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/s40843-026-4466-3
Conventional surface coating technologies for 45 steel are constrained by high processing temperatures, limited material compatibility, and insufficient interfacial bonding. This study introduces ultrasonic vibration-assisted mechanical coating (UVAMC) as a low-temperature deposition route that mitigates these limitations. The process yields a chromium coating on 45 steel with a nanoscale elemental interdiffusion transition layer at the interface, achieving a bonding strength of 66.0 MPa. The coating delivers improved corrosion resistance in aggressive environments while preserving the substrate's original compressive and tensile strength. The method also demonstrates broad process adaptability, successfully depositing copper, aluminum, and 316 stainless steel powders, and forming complex shapes such as the "SZU" pattern. These results establish UVAMC as a viable surface functionalization strategy for metallic materials, combining efficient deposition with operational flexibility.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4323-8
Sulfur-based batteries are promising for next-generation energy storage due to high theoretical capacity, natural abundance, and low cost of sulfur cathodes. However, practical implementation is impeded by sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, dissolution and migration of intermediate polysulfides, and formation of insulating discharge products. Conventional catalyst design focuses on charge distribution, adsorption energetics, and structural confinement, yet these approaches incompletely describe the complex electronic processes governing sulfur conversion. Electron spin, an intrinsic quantum degree of freedom, offers an additional dimension for modulating catalytic behavior via its influence on electronic structure and orbital interactions at catalytic interfaces. In spin-polarized systems, changes in occupation and splitting of transition-metal d orbitals can regulate d-p hybridization with sulfur species, affecting interfacial charge transfer and energetics of sulfur redox reactions. This review summarizes recent progress in elucidating and manipulating electron spin in sulfur-based battery systems. Fundamental principles connecting spin states with electronic structure and catalytic behavior are outlined, followed by experimental approaches for probing spin-related electronic properties using spectroscopic and magnetic characterization techniques. Emerging strategies for spin regulation are highlighted, including heteroatom doping, defect engineering, coordination environment modulation, chirality-induced spin selectivity, and external magnetic-field control. Remaining challenges in identifying spin effects under realistic electrochemical conditions are addressed, along with opportunities for integrating spin-related descriptors into catalyst design. Establishing quantitative relationships between spin polarization, orbital hybridization, and sulfur reaction pathways may provide new perspectives for high-performance sulfur-based batteries.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508004
Industrial processes generate substantial low-grade waste heat and cold, which can be harnessed via thermoelectric generators (TEGs) based on the Seebeck effect. However, the low-voltage output of TEGs poses application challenges. This study investigates a TEG-driven electrodeposition system for efficient treatment of low-concentration copper-containing wastewater from electroplating, integrated circuit, and energy industries. The TEG system, comprising two series-connected semiconductor modules, achieved a maximum power of 0.36 W at a temperature difference (ΔT) of 130 °C. Optimal operating parameters for the coupled system were determined: ΔT = 90 °C, counter-current flow (two-side inlet), flow rate of 20 mL·min⁻¹, initial Cu²⁺ concentration of 500 mg·L⁻¹, and electrode gap of 0.7 cm. Under these conditions, after 60 min of electrodeposition, copper removal efficiency reached 99.42%, current efficiency was 67.93%, and the energy conversion efficiency of the TEG-electrodeposition system was 36.96%. The system also treated real copper-containing wastewater, achieving 95.83% removal within 100 min. Characterization via SEM, XRD, and XPS revealed that the electrodeposited product consisted of metallic copper and cuprous oxide, with metallic copper accounting for approximately 60%. This work provides a promising approach for utilizing industrial waste heat and cold to achieve low-energy, high-efficiency treatment of heavy metal wastewater.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4028-5
The escalating thermal management demands of modern electronics necessitate materials with superior thermal conductivity and matched thermal expansion. Cu/Diamond composites are promising, yet their fabrication typically requires extreme conditions (high temperature/pressure) or complex coating processes. This work introduces a one-step, heat-source-free cold manufacturing method using ultrasonic vibration to consolidate Cu/Diamond composites at room temperature and a low pressure of ~16 MPa within seconds. The applied pressure is reduced by 200–500 times, and the required temperature is only 20% of that used in conventional high-temperature high-pressure sintering. Direct metallurgical bonding at Cu-Cu interfaces and solid embedding of diamond particles in the Cu matrix are achieved, yielding a composite with a high yield strength of 150 MPa. The method enables a maximum diamond proportion of ~60%, resulting in a thermal conductivity exceeding 1043 W/(m·K) and a coefficient of thermal expansion below 10×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. Complex shapes are readily fabricated, and heat dissipation tests demonstrate superior performance compared to commercial Al₂O₃ and AlN substrates. The loose preparation conditions and rapid processing confer significant industrial production potential.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025020901
