provides an economical route to convert coal-tar pitch into high-performance catalytic materials for efficient water treatment, embodying the circular economy concept of waste-to-resource utilization.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510089
Microplastics (MPs) are frequently detected in various water bodies, posing increasing environmental risks. This study synthesized magnetic Fe3O4@MIL-100(Fe) microspheres via an in-situ one-step hydrothermal method and investigated their adsorption removal mechanisms for polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics. The composite exhibited a core-shell structure with a high specific surface area of 848.6 m2·g−1. Adsorption kinetics showed that PLA followed a pseudo-second-order model, while PS fitted both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. Equilibrium data for both MPs were well described by the Freundlich isotherm. Removal efficiencies for PLA and PS increased from 58.18% and 49.66% to 98.90% and 98.58%, respectively, as pH decreased, and from 64.24% and 21.58% to 97.05% and 94.63% with increasing ionic strength. The removal mechanism involved synergistic physical-chemical interactions: hydrogen bonding dominated for PLA, with some complexation, while π–π interactions and hydrogen bonding were primary for PS. The material demonstrated excellent reusability over multiple cycles. These findings highlight the potential of Fe3O4@MIL-100(Fe) for efficient removal of MPs from water, offering a novel approach for controlling emerging contaminants.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506084
Groundwater is a vital drinking and irrigation source in the loess regions of northwestern China. In Guyuan, a densely populated area in southern Ningxia, systematic assessments of groundwater pollution risks are lacking. This study collected 60 groundwater samples and employed the Nemerow index, heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and health risk assessment models to evaluate pollution levels and health risks of eight elements including Cr, As, and Hg. Results show that the groundwater is generally Class IV quality, with a mean TDS of 1350.9 mg·L−1. Average concentrations of As, Cr, and Mn are 4.39, 29.87, and 45.77 μg·L−1, respectively. The Nemerow index indicates moderate pollution. The mean HPI is 10.56, but a local sample (PS1-51-下) reaches 36.15, indicating severe pollution. Health risk assessment reveals that carcinogenic risks from Cr and As for adults and children are 8.037×10−6 a−1 and 3.863×10−6 a−1, respectively, below US EPA limits but above recommended levels by Swedish and Dutch agencies, with children at higher risk. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and principal component analysis suggest that groundwater is primarily recharged by atmospheric precipitation. Cr, Zn, and Mn mainly originate from regional copper ore belts, coal mining, and agricultural activities. This study fills a gap in multidimensional groundwater assessment in populated loess areas, identifies pollution characteristics distinct from typical loess regions, and provides a scientific basis for regional water resource risk management and sustainable development.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507094
To address land waste and poor bearing capacity from sludge landfill, this study developed a composite solidifying agent using loess, fly ash, desulfurized gypsum, and cement. Orthogonal experiments combined strength testing, SEM/XRD microanalysis, permeability and heavy metal leaching tests, and cost accounting. Results show that cement significantly enhances early and mid-term strength, while loess dominates later strength development. Optimal fly ash and desulfurized gypsum content is 12% each. The optimal mix ratio (loess:fly ash:desulfurized gypsum:cement:sludge) is 0.1:0.12:0.12:0.08:1. The solidified matrix forms dense structures via C-S-H gel and ettringite (Aft), effectively controlling heavy metal leaching at low cost. This work enables solid waste resource utilization and provides robust support for sludge solidification engineering.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60619-0
Under the context of global energy transition and carbon neutrality, controlling nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from biomass combustion is of great significance, and the development of high-efficiency low-temperature catalysts has become a current research focus. In this study, Nb was used to dope and modify the Mn7-Cu3/BCN catalyst to construct the Mn7-Cu3-Nbx/BCN system. The doping amount was optimized through selective catalytic reduction (SCR) activity tests. The reaction mechanism was explored by combining in situ DRIFTS and density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Experimental findings revealed that the catalyst doped with 0.05% Nb achieved the optimal performance, sustaining a NO conversion efficiency of ≥94% within the temperature window of 150−275 °C while demonstrating improved resistance to alkali metal K poisoning. Mechanistic analyses showed that at low temperatures, the catalyst facilitated the SCR reaction via both the Eley-Rideal (E-R) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) pathways, with the synergistic interaction between multiple active sites driving the efficient conversion of NH3 and NO. DFT calculations further confirmed that both pathways had the characteristics of low reaction energy barriers and significant exothermicity, ensuring the high activity and feasibility of the low-temperature reaction. The findings provided foundational theoretical support for the design of Nb-doped Mn-Cu-supported catalysts and the exploration of the underlying working mechanisms.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0029
