SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4493-8
Metal halide perovskite photovoltaics have achieved power conversion efficiencies rivaling crystalline silicon, yet their transition from laboratory-scale devices to commercial deployment requires a paradigm shift toward application-specific engineering and macroscopic system integration. This review systematically evaluates the customized deployment of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) across diverse operational theaters, including building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), portable Internet of Things (IoT) systems, agricultural photovoltaics (Agri-PV), vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV), utility-scale tandems, and extreme space environments. Despite these opportunities, critical challenges persist in translating laboratory achievements into industrial-scale production. We critically evaluate primary bottlenecks hindering gigawatt-scale commercialization, focusing on the performance gap inherent in large-area manufacturing. Additionally, we analyze intrinsic material instabilities driven by dynamic ion migration and multi-scale lattice strain under realistic outdoor conditions. To conclude, we outline a strategic roadmap for overcoming these barriers, emphasizing lattice strain regulation, rigorous dynamic environmental testing protocols, and comprehensive sustainable lifecycle management. By synergizing mechanistic insights with scalable manufacturing and ecological assessments, this review provides a holistic framework to accelerate the ubiquitous commercialization of customizable, stable, and high-efficiency perovskite energy systems.
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/s40843-025-3689-9
Converting body heat into electricity presents an appealing route for sustainably powering wearable electronics; however, conventional thermoelectric materials face significant drawbacks, including high ionic concentrations, toxicity, and limited thermoelectric efficiency. Here, we report an ionic thermoelectric hydrogel designed through precise supramolecular chemistry, utilizing dual molecular interactions: host-guest complexation of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) with I3− ions and hydrogen bonding between polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer chains and I3−. This molecularly tailored approach markedly amplifies thermoelectric performance, achieving a high thermopower of 2.21 mV/K and a tenfold enhancement in peak power output at an exceptionally low iodine concentration (10 mmol/L I− + 2.5 mmol/L I3−). The hydrogel maintains excellent biocompatibility and mechanical robustness, suitable for direct skin contact. Demonstrated applications include flexible thermoelectric devices generating nearly 100 mV from body heat and sensor arrays capable of motion and spatial temperature sensing. These results underscore the substantial potential of supramolecularly designed ionic thermoelectric hydrogels for wearable energy harvesting, personalized healthcare monitoring, and advanced human-computer interfaces.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506020
The rotary kiln roasting of lepidolite for lithium extraction faces challenges of unstable lithium conversion rates and high energy consumption. To address this, a multi-objective optimization method coupling improved neural network simulation with a multi-objective genetic algorithm was proposed, targeting the synergistic optimization of lithium conversion rate (TRLi) and natural gas consumption intensity (EIng). Using long-term industrial time-series data of batching parameters and kiln operating variables, back-propagation (BP) neural network and its particle swarm optimization (PSO) improved variant were developed to model TRLi and EIng. The PSO-BP model demonstrated superior accuracy in capturing the complex nonlinear relationships, reducing mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) to 0.278 and 0.284 for TRLi and EIng, respectively. Subsequently, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) was employed to construct a multi-objective optimization model, yielding a Pareto-optimal set of process parameters that maximize TRLi and minimize EIng. The results revealed that under NSGA-II optimized conditions, TRLi could be stabilized between 82.45% and 87.96%, an average increase of 3.61 percentage points over baseline operations, while EIng could be reduced to 53.7 m3 per ton of clinker. For an annual processing capacity of 3.2×105 tons of lepidolite concentrate and sulfate mixture, this corresponds to an additional 127.1 tons of lithium metal recovery, a reduction of 1,964,912 m3 in natural gas consumption, and a decrease of 3,763.84 tons in CO2 emissions annually. This study provides theoretical and technical support for the green, high-quality, and low-carbon supply of critical raw materials for the lithium battery new energy industry.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604022