The intensification of environmental pollution necessitates the development of efficient and sustainable remediation technologies. Piezoelectric-coupled photoelectrocatalysis and piezoelectric-coupled electrocatalysis, which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and integrate with photoelectrocatalytic or electrocatalytic processes, have demonstrated significant potential for environmental remediation. By combining the piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric materials with photocatalysis or electrocatalysis, these technologies markedly improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated or electrogenerated electron-hole pairs, thereby enhancing pollutant degradation. This review explores the working principles of piezoelectric-coupled photoelectrocatalysis and electrocatalysis, highlighting their latest advancements in environmental remediation, including the degradation of organic pollutants and value-added conversions. It also addresses the challenges currently faced in applying these technologies, such as limitations in light transmittance, restricted light absorption ranges, rapid carrier recombination, and the short lifespan of electrodes in electrochemical systems. Finally, potential future research directions are discussed, emphasizing the need for improved material stability, scalable synthesis methods, and a deeper mechanistic understanding to bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical applications.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510034
Phosphonate wastewater, characterized by stable C–P bonds, poses significant environmental risks due to its resistance to degradation and potential to contribute to eutrophication. This study developed a chloride-enhanced Fe(II)/PMS/H2O2 system for the oxidative degradation of 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC) and simultaneous recovery of phosphorus as iron phosphate (FePO4). Under optimal conditions (0.1 mmol/L PBTC, 1.0 mmol/L Fe(II), 0.5 mmol/L PMS, 0.5 mmol/L H2O2, 10 mmol/L NaCl, initial pH 3.0, 60 min), total phosphorus (TP) removal reached 100%, with phosphorus nearly completely recovered as FePO4 precipitate. Increasing NaCl concentration and temperature enhanced TP removal, while pH significantly influenced removal efficiency and product speciation; acidic conditions (pH < 4.3) favored FePO4 precipitation. Coexisting Ca2+ and Mg2+ had negligible effects, whereas HCO3− and humic acid (HA) inhibited TP removal in a concentration-dependent manner. Radical quenching and electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses identified hydroxyl radicals (•OH), ferryl ion (Fe(IV)=O), sulfate radicals (SO4•−), and chlorine radicals (Cl•) as primary reactive species, with •OH playing a dominant role. Chloride introduction promoted the generation of multiple reactive species, and Cl• and its derivative Cl2•− directly attacked the C–P bond and phosphonate group, facilitating phosphorus release as PO43− and subsequent FePO4 formation. The system's feasibility was validated using actual industrial circulating cooling water. This study provides a novel approach for phosphonate wastewater treatment and phosphorus recovery.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510081
Electrochemical two-electron oxygen reduction (2e−ORR) for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) synthesis faces challenges of low cathodic catalytic efficiency and complex catalyst preparation. This study prepared nitrogen-vacancy (Nv) rich carbon nitride via one-step pyrolysis, composited with carbon nanotubes (CNT), and loaded onto graphite felt (GF) to fabricate a non-precious metal gas diffusion electrode Nv-C3N4-CNT/GF. The electrode exhibited a three-dimensional fibrous skeleton with interconnected micro-nano hierarchical pores, facilitating efficient electron transport. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed a low charge transfer resistance of 13.26 Ω, indicating superior electrocatalytic activity and charge transfer efficiency. Single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) optimization determined optimal conditions: calcination temperature 300 °C, catalyst mass ratio 3:1, Nv-C3N4-CNT loading 0.1 g, current density 40 mA·cm−2, pH 7, and aeration rate 0.1 L·min−1. Under these conditions, H2O2 accumulation reached 1622.73 mg·L−1 after 90 min, which was 1.3 and 1.5 times higher than g-C3N4-CNT/GF and CNT/GF electrodes, respectively. Stability tests showed that after 6 cycles, H2O2 production remained at 1400.52 mg·L−1, and within 960 min, the maximum production reached 2014.04 mg·L−1 with a highest Faradaic efficiency of 54.86%. These results demonstrate the electrode's potential for cyclic use. This study provides a new approach for developing efficient, low-cost electrodes for electrosynthesis of H2O2, offering a reference for green H2O2 production.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202510042