Pingshuo coal ash, characterized by high silicon-aluminum content (Si+Al >85%) and low Si/Al ratio (<1.5), exhibits ash fusion temperatures (AFTs) exceeding 1550 °C, rendering it unsuitable for entrained-flow gasifiers. This study investigates the effect of calcium-sodium composite flux on ash fusibility and mineral transformation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FactSage thermodynamic simulations were employed to analyze mineral evolution, while molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed the underlying melting mechanism. Results show that adding 20% composite flux (CaO/Na2O) lowers AFTs more effectively than equivalent additions of CaO or Na2O alone, indicating a synergistic effect. At a CaO/Na2O ratio of 3:7, the flow temperatures (FT) of two Pingshuo coal ashes decreased to 1377 °C and 1279 °C, respectively. The composite flux promotes reactions between quartz and Na2O/CaO, forming low-melting-point minerals such as nepheline, albite, and gehlenite, while inhibiting mullite formation. Additionally, Na+ disrupts the silicate network, inducing Ca2+ to preferentially coordinate with [AlO4]5- tetrahedra, further breaking Si-O-Si bonds. MD simulations show that atomic diffusion, quantified by mean square displacement (MSD), is significantly enhanced below 1600 K with composite flux addition compared to single fluxes. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for optimizing flux formulations to enable efficient gasification of high-AFT coals.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025102501
Non-antibiotic emerging contaminants (ECs) pose a growing threat to aquatic organisms, particularly fish, yet their impact on gut microbiota remains inadequately characterized. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on the effects and mechanisms of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nanomaterials, and microplastics on fish gut microbiota. Exposure to these ECs directly alters microbial composition and diversity, while indirectly disrupting host metabolism and immune function, leading to significant health impairments. Notably, EC exposure induces dysregulation of key factors such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), compromising intestinal barrier integrity. Concurrently, gut microbiota can metabolically transform certain ECs into derivatives, establishing a complex pollutant-microbiota-host interaction network. The gut microbiota mediates EC-induced neurotoxicity, immune dysfunction, and metabolic disorders through signaling pathways such as TLR/NF-κB and metabolic homeostasis regulation. Current research predominantly addresses short-term exposure effects, leaving long-term low-dose impacts and transgenerational mechanisms poorly understood. Future investigations should employ multi-generational exposure and microbiota transplantation to elucidate gut microbiota-mediated toxicity mechanisms under non-antibiotic EC stress. This review underscores the urgent need for comprehensive risk assessment and regulatory frameworks targeting non-antibiotic ECs in aquatic environments.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60622-0
Photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from sustainable biomass-derived carbon catalysts offers a renewable route to valuable chemicals, yet the regulatory role of surface functional groups on reaction kinetics remains underexplored. Here, hydrothermal carbon spheres (CS) rich in oxygen-containing functional groups demonstrated a remarkably high H2O2 production rate of 653 μmol/(g·h) in both pure water and actual seawater, without any sacrificial agent. The catalyst also exhibited outstanding activity in visible-light-driven photocatalytic oxidation of benzylamine to imines, achieving 92% conversion and >99% selectivity. Comprehensive analysis revealed that CS was rich in surface oxygen-containing functional groups, a feature strongly associated with its high photocatalytic efficiency. The observed positive Zeta potential of CS in seawater likely diminished electrostatic repulsion against positively charged intermediates, facilitating their accumulation at the liquid-solid interface. This work proposes a strategic framework for developing metal-free photocatalysts from biomass, offering a sustainable pathway for photocatalytic applications.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010803
Global aquaculture is expanding rapidly, with China leading in production and being the only country where aquaculture output exceeds wild catch. This growth raises concerns about environmental contamination, particularly mercury (Hg), and the safety of aquaculture products. This study investigated Hg accumulation and trophic transfer in a typical ecological mariculture area in Tangshan, Hebei Province, by measuring species-specific Hg concentrations in sediments and various aquatic organisms. Sediment total mercury (THg) levels were extremely low, averaging 4.0 ± 1.3 ng·g−1 dry weight (n=56), attributed to sandy/silty sediments with low adsorption capacity and minimal external/internal Hg inputs. In aquaculture fish, muscle THg and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were 59.7 ± 30.0 and 53.8 ± 29.2 ng·g−1 wet weight (n=7), respectively, comparable to wild fish from the same area. This is due to efficient trophic transfer and biomagnification of Hg, especially MeHg, along the food chain, influenced by food chain structure, primary consumer accumulation, and metabolic rates. At three seafood consumption levels (41.6–255.6 g·d−1), estimated daily intakes (EDI) of MeHg for Chinese adults ranged from 0.01 to 0.40 μg·kg−1·d−1, with target hazard quotients (THQ) from 0.13 to 3.98. Except for Penaeus monodon and Metapenaeus ensis, all other aquaculture products at high consumption levels exceeded the USEPA safety threshold for MeHg EDI and had THQ > 1, indicating potential health risks.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010902
