SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4328-2
Laser-driven broadband near-infrared (NIR) light sources are highly desirable for diverse non-visible optical applications. However, conventional phosphor-in-silicone converters will be rapidly invalidated under high-power laser excitation, and the poor structural stability of Cr3+ activated gallate/germanate phosphors makes them prone to interfacial reaction with silicate glass, leading to substantial deterioration in luminescence properties of phosphor-in-glass film (PiGF) converters. Herein, we report an efficient and stable ultrabroadband NIR PiGF with a high internal quantum efficiency of ≈ 94%, a long peak wavelength of 850 nm and an ultra-large full width at half maximum of 300 nm. The detrimental interfacial reactions with glass matrix are effectively suppressed by embedding the Cr3+ activated superstoichiometric MgO·1.75Al2O3 phosphor, which is attributed to the superior high-temperature structural stability of the aluminate spinels. Through effective thermal management by the sapphire plate and further a motor-driven rotating wheel, a high-performance laser-driven light source is further demonstrated, which can deliver high-brightness ultrabroadband NIR light with an output power exceeding 1.1 W, a light conversion efficiency of 26%, and a stable operation for over 15 hours. Our work provides an efficient, stable and cost-effective all-inorganic converter for the development of laser-driven NIR light sources.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4313-7
Liquid-to-vapor mass transfer is central to energy and environmental processes. Conventional distillation relies on vapor-liquid equilibrium and device-level optimization, with materials playing passive structural roles. Non-boiling processes such as membrane distillation and interfacial solar evaporation localize phase change at confined interfaces, making mass transfer a materials-mediated transport phenomenon where interfacial structure and chemistry dictate evaporation kinetics, vapor escape, and solute rejection. Janus interface materials, featuring spatially separated hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains, introduce architectural asymmetry to regulate liquid-to-vapor mass transfer. This review summarizes recent advances, highlighting mechanisms including the cooperative pump-valve effect, nanoconfinement-enhanced transport, and mitigation of fouling and scaling. Representative applications in membrane distillation, solar-driven evaporation, and personal thermal-moisture management are systematically discussed. Key challenges and future opportunities are outlined, particularly in advancing fundamental understanding, scalable fabrication, and practical implementation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4151-2
The rapid increase in atmospheric CO2 due to fossil-fuel consumption has heightened the demand for efficient carbon capture and utilization technologies. Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as versatile media and catalysts for CO2 conversion, offering advantages such as negligible volatility, wide electrochemical windows, and strong CO2 affinity. However, the vast design space of ILs and limited experimental data make traditional trial-and-error screening inefficient. This review summarizes recent advancements in applying machine learning (ML) to the design and screening of ILs for CO2 conversion. The roles of ILs in catalytic processes and the limitations of traditional screening methods are discussed. ML-based workflows are explored, with emphasis on addressing challenges posed by small and noisy datasets. Finally, future opportunities in mechanism-informed descriptors, multi-objective optimization, and the integration of domain expertise with data-driven approaches are highlighted to accelerate the discovery of next-generation ILs for sustainable CO2 conversion.
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.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604011
Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane fouling remains a critical bottleneck in reclaimed water production, yet its spatial heterogeneity over extended operation is poorly understood. This study investigated fouling characteristics and microbial community dynamics on RO membranes after 3.5 years of operation in a full-scale microfiltration-reverse osmosis (MF-RO) system treating reclaimed water. Long-term monitoring showed stable effluent quality (turbidity <0.1 NTU, conductivity <400 μS/cm), but RO inlet pressure exhibited seasonal fluctuations of 15%–22% between summer and winter, attributed to water viscosity changes. Membrane autopsies revealed distinct fouling layers at the inlet (RO1) and outlet (RO2) ends. RO1 featured a dense bio-inorganic composite fouling layer with CaSO4 crystals and rod-shaped microbial aggregates (5–10 μm), dominated by Proteobacteria (77.11%), particularly Alphaproteobacteria (71.49%) and Xanthobacteraceae (35.29%), which secreted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to form biofilms. In contrast, RO2, exposed to higher salinity, showed reduced microbial abundance (Proteobacteria decreased to 64.79%) and a shift toward halotolerant taxa, including Microbacteriaceae (23.73%) and Actinobacteriota (24.76%), with EPS secretion increased by 42%. Alphaproteobacteria relative abundance dropped by 19.3%, while Gammaproteobacteria rose to 12.54%. These findings elucidate salinity-driven microbial succession and spatial heterogeneity of fouling, providing a basis for targeted antifouling strategies and 'zonal-graded' cleaning protocols in reclaimed water plants.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025030403