Given China's escalating municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and the limitations of current classification schemes, this study proposes a novel waste classification model centered on mid-end intelligent sorting technology. The approach integrates targeted pretreatment with multimodal visual recognition and robotic grasping to efficiently sort complex household waste, while compact equipment innovations adapt to the low-value characteristics of recyclables. An engineering demonstration case shows that the technology can effectively recover low-value recyclables comprising 15%–30% of mixed MSW. If applied at 5% of a case city's waste transfer stations, approximately 5×10^4 t of recyclables could be sorted annually. Preliminary estimates indicate a 20% return on investment for operators at an 80 t·d−1 scale. The study demonstrates that mid-end intelligent sorting offers a technically feasible and economically sustainable solution to reduce fiscal expenditure on waste classification while improving efficiency.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511062
Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are a green technology for simultaneous polluted sediment remediation and energy recovery, yet their performance is constrained by insufficient anodic microbial activity and low electron transfer efficiency. This study employed lactate addition combined with composite engineered microbial immobilization to synergistically optimize SMFC performance by enhancing microbial stability and carbon source supply. Results showed that lactate, as an easily utilized electron donor, promoted electrochemical activity, achieving a maximum power density of 22.06 mW·m−2 at 6 mmol·L−1, a 194% improvement over the blank group. Immobilization further enhanced electron transfer efficiency, with the highest output voltage (88.75 mV) being 2.09 times that of the non-immobilized group. For pollutant degradation, the 6 mmol·L−1 lactate group achieved TOC and TN removal rates of 29.02% and 28.4%, respectively, outperforming the control (22.41% and 21.42%). However, high lactate concentrations inhibited microbial metabolism, leading to TOC accumulation. 16S rRNA analysis revealed that the anodic microbial community was dominated by Bacillota and Pseudomonadota, both possessing electroactive and pollutant-degrading capabilities, indicating that lactate and immobilization exert a synergistic effect in SMFCs, simultaneously enhancing electricity generation and pollutant removal efficiency.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3953-5
Tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) are the leading candidate for lead-free perovskite photovoltaics, yet their efficiency lags behind lead-based counterparts due to interfacial losses. This highlight analyzes a recent breakthrough by Li et al. (Nature Publishing Group, 2025) that addresses these losses via a triphenylamine-based starburst-shaped D-D-p-A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) molecule, MBP, anchored on nickel oxide (NiOx) as a buried hole-transport layer. The MBP molecule features a cyanoethyl phosphate anchoring group, enabling homogeneous adsorption on NiOx, and an expanded conjugated structure that yields a highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of -4.95 eV, closely matching the valence band maximum of tin perovskites. This alignment reduces energy mismatch, while the push-pull electron system enhances hole extraction. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and steady-state photoluminescence (PL) measurements confirm faster hole extraction and reduced non-radiative recombination at the NiOx/MBP interface. Contact angle measurements demonstrate super-wettability of the perovskite precursor on NiOx/MBP, promoting high-quality film growth. Devices incorporating NiOx/MBP achieve a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.6% (as reported in the original paper), with significantly improved long-term shelf stability and operational stability under illumination. This work underscores the potential of tailored SAM molecules to overcome energy-level and wettability bottlenecks, advancing TPSCs toward practical application.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3392-8
Electroreduction-derived Cu-based two-dimensional materials are promising catalysts for CO2 conversion to C2+ products, yet the role of reconstructed interface structures remains ambiguous. We fabricate interface-engineered Cu nanosheets via in situ pre-electrolysis of kilogram-scale brochantite nanosheet precursors. Lead underpotential deposition and OH− electrosorption analysis confirm abundant Cu(100)/Cu(110) interfaces. In situ attenuated total reflection-surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy reveals C–C coupling pathways involving hydrogenation of *CO to *CHO, followed by coupling to *COCHO. Operando Raman spectra demonstrate that these interfaces provide sufficient *CO surface coverage, facilitating deep coupling reactions. Density-functional-theory calculations indicate that Cu(100)/Cu(110) interfaces reduce the energy barrier of the rate-determining hydrogenation step by 0.16 eV and promote *CO and *CHO coupling. Consequently, the Cu nanosheets achieve a C2+ Faradaic efficiency of 80.4% at an industrial current density of 800 mA cm−2, surpassing most reported Cu-based catalysts. This work establishes a molecular-level understanding of interface engineering for CO2 electroreduction, leveraging scalable precursor synthesis and precise characterization.