The extensive agricultural application of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) has established them, alongside nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, as core pollutants in agricultural non-point source contamination, necessitating urgent clarification of their composite ecological effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study systematically investigated the concentration gradient effects and ecological risk mechanisms of malathion, a heavily utilized OPP, on the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Results demonstrated a pronounced concentration-dependent biphasic effect: high concentrations (100 mg·L−1) suppressed algal growth, reducing cell density to 8% of the control group, whereas low concentrations (0.01 mg·L−1) markedly stimulated algal proliferation (47% cell density increase) through photosynthetic system activation (51% chlorophyll-a elevation), metabolic enhancement (98% ATP content increase), and mild oxidative stress induction. Regarding microcystin regulation, low-concentration exposure upregulated microcystin synthesis genes (mcyA, mcyB), elevating intracellular microcystin production to 1.6-fold of controls. Conversely, high concentrations triggered microcystin release via severe membrane integrity disruption (>80% membrane damage). Risk assessment demonstrated that environmentally relevant malathion levels (0.01 mg·L−1) pose dual threats: exacerbating ecological risks by promoting algal blooms and amplifying health hazards through intensified microcystin synthesis and release. These findings provide critical theoretical insights for evaluating OPP ecotoxicity and formulating cyanobacterial bloom control strategies in agricultural non-point source pollution management.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010607
This study investigated the occurrence, sources, and ecological risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil, litter, and bark samples collected from the forest-grassland transition zone of Inner Mongolia. A total of 12 PAHs were detected in soil, with concentrations ranging from 34.9 to 465.3 ng·g⁻¹ (mean 168.8 ng·g⁻¹), predominantly 3–5 ring compounds. Litter contained 14 PAHs at concentrations between 106.4 and 2262.5 ng·g⁻¹ (mean 465.1 ng·g⁻¹), dominated by 3- and 4-ring PAHs. Both living and dead bark exhibited 14 PAHs, with concentration ranges of 119.2–240.0 ng·g⁻¹ and 123.3–241.6 ng·g⁻¹, respectively, mainly composed of 4-ring PAHs. Spearman correlation analysis revealed no significant correlations among PAH concentrations across the three media (P > 0.05). Source apportionment using diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis indicated that soil PAHs primarily originated from biomass, coal, and gasoline combustion; litter PAHs from petroleum volatilization and coal/natural gas combustion; and bark PAHs from petroleum volatilization and fossil fuel combustion, with high-molecular-weight PAHs dominating. Ecological risk assessment using the risk quotient (RQ) method showed that soil PAHs posed low overall ecological risk, though certain individual PAHs exhibited higher risk. The toxic equivalent (TEQ) method indicated that dead bark was the primary accumulation medium with high carcinogenic contribution, posing elevated ecological risk. Although litter and living bark had lower PAH concentrations, their long-term accumulation effects warrant attention. These findings provide crucial scientific evidence for understanding the environmental behavior and potential risks of PAHs in cold, high-latitude regions of northern China.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025020603
The high cellulase-producing strains were screened and the enzyme production conditions were optimized, providing strain resources for the effective utilization of agricultural solid waste. A promising cellulolytic strain S3 was isolated from the soil of Hengshui Lake Wetland Park. The isolation process employed Congo red plate staining method for primary screening, followed by secondary screening through cellulase activity determination and straw degradation experiments. Through morphological observation and molecular biology identification, the strain S3 was identified to be Bacillus cereus. The ratio of transparent circle to colony diameter of strain S3 was 4.01±0.17. The filter paper enzyme activity of strain S3 was 42.09 U·mL−1, and the degradation rate of corn stover reached 19.29% after 10 days of fermentation. It was found that the optimum carbon source of strain S3 was the mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and wheat bran with the addition amount of 4%, and the optimum nitrogen source was soybean powder with the addition amount of 2%. Single factor experiment and response surface methodology were used to optimize the enzyme production conditions of the strain S3. The optimal conditions were fermentation time of 76 h, fermentation temperature of 36℃, initial pH of 6, and inoculation volume of 4%. Under these conditions, the filter paper enzyme activity reached 60.13 U·mL−1, which was 1.43 times higher than that before optimization. The strain S3 showed the high cellulase-producing capability, demonstrating its potential as an efficient microbial candidate for the degradation and utilization of agricultural solid waste.
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 Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605015
The national greenhouse gas voluntary emission reduction trading market was relaunched in 2023, with China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) as the trading unit, serving as a crucial supplement to the national carbon market. The initial phase includes the offshore wind power sector. This study evaluates the CO2 and air pollutant emission reduction effectiveness and economic feasibility of China's offshore wind power industry under the CCER mechanism. Using CCER methodology, baseline scenario analysis, and empirical data from 2020 and projections for 2025, we quantify reductions in CO2 and principal air pollutants (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides) across coastal provinces. Emission inventories are constructed using authoritative grid emission factors. Economic viability is assessed by integrating levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), additional revenues from CCER transactions, and external environmental benefits. Results provide four policy insights: (1) The sector shows a positive trend in emission reduction and economic-environmental contribution, but faces financial deficit risk by 2025 without CCER subsidies; (2) Economically developed coastal provinces exhibit greater development potential; (3) Profitability analysis for 2020 and 2025 indicates sustainable economic returns with appropriate policy support; (4) Among air pollutants, nitrogen oxides reduction is largest, while sulfur dioxide reduction yields the most significant co-benefits. This study offers evidence-based recommendations for strategic planning and policy formulation in China's offshore wind industry.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605018
To address the inadequacy of existing temporal emission allocation coefficients for oil storage, transportation, and sales sources in regions with distinct seasonal temperature variations, this study focused on a large oil depot in Northwest China. A method for establishing temperature-dependent hourly allocation coefficients for VOCs emissions was proposed, revealing a positive correlation between ambient temperature and emission coefficients. The coefficient peaked at 0.068 when temperatures exceeded 14 °C and dropped to a minimum of 0.007 below 8.5 °C. Annual VOCs emissions totaled 256.13 t, with summer contributing 108.89 t (42.51% of annual total) and winter only 12.54 t (4.90%), making summer emissions approximately 8.68 times higher than winter. Using CALPUFF dispersion modeling, dynamic source strength scenarios produced a maximum hourly concentration of 2242.7 μg/m³, a 55.12% increase over the constant source strength scenario (1445.8 μg/m³). The area of exceedance increased by 0.03 km², and the atmospheric environmental protection distance extended by 450 m, from 0 m to 450 m. These results demonstrate that conventional constant emission assumptions underestimate peak concentrations and protection distances, posing health risks to nearby residents. The study provides a scientific basis for localized emission regulation and improved environmental protection distance calculations.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605021
The digestate from anaerobic digestion of food waste is separated into solid residue and liquid filtrate. The filtrate retains high nutrient and carbon content, making it a viable resource for recovery. This study prepared biochar from food waste digestate residue and employed it as an electrode active material in a flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) system, with activated carbon as a control, to assess nitrogen and phosphorus removal from kitchen waste biogas slurry. ZnCl₂ modification significantly enhanced the biochar's specific surface area, adsorption capacity, capacitance, and conductivity. The optimal mass fraction of modified biochar in the electrode liquid was 7.5%. In simulated digestate, the FCDI system achieved removal efficiencies of 47.7% for NH₄⁺-N and 55.2% for reactive phosphorus (RP) over 12 hours. Performance ranking of electrode materials was activated carbon > ZnCl₂-modified biochar > unmodified biochar. In continuous operation with actual anaerobic digestion filtrate, maximum removal efficiencies were 32.2% for NH₄⁺-N and 26.2% for RP. The reduced performance in real digestate is attributed to organic foulants such as peptides and amino acids, which block ion-exchange membrane channels, increase membrane resistance, and impede ion transfer and charge transport, thereby diminishing deionization efficiency.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225141
This study established a three-dimensional transient gas-liquid two-phase flow model based on a 150-tonne converter to investigate the influence of the number of clogged bottom-blowing elements on the stirring efficiency of the molten pool. The numerical simulation results were validated against actual converter operating conditions. The findings revealed that the primary reason for deteriorated flow characteristics under multiple clogged tuyeres was the overall reduction in stirring energy input from the bottom-blowing gas. Specifically, when the number of clogged tuyeres reached three, the numerically simulated mixing time increased from 150.6 s to 219.3 s, a significant increase of 45.62%. This numerical result was in good agreement with water model experiments, indicating that prompt furnace bottom maintenance and tuyere replacement should be considered under such circumstances. At the same bottom-blowing intensity, the effective stirring area of a single inner-ring tuyere was 0.919 m2, while that of a single outer-ring tuyere was 1.651 m2. The combined effective area achieved through the synergy of inner and outer ring tuyeres was 2.940 m2, which was 14.4% greater than the sum of their individual areas. Clogging disrupted this synergistic stirring effect. A single clogged tuyere had a negligible impact on the distribution of dead zones. However, when tuyeres in both the inner and outer rings were clogged, dead zones became more numerous and concentrated. With 3 and 4 clogged tuyeres, the dead zone volume reached 3.703 and 5.946 m3, accounting for 17.31% and 27.79% of the total molten pool volume, respectively. An industrial plant trial conducted based on the numerical simulation scheme showed that key performance indicators deteriorated as the number of clogged tuyeres increased. With three clogged tuyeres, the average end-point oxygen content reached 0.0669wt%, which was 22.1% higher than that under non-clogged conditions. Concurrently, the total iron content in the slag reached 19.44%, a 24.5% increase compared to the non-clogged baseline.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225264