The resource utilization of food waste contributes to reducing environmental pollution, driving nutrient cycling and biomass energy development, and promoting the resource recycling industry, achieving a win-win outcome for environment and economy. This study evaluated the resource recovery performance and environmental impacts of producing carbon sources for wastewater treatment through hydrolysis and acidification of food waste, comparing with two conventional alternatives: anaerobic fermentation and incineration. Results showed that among the three technologies, hydrolysis for carbon source production ranked middle in resource recycling efficiency, but its environmental benefits were superior to incineration and anaerobic fermentation. The hydrolysis process did not produce additional wastewater requiring treatment, and its greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste generation intensity were relatively low, at -40.7 kg CO2-eq/t and 9.3%, respectively. Carbon sources derived from food waste can replace commercial alternatives, reducing wastewater treatment costs and promoting synergies between pollution reduction and carbon mitigation. Sensitivity analysis revealed that water content in food waste significantly influences solid impurity generation and energy recovery efficiency of hydrolysis technology. In regions with high food waste generation and carbon source demand, hydrolysis technology is recommended to facilitate large-scale synergistic treatment of wastewater and food waste.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3464-4
Photocatalytic conversion of atmospheric CO2 (0.03%) into multi-carbon fuels remains a grand challenge due to the high energy barrier of C–C coupling and the low concentration of CO2. Here, we report the construction of multiple metal pair sites on metal oxide nanosheets to steer C–C coupling, enabling efficient photoreduction of air-concentration CO2 to ethane (C2H6). As a prototype, Au nanoparticles were anchored on Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets (Au-Bi4Ti3O12). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of Au-Ti metal pair sites at the interface. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of *OCCOH intermediate on Au-Bi4Ti3O12 during CO2 photoreduction, which was absent on pristine Bi4Ti3O12. Density functional theory calculations showed that the Gibbs free energy for *CO–COH formation on Au-Bi4Ti3O12 is 2.23 eV, significantly lower than that on Bi4Ti3O12 (3.59 eV), indicating facilitated C–C coupling. Consequently, Au-Bi4Ti3O12 exhibited a C2H6 evolution rate of 2.58 μmol g−1 h−1 under 0.03% CO2, whereas Bi4Ti3O12 produced only C1 products (CO and CH4). This work demonstrates the first single-catalyst photoreduction of atmospheric CO2 to C2H6, highlighting the effectiveness of engineered multiple active sites in overcoming the C–C coupling bottleneck.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61106-7
Hard carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries suffer from limited capacity, low initial Coulombic efficiency, and poor long-term cycling stability. To address these issues, we report a dual-stabilization strategy that combines micropore confinement and chemical bonding to control sulfur species in coal-derived hard carbon. Bituminous coal, with its naturally condensed aromatic framework, serves as the carbon precursor. A two-step thermal process first constructs a microporous carbon framework, followed by gas-phase sulfidation to introduce sulfur. The sulfur is confined within micropores and forms stable covalent C–S bonds with the carbon matrix, providing synergistic physical–chemical stabilization. This suppresses sulfur migration, prevents interfacial side reactions, and introduces additional redox-active sites. The optimized sample (HC-10) delivers a high reversible capacity of 450 mAh/g after 800 cycles at a current density of 1 A/g, with excellent rate capability and cycling stability. Mechanistic analysis reveals that the stabilized sulfur species reversibly participate in sodium-ion storage and improve interfacial kinetics. This work provides an effective strategy for stabilizing sulfur in coal-derived carbon materials and offers insights into the design of high-performance anodes for sodium-ion batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4046-6
The deliberate control of framework dimensionality represents a powerful yet underexplored strategy for tailoring the functionality of homochiral metal-organic frameworks (HMOFs). Herein, we report a logical dimensional evolution from 1D and 2D to 3D HMOFs, achieved by tuning the connectivity of the auxiliary ligand. Employing a planar, three-connected ligand, 2,4,6-tri(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (Tpt), together with enantiopure tetracarboxylate of cyclohexane diamide linkers ((1R,2R/1S,2S)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarbonyl bis(azanediyl)diisophthalate) (R,R/S,S-CHCAIP) and Zn2+ salts, a pair of 3D porous HMOFs (P/M-HMOF-5) was successfully constructed. The 3D framework features unique heart-shaped channels and a novel 4-(3,3,3,6)-connected topology. Structural analyses reveal trinuclear Zn3(μ3-O) clusters that, upon activation, generate open metal sites. These Lewis acid sites, synergizing with Lewis basic sites from the framework, confer efficient acid-base bifunctional heterogeneous catalysis for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolinones in excellent yields (90%–98%). Furthermore, P/M-HMOF-5 serve as highly sensitive and enantioselective fluorescent sensors for amino acids and α-hydroxy carboxylic acids, with the highest discrimination observed for phenylalanine (KBH(D-Phe)/KBH(L-Phe) = 5.85 for M-HMOF-5). This work demonstrates how rational ligand connectivity steers dimensional evolution, enabling the integration of distinct catalytic and sensing functions within a single chiral platform, thereby providing a blueprint for the design of advanced multifunctional materials.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026021301
Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) nanoparticles (NPs), generated during the lifecycle of LCO batteries via mechanical wear, pose respiratory health risks. This study systematically assessed LCO NPs' physicochemical properties, ion release, and immunotoxicity using multi-scale models. LCO NPs exhibited irregular morphology, layered crystal structure, good dispersion, and negative surface charge. Cobalt ion release was minimal: 1.03% in deionized water and 0.11% in cell culture medium. In vitro, LCO NPs significantly induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) in macrophages, promoting M1 polarization. In vivo, intranasal exposure caused dose-dependent pulmonary accumulation, alveolar destruction, inflammatory cell infiltration, and elevated cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant enrichment of NF-κB, JAK-STAT, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, implicating these in macrophage activation and inflammation amplification. This multi-level study elucidates LCO NPs' immunotoxicity mechanisms, providing a scientific basis for environmental health risk assessment and management of lithium-ion battery materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4099-2
Lithium (Li)-metal batteries (LMBs) are promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g−1) and low electrochemical potential (−3.04 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode). However, uncontrollable Li dendrite growth and volume fluctuations during cycling cause low Coulombic efficiency, safety hazards, and rapid capacity decay. Conventional 3D current collectors mitigate these issues by increasing surface area and providing void space, but they suffer from top-heavy deposition and underutilization of internal space. Emerging Janus/gradient anode structures, featuring asymmetric or gradient properties in lithiophilicity, conductivity, or porosity, enable bottom-up Li plating and efficient space utilization. This review systematically summarizes design principles, operational mechanisms, and recent progress in lithiophilic-lithiophobic Janus designs, conductivity-gradient frameworks, and dual-gradient configurations. These structures collectively improve Coulombic efficiency, cyclic longevity, and safety. The review concludes with future research directions, underscoring the potential of Janus/gradient anodes for high-energy-density and durable LMBs.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60669-X
Dry reforming of methane (DRM) converts CH4 and CO2 into syngas with a unity H2/CO ratio, but suffers from catalyst deactivation via sintering and carbon deposition at high temperatures. This study addresses these challenges by employing UiO-66 as a precursor to modify Pt-based catalysts. A series of Pt/CeO2-ZrO2 catalysts were synthesized via incipient wetness impregnation using supports with varying Ce/Zr ratios prepared hydrothermally. Comprehensive characterization—including CO2-TPD, CH4-TPD, XPS, XAFS, in situ DRIFTS, TG, and Raman spectroscopy—revealed a volcano-type correlation between DRM performance and Ce/Zr ratio. Optimal activity and stability were achieved with Pt/3CeO2-ZrO2 (Ce/Zr = 3:1). This catalyst features highly dispersed platinum, primarily as single atoms and thermally stable PtOx clusters. It exhibits the highest concentration of Ce3+ and Zr3+ species, abundant oxygen vacancies, and high defect density, indicating strong metal-support interaction. Mechanistically, stable DRM is facilitated by oxygen-assisted CH4 dissociation and hydrogen-assisted CO2 dissociation. At 800 °C, CH4 and CO2 conversions reached 86% and 93%, respectively, with H2/CO ratio near unity. A 10 h stability test showed no detectable carbon deposition. These results confirm that the catalyst enhances reaction kinetics while demonstrating superior activity, stability, and resistance to coking and sintering.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3643-8
Inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) suffer from defect-mediated nonradiative recombination and inefficient charge extraction, particularly at the buried interface and grain boundaries (GBs), which limit power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operational stability. This study introduces a multifunctional phosphonic acid molecule, (2-(3,6-bis(trifluoromethoxy)-9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl)phosphonic acid (M28), as an additive in the perovskite precursor solution. M28 spontaneously segregates toward the buried interface and GBs, fulfilling three roles: (1) slowing crystallization to enlarge grains and improve film quality, (2) passivating defects to suppress charge recombination, and (3) inducing p-type doping to create an extra electric field that promotes hole transport. Devices incorporating M28 achieve a champion PCE of 25.96% and retain 80% of initial efficiency after 1500 h of maximum power point tracking. This work demonstrates the efficacy of multifunctional phosphonic acid additives in addressing buried-interface and GB defects, offering a viable route to high-performance, stable inverted PSCs.