Microplastics (MPs) act as vectors for co-migrating antibiotics and heavy metals, forming complex pollution systems with potential joint toxicity. However, the differential adsorption behaviors and underlying mechanisms of MPs toward organic versus inorganic pollutants remain insufficiently understood. This study selected polypropylene (PP) microplastics, a major component of agricultural plastic films, and investigated the adsorption of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and Cr(VI) onto aged PP under varying environmental conditions. Results demonstrated that aging increased the maximum adsorption capacity by 2–3 times for both pollutants. Notably, aged PP exhibited approximately 30 times higher adsorption capacity for SMX than for Cr(VI). Characterization revealed that aging introduced oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., carbonyl) on the MP surface, enhancing adsorption. Mechanistic analysis indicated that hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions dominated SMX adsorption, while Cr(VI) adsorption was primarily governed by electrostatic interactions and pore-filling. The stronger intermolecular forces for SMX compared to reversible pore-filling for Cr(VI) explained the observed differences. Increasing pH induced electrostatic repulsion, reducing adsorption of both pollutants. High concentrations of Na+ and Mg2+ caused charge shielding, potentially enhancing Cr(VI) adsorption but inhibiting SMX adsorption due to competition for active sites. The presence of organic matter (humic acid) had negligible effects on Cr(VI) adsorption but reduced SMX adsorption, likely due to complexation. These findings elucidate distinct molecular-level pathways for organic versus inorganic pollutant adsorption on aged MPs, highlighting the roles of hydrogen bonding and pore-filling in driving differential behaviors.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506024
A simple, economical method for the multi-residue determination of phenolic compounds in wastewater was developed using simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) combined with derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The effects of extraction time, salt concentration, and pH on extraction efficiency were investigated. Optimal recovery was achieved with the addition of 10 g·L−1 NaCl, adjustment of pH to 4, and extraction with dichloromethane for 2.5 h. Under these conditions, recoveries for spiked concentrations of 100 ng·L−1 and 1,000 ng·L−1 ranged from 58.92% to 91.08% (RSD 2.97%–8.60%, n=3) and 68.83% to 109.88% (RSD 3.06%–7.22%, n=3), respectively. Limits of quantification (LOQ) were between 8.46 and 59.67 ng·L−1, with good linearity over the range of 10.0–1,000 ng·L−1. The method integrates extraction and purification in a single step, reducing sample preparation steps and organic solvent consumption, while improving sample throughput and recovery. Derivatization enhances sensitivity, enabling the detection of ultra-trace phenolic multi-residues in complex matrices such as influent of wastewater treatment plants.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026012501
Childhood hypertension is a growing global concern, with approximately 4% of Chinese children exhibiting sustained elevated blood pressure meeting hypertension criteria, and single-time-point screening detecting rates of 14%–20% (up to 19% in obese children). Environmental exposure to metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, copper, chromium) and bisphenol analogues (bisphenol A, S, F) has been implicated as a modifiable risk factor. This review synthesizes epidemiological evidence linking such exposures to blood pressure alterations in children and adolescents, highlighting dose-response relationships and potential mechanisms, including oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and epigenetic programming. Key findings from cited studies indicate that low-dose bisphenol A exposure alters human cardiomyocyte functionality, and synergistic effects with insulin resistance elevate childhood blood pressure. Metal exposures, particularly lead and cadmium, are associated with increased blood pressure and cardiovascular structural changes. The review underscores the critical window of developmental exposure and the 'tracking phenomenon' linking childhood blood pressure to adult hypertension. Limitations include cross-sectional designs and confounding by mixed exposures. Future research should employ longitudinal cohorts and multi-pollutant models to refine risk assessment. Preventive strategies should integrate school health programs to reduce environmental exposure and monitor cardiovascular health.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3906-2
Achieving flexible polymer-based organic afterglow materials with color-tunable and stimulus-responsive capabilities is significant in diverse optoelectronic fields, especially in next-generation wearable full-color display applications, yet remains a great challenge. Here, we report polymer-based dual-mode afterglow systems that realize long-lived color-tunable afterglow with full-color gamut of blue, green, orange, red, and even white-light emissions with ultralong lifetimes up to 2.42 s. This unique performance is enabled by a universal strategy of dual-mode afterglow-assisted Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) that utilizes seconds-long dual-mode afterglow materials as energy donors and permits efficient synchronous transfer of singlet and triplet excitons from energy donors to the fluorescent dye acceptors. More impressively, the dual-mode afterglow-assisted FRET efficiency reaches up to 99%, with the lifetime of the energy acceptor reaching 1.55 s. Associated with the abundant hydrogen-bonding interactions within the polymer system, the doped afterglow films exhibit water/thermal stimulus responsiveness and recyclability. Furthermore, these full-color dual-mode afterglow materials are employed for multicolor screen-printing, optical anti-counterfeiting, and high-level information encryption, demonstrating considerable application potential in advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3984-5
Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) are promising for large-scale energy storage due to high theoretical capacity, inherent safety, and abundant aluminum reserves. However, conventional AlCl3-based ionic liquid electrolytes suffer from high cost, uncontrolled dendrite growth, and severe anode corrosion. Here, a molecular-level ligand engineering strategy is proposed, employing nitrogen-containing cyclic amides with tunable N–H functionalities to modulate the coordination environment of deep eutectic electrolytes (DEEs). Combined experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the α-pyrrolidone-based DEE (PDEE) possesses a wider electrochemical window, higher ionic conductivity, and lower polarization. Precise N–H regulation optimizes cationic ligand and chloroaluminate anion interactions, accelerating ion transport to facilitate uniform Al deposition without dendrites. The amine functionalities enable in situ construction of a uniform inorganic-organic bilayer solid electrolyte interphase, mitigating anode corrosion and enhancing long-term interfacial stability. As a result