The high cost of high-purity hydrogen necessitates the utilization of low-cost industrial by-product hydrogen as an alternative gas source to reduce hydrogen storage costs. Industrial by-product hydrogen typically contains impurities such as H2S and CO, yet the poisoning mechanisms of these gases on superlattice hydrogen storage alloys during hydrogen absorption/desorption remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigates the poisoning effects and regeneration behavior of La0.65Mg1.32Ca1.03Ni9Y0.17 superlattice hydrogen storage alloy in atmospheres containing 10^-3 H2S and CO. The experimental protocol comprised 10 poisoning cycles followed by 1 regeneration, repeated to total 20 poisoning cycles and 2 pure hydrogen regenerations. Results show that in pure hydrogen, the alloy's hydrogen storage capacity gradually decreases after 22 cycles but is effectively restored after dehydrogenation at 473 K. In the presence of impurity gases, the hydrogen storage capacity retention rates after 10 poisoning cycles with H2S and CO are 3.56% and 2.71%, respectively; after 20 cycles, these decrease to 3.68% and 1.73%, respectively. After dehydrogenation at 473 K, retention rates recover to 40.35% and 98.27%, respectively. This indicates that poisoning severity follows the order CO > H2S, while regeneration difficulty follows H2S > CO. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that after poisoning, the main phase transforms from AB3 to AB3H, but reverts to AB3 after high-temperature dehydrogenation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that after H2S poisoning, CaS and CaSO4 form on the alloy surface, indicating irreversible chemical adsorption. In contrast, after CO poisoning, no new substances are detected, indicating reversible adsorption. This study clarifies the differentiated poisoning mechanisms of impurity gases and provides theoretical support for the application of rare-earth superlattice hydrogen storage alloys in complex atmospheres.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3899-9
Metal halide hybrids have emerged as a highly promising class of optoelectronic materials owing to their rich chemical and electronic diversity, high luminescence efficiency, and tunable photophysical properties. Incorporating chirality into these systems imparts pronounced circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activity, creating new opportunities for advanced smart optoelectronic and spintronic applications. Although numerous reviews have been dedicated to CPL-active perovskites, their non-perovskite ionic counterparts have yet to be systematically and comprehensively reviewed. Given the rapid advancements in this burgeoning field, such a work is both timely and crucial to chart its future course. This review summarizes recent progress in non-perovskite ionic metal halide hybrids exhibiting CPL emission, highlighting four aspects: (1) the intrinsic correlations among different characterization techniques; (2) the strategic advantages of these materials for CPL applications; (3) methodologies for enhancing their CPL performance; (4) the prerequisites and mechanisms underlying CPL generation in achiral metal halide hybrids. Finally, we discuss their emerging applications in light-emitting devices, information encryption, anti-counterfeiting technologies, and scintillators, and provide perspectives on the remaining challenges and future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3830-6
Controlled fabrication of artificial multiple-stranded helices is central to deciphering chirality complexity and hierarchical self-assembly processes. Inspired by biological helical nanostructures, we designed a twisted figure-of-eight chiral macrocycle (M1) from pyrene and benzene diimide subcomponents to direct hierarchical assembly of double- and quadruple-stranded superhelices. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that M1 undergoes charge-transfer and CH···π interactions-driven helical wrapping, forming right-handed (P) single strands that intertwine into quadruple π-helical superstructures. Crucially, the macrocycle's adaptive cavity and interstitial voids could bind electron-deficient naphthalene diimide (NDI) guests through charge transfer interactions, triggering transformation to left-handed (M) double helices. This structural shift induces helicity inversion and optical anisotropy changes, demonstrating a rare case of crystalline-state multiple-helix conversion with supramolecular chirality inversion. This work establishes a template-free methodology for synthesizing multiple-stranded π-helices and controlling their transformations through supramolecular engineering.
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/s40843-025-3784-9
Symmetry-breaking charge separation (SB-CS) is a fundamental process in natural photosynthesis and holds promise for organic semiconductor applications. However, the influence of SB-CS on excited-state chirality has remained unexplored. Here, we employ femtosecond time-resolved circularly polarized luminescence (TRCPL) and transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy to investigate the excited-state chirality dynamics of a chiral perylenediimide bichromophore (Cy-PDI 2). Our results reveal that the locally excited (LE) state decays to a symmetry-breaking charge-separated (SB-CS) state within 88 ps in tetrahydrofuran (THF), while this process is strongly quenched in toluene (TOL). Time-dependent emission dissymmetry factor g_lum(t) extracted from TRCPL kinetics demonstrates a one-order-of-magnitude enhancement of circularly polarized luminescence after SB-CS, directly reflecting the asymmetry of electron cloud distribution on an ultrafast timescale. This work provides the first direct observation of excited-state chirality evolution during SB-CS and proposes a mechanistic framework. Our findings offer deeper insight into the origin of excited-state chirality, which is crucial for understanding efficient energy transfer, enantiospecific recognition, and asymmetric catalysis in biological and chemical systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3850-3
Chiral nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention for antibacterial applications due to their unique chiroptical properties. Here, we report a novel spatiotemporally precise synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) strategy using circularly polarized light (CPL)-activated chiral molybdenum-doped carbon dots (L-Mo-CDs and D-Mo-CDs). These chiral carbon dots were synthesized using chiral tartaric acid as a precursor. Notably, D-Mo-CDs selectively respond to left-handed CPL (LCP), while L-Mo-CDs respond to right-handed CPL (RCP). Under CPL irradiation, D-Mo-CDs exhibit enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and a higher photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to L-Mo-CDs. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrate that D-Mo-CDs possess excellent bactericidal efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In vivo wound healing studies in a mouse model reveal remarkable therapeutic efficacy, attributed to reduced inflammation, accelerated angiogenesis, and enhanced collagen deposition. This work introduces a paradigm for utilizing chiral carbon dots in precision antibacterial therapy, addressing the limitations of conventional chiral nanomaterials such as poor biocompatibility and low photothermal conversion. The findings underscore the potential of metal-doped chiral carbon dots for advanced biomedical applications, offering a spatiotemporally controllable approach to combat bacterial infections without promoting resistance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3879-5
Stimuli-responsive circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials are pivotal for investigating excited-state chirality and advancing optoelectronic applications. However, achieving comprehensive modulation of chiroptical properties within a single system under a single external stimulus remains a significant challenge. Here, electric-field-responsive helical ferroelectric liquid crystals are developed by incorporating diverse chiral emitter dopants into the prototypical liquid crystal mesogen 2,3′,4′,5′-tetrafluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl 2,6-difluoro-4-(5-propyl-1,3-dioxan-2-yl)benzoate (DIO), known for its high dielectric anisotropy and multiple mesophases. By co-doping different types of chiral molecules with opposite handedness, a competitive chiral field is generated that responds differentially to the applied voltage, enabling continuous modulation of the helical pitch and reversible inversion of handedness. This work provides the integrated demonstration of single-stimulus regulation of on/off gating, magnitude tuning, and reversible sign inversion in a single liquid-crystal system, opening a pathway toward intelligent chiroptical materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3833-1
Developing plasmonic nanomaterials with compositions beyond noble metals is crucial for expanding their applications. Transition metal nitrides, such as titanium nitride (TiN), exhibit excellent plasmonic optical properties and photothermal conversion efficiency, showing promise in catalysis, photothermal therapy, and seawater desalination. However, the structure-property relationship governing their plasmonic optical properties remains unclear. Here, we constructed Au@TiN core-shell nanostructures and systematically investigated the tunability of their geometry, composition, and optical properties. By varying the Au core size and TiN shell thickness, we achieved precise control over the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from visible to near-infrared wavelengths. Single-particle scattering spectroscopy revealed distinct plasmon hybridization modes, with experimental spectra matching theoretical simulations. The Au@TiN nanostructures exhibited enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency (η = 78.5%) under 808 nm laser irradiation, significantly outperforming pure TiN nanoparticles (η = 45.2%). This work demonstrates multi-factor control over plasmonic effects in TiN, providing insights for designing TiN-based plasmonic nanomaterials for catalysis and sensing.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509051
Recyclables constitute a significant fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) and hold substantial potential for resource utilization and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, contributing to carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. However, reported GHG emission factors (EFs) for various recyclables vary widely across databases and literature, ranging from -19,110 to -125 kgCO2-eq·t⁻¹, with significant differences both among categories and within the same category, complicating accurate accounting. This study systematically integrates literature data on EFs for different recyclable categories, focusing on identifying factors causing intra-category variability. Data were collected from global databases (ecoinvent, WARM, CPCD, NAEI) and peer-reviewed studies over the past two decades, normalized to a functional unit of 1 tonne of recyclable. Statistical analysis (mean ± standard deviation) provided reference ranges for each category. Results show paper recyclables EFs range from -3,140 to 270 kgCO2-eq·t⁻¹, with corrugated cardboard and writing paper exhibiting higher absolute values than packaging paper due to structural strength and resource value. Plastic recyclables EFs range from -3,096 to -566 kgCO2-eq·t⁻¹, with EPS showing the highest reduction potential, followed by PET and PVC, then HDPE, LDPE, PP, and other plastics. Key influencing factors include functional unit definition, accounting scenario, system boundary, electricity emission factor selection, and calculation assumptions. The study recommends selecting EFs matching the specific accounting scenario and performing error analysis. Data gaps remain for LDPE, EPS, and other plastics, necessitating further experimental or field data. To enhance accuracy, calibration methods such as process-level and life-cycle inventory data calibration are proposed. This work provides a scientific basis for EF selection and calibration in GHG accounting of recyclables.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3609-0
This correction addresses an inadvertent duplication error in Fig. 4d of the original article published in Sci China Mater 2021, 64(8): 2045–2055. The TUNEL staining image of tumor tissue in the PBS group was mistakenly duplicated with the Vector/siNC group during figure assembly. The corrected Fig. 4 is provided, which includes the timeline for in vivo tumor immunotherapy, relative tumor volume changes (n=6 per group; **p<0.01, ***p<0.001), relative mouse body weight variations, and H&E and TUNEL staining of tumor sections on day 14. The correction does not alter the overall results, interpretation, or conclusions of the study. The original research demonstrated that dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au DENPs) can effectively deliver siRNA for gene silencing, thereby boosting immune checkpoint blockade for tumor therapy. The study highlighted the potential of this nanoplatform for combined gene therapy and immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025022302
