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.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010701
This study investigated the long-term effects of biochar application on physicochemical properties and microplastic accumulation in aeolian sandy soils, based on a field experiment established in 2014. After seven years of mulched cultivation, soil samples were collected from 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm depths. Biochar application significantly increased soil porosity and available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents, while reducing bulk density. At a biochar rate of 126.00 t·hm−2, soil water content was significantly reduced. Microplastic abundance averaged 3459.57 pieces·kg−1 in the 0–30 cm layer, with the highest abundance at 126.00 t·hm−2; in the 30–60 cm layer, average abundance was 3163.50 pieces·kg−1, with the highest at 63.00 t·hm−2. Microplastics were predominantly transparent, film-shaped, and 0–0.5 mm in size. The results indicate that biochar application significantly increased microplastic abundance in aeolian sandy soils, providing insights into microplastic adsorption and enrichment in agricultural ecosystems. Further research is needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3819-7
Selective solar-driven aerobic oxidation of biomass derivatives into valuable chemicals under ambient conditions is pivotal for sustainable chemical manufacturing but faces challenges from the conflict between O2 activation kinetics and selective C–H bond cleavage. This work demonstrates a spatial decoupling strategy in a precisely-engineered 2D/2D g-C3N4/ZnIn2S4 architecture, where ZnIn2S4 domains selectively activate O2, while adjacent g-C3N4 modulates electron transfer to O2 and tailors 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) binding configuration for selective C–H bond cleavage. This enables efficient selective conversion of HMF to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) via ambient aerobic photooxidation. When used alone, ZnIn2S4 produces mixed reactive oxygen species (·O2−/·OH) due to uncontrolled electron transfer during O2 activation. In-situ spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the 2D/2D heterojunction, driven by its directed electric field, selectively activates O2 into ·O2− at ZnIn2S4 domains while suppressing ·OH generation by moderate electron transfer, mitigating over-oxidation. Adjacent g-C3N4 domains precisely anchor HMF via –OH group interactions, steering selective DFF formation. This spatial decoupling achieves a remarkable HMF-to-DFF photo-conversion rate of 1517.5 μmol g−1 h−1 with 99.4% selectivity under ambient air, outperforming many reported state-of-the-art catalysts and maintaining durable cycling performance. The work establishes a spatial decoupling principle to overcome O2 activation kinetics and site competition thermodynamics, paving the way for advanced catalyst design for sustainable energy and the environment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026022502
This study investigates the effects of different land use types on topsoil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and their spatial distribution in the lower reaches of the Sancha River Basin, a karst region of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Grid sampling collected 0–20 cm topsoil from forestland (n=23), cultivated land (n=25), and grassland (n=32). Total C and N were measured. Results showed that topsoil C content followed grassland (40.36±22.92 g·kg−1) > forestland (37.05±12.83 g·kg−1) > cultivated land (34.06±14.57 g·kg−1), while N content followed forestland (2.89±0.76 g·kg−1) > grassland (2.67±1.19 g·kg−1) > cultivated land (2.50±0.65 g·kg−1). One-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences among land use types (P>0.05). Soil C and N were significantly positively correlated across all land uses (r>0.5, P<0.001). Coefficient of variation (CV) indicated grassland had the highest C variability (0.57), while forestland showed the most stable C and N (CV=0.35 and 0.26, respectively). Cultivated land had CVs of 0.43 for C and 0.26 for N. Spatially, forestland exhibited concentrated high C values with significant N heterogeneity; grassland had higher C in southern and eastern areas but scattered distribution, with generally low and variable N; cultivated land showed uniform but lowest C and N. Land use types significantly drive topsoil C and N dynamics through vegetation input, soil disturbance, and management practices, underscoring the importance of rational land use planning for enhancing carbon sink functions and sustainable development in karst watersheds.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608015
Inter-basin water diversion projects can profoundly alter the water quality dynamics of receiving basins. Taking the Qincun Reservoir and its downstream reaches in the Huangze River Basin as a case study, this research quantitatively evaluates water-quality responses under multiple coordinated management measures. An integrated Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code-Soil and Water Assessment Tool (EFDC-SWAT) modeling framework was established, coupling a two-dimensional hydrodynamic-water-quality model for the reservoir with a hydrology-water-quality model for the downstream reaches. Seven management scenarios were designed to reflect various combinations of point- and non-point-source pollution control strategies. Simulations focused on spatiotemporal variations in key indicators—total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and permanganate index (CODMn)—and assessed pollution-load reduction effectiveness. Comparative analysis using the comprehensive water quality identification index (CWQII) revealed that under Scenario 3 (highest pollution-control standards with lowest diversion volume), TN and TP concentrations in the reservoir decreased by 80% and 50%, respectively, achieving Class II water-quality standards. Downstream TN and TP levels declined by 36% and 33%, and the CWQII improved from 4.211 to 3.410. Land consolidation contributed 77% and 45% to TN and TP load reductions in the reservoir, respectively, while a 20% reduction in diversion volume was most effective in improving downstream TN (>50%). These results demonstrate that the coupled EFDC-SWAT model effectively elucidates mechanisms through which inter-basin water diversion influences water quality in supply areas. Moreover, synergistic point- and non-point-source controls exhibit a nonlinear enhancement effect on overall water-quality improvement.