The escalating environmental contamination by mercury ions (Hg2+) poses severe risks to ecosystems and human health, necessitating the development of rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection methods. In this study, Fe1-xS@CNT composite nanozymes were synthesized via a straightforward solvothermal approach. The nanozymes exhibit uniform morphology, structural stability, and significant peroxidase (POD)-like activity. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) facilitates electron transfer, enhancing the Fenton reaction between Fe2+/Fe3+ to generate abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide anions (·O2−). The synergistic action of these ROS and photogenerated holes (h+) promotes the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to a blue-colored product (oxTMB), establishing a colorimetric system of Fe1-xS@CNT + H2O2 + TMB. The specific binding of S2− on the nanozyme surface to Hg2+ inhibits POD activity, reducing the absorbance of the system. This principle was harnessed to develop a colorimetric method for Hg2+ quantification in environmental water samples. The method demonstrates a linear range of 0.1–500 μg·L−1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 μg·L−1. Validation in real water samples (campus and tap water) showed recoveries between 94.4% and 111.1% with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 3.0%, comparable to atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The method offers advantages of simplicity, rapid analysis, and naked-eye visibility, providing a novel approach for on-site monitoring of heavy metal pollutants.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606014
Microplastics, as emerging environmental pollutants, can adsorb psychotropic drugs in aquatic environments, facilitating their migration and transformation, ultimately posing ecological risks. This study investigated the adsorption behavior and mechanisms of four common microplastics—polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—each with a particle size of 50 μm, toward three psychoactive drugs: diazepam, fluoxetine, and mianserin. Adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and the effects of pH and salinity were examined. Kinetic data fitted well to a pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. Isotherm analysis using Langmuir and Freundlich models revealed that PE exhibited the highest affinity for fluoxetine, PP for mianserin, and PVC for diazepam, while PS showed linear adsorption for fluoxetine, suggesting partitioning. The adsorption of diazepam was maximal at pH 6.5–8.5, typical of natural surface waters, and increased with NaCl concentration, indicating that non-electrostatic interactions dominate and that higher ionic strength enhances adsorption. Mechanistic insights suggest that hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions (for PS), and halogen bonding (for fluoxetine) contribute to adsorption. These findings highlight the potential of microplastics to act as vectors for psychoactive drugs, necessitating further research on their environmental fate and ecological implications.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606010
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a critical factor controlling endogenous phosphorus (P) migration in eutrophic waters. Existing oxygenation technologies suffer from high energy consumption and sediment disturbance, necessitating low-disturbance, pH-stable strategies that avoid additional nitrogen and P loads. This study evaluated an oxygen-loaded porous material (OLPM) for inhibiting sediment P release using laboratory microcosms with natural eutrophic water samples. DO microprofiles across the sediment-water interface (SWI) were measured with microelectrodes; diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) resolved Fe, S, and P distributions; and sequential extraction quantified sediment P fractions. Results showed that OLPM coverage increased surface sediment DO concentration by 6.58-fold and DO penetration depth by 1.33-fold (16.8 mm). Overlying water total phosphorus (TP) decreased by 93.79%, and sediment interstitial phosphate (PO4-P) decreased by up to 45.75%. The SWI TP exchange flux reversed from +0.0068 mg/(m2·d) to -0.014 mg/(m2·d), shifting the system from a P source to a P sink. Sediment P fractionation revealed a 5.22% increase in stable Res-P and a 4.48% decrease in labile NaHCO3-P. Mechanistically, OLPM enhanced iron oxidation (Fe2+ reduced by 59.62%) and suppressed sulfate reduction (S2- homogenized at low levels), promoting P immobilization via Fe-S coupling. The material effectively inhibits endogenous P release through interfacial DO regulation without altering pH, offering a promising approach for eutrophication management.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606009
The escalating volume of municipal solid waste in China necessitates effective disposal strategies. Industrial kiln co-processing offers a promising route, but high-temperature decomposition of chlorinated components releases HCl and Cl2, causing severe equipment corrosion and operational issues. This study investigates the high-temperature dechlorination performance of fly ash and red mud, two abundant industrial solid wastes, as potential dechlorination agents. Using a high-temperature tube furnace system, dechlorination efficiencies were evaluated across 600–900 °C. At 700 °C, fly ash achieved a peak dechlorination efficiency of 93.33%, while red mud reached 88.61%. However, efficiencies declined with further temperature increase, dropping to 65.6% and 58.27% at 900 °C for fly ash and red mud, respectively. To enhance performance at higher temperatures, fly ash was modified via alkali (NaOH) treatment. The modification increased surface roughness and porosity, disrupted Si-O-Si and Si-O-Al networks, and exposed active sites. Consequently, the alkali-modified fly ash exhibited a peak dechlorination efficiency of 94.98% at 800 °C, a 23.08% improvement over unmodified fly ash (71.9%). These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of utilizing solid wastes as dechlorination agents, offering a dual benefit of waste valorization and cost-effective high-temperature gas purification. The study provides a foundation for scaling up this approach in industrial kiln applications, contributing to sustainable waste management and reduced environmental impact.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606003
Membrane separation technology, offering high separation efficiency, low energy consumption, and operational flexibility, is promising for lithium recovery. However, selective lithium extraction from complex matrices such as salt lake brines and battery leachates remains challenging. Traditional membrane development relies on empirical trial-and-error, suffering from low efficiency and the permeability-selectivity trade-off. This review systematically delineates machine learning (ML)-based frameworks for membrane material development, including high-throughput rational screening, inverse design of synthesis protocols, and high-fidelity performance prediction. We elucidate how advanced ML algorithms decipher structure-activity relationships at the molecular level, enabling breakthroughs in performance ceilings and guiding bottom-up fabrication of next-generation membranes. Critical challenges are assessed: scarcity of high-quality standardized datasets, limited model interpretability, and poor generalizability to industrial scales. Future directions emphasize physics-informed hybrid models, open-source global databases, and full-process system optimization to bridge laboratory innovation and industrial deployment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3749-3
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a viscoelastic material that dissipates energy through stress relaxation, a time-dependent mechanical property crucial for directing cellular processes such as spreading, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Dynamic hydrogels with reversible cross-links mimic this viscoelasticity, offering a promising platform for 3D cell culture and regenerative medicine. However, independently controlling stress relaxation without altering stiffness remains a major challenge. This review summarizes strategies for designing dynamic hydrogels that decouple stress relaxation from elastic modulus, and examines the effects of stress relaxation on stem cell fate and organoid self-organization. Key approaches include adjusting cross-linker kinetics, using guest-host interactions, and incorporating hydrolytically degradable units. Studies show that faster stress relaxation enhances cell spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation, while slower relaxation supports chondrogenesis. These findings underscore the importance of viscoelastic cues in stem cell regulation and provide design principles for biomimetic matrices. The review also discusses challenges in translating these materials to clinical applications, such as scalability and long-term stability. Ultimately, dynamic hydrogels with tunable stress relaxation hold significant potential for advancing in vitro stem cell culture models and regenerative therapies.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3894-9
Photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using water and O2 offers an economical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable route for H2O2 synthesis. However, current photocatalytic systems suffer from poor charge carrier transport, narrow light absorption, and insufficient active sites, leading to unsatisfactory H2O2 production efficiency. In this study, a CoS/ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) composite was constructed by in-situ growing CoS nanoclusters on ZIS via a solvothermal method for photocatalytic H2O2 production. The integration of CoS with ZIS broadened the light absorption spectrum. The optimized CoS/ZIS-3 composite exhibited an exceptional H2O2 production rate of 2693.39 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light in isopropanol, surpassing pristine ZIS and CoS by factors of 6.54 and 18.08, respectively. The S-scheme heterojunction and built-in electric field synergistically enhanced the separation and transportation of photogenerated charge carriers, thereby improving photocatalytic efficiency. The H2O2 synthesis mechanism involves dual-channel oxygen reduction and water oxidation reactions mediated by CoS/ZIS. The produced H2O2 effectively degraded organic pollutants and inhibited the growth of E. coli. This study presents a promising green strategy for enhancing ZIS-based photocatalysts through constructing S-scheme heterojunctions for efficient H2O2 synthesis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3808-x
The uncontrollable Zn dendrites and serious parasitic side reactions of the zinc anode severely impede the practical application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. In this work, a unique strategy of multipoint solvate coordination center is proposed, which anchors Zn2+ and H2O with complex sites to establish an intermolecular connection within the asymmetric solvation structure. A hydrated deep eutectic electrolyte based on multi-site methylurea (MU) with Janus properties is developed, in which Zn2+ and H2O interact with MU through Lewis acid-base and hydrogen bonding interaction, and the regulated asymmetric solvation configuration can guide the (002)-ordered Zn deposition. Simultaneously, a small amount of polyethylene glycol (PEG, Mw=20000) can facilitate homogenous (002) Zn deposition by suppressing Zn2+ transfer kinetics. Benefiting from the rationally regulated solvation structure and PEG molecules adsorbed onto Zn anodes, the side reactions and Zn dendrites are significantly inhibited. As a result, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell delivers outstanding cycling performance over 3900 h (1 mA cm−2, 0.5 mA h cm−2). In addition, the Zn||V2O5 battery maintains 79.2% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1. The results suggest a promising oriented regulation strategy for sustainable aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3851-3
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) face critical challenges from zinc anode instability, including corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), parasitic byproduct formation, and uncontrolled dendrite growth. To address these issues, we developed a multifunctional cerium-based metal-organic framework (Ce-MOF) coating for zinc anodes. The coating features an ordered porous structure and inherent properties that mitigate HER, suppress side reactions, and inhibit dendrite formation. Symmetric cells using Ce-MOF/Zn demonstrated exceptional cycling stability for over 2060 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 with a low hysteresis polarization of 26 mV. In full cells with an I2@AC cathode, the Ce-MOF/Zn||I2@AC achieved outstanding cycling stability of 28,550 cycles at 5 A g−1, with 91% capacity retention (109.6 mAh g−1). Through integrated characterization employing in-situ optical microscopy, ex-situ XRD, SEM, and DFT calculations, we elucidated the multifunctional mechanism: the Ce-MOF coating facilitates preferential (002)-oriented Zn deposition to suppress dendrites, reduces Zn2+ desolvation energy to enhance deposition kinetics, and modulates interfacial chemistry to mitigate HER and corrosion. This work establishes Ce-MOF coatings as a simple yet powerful strategy for developing high-performance zinc anodes, providing critical insights for advancing practical AZIB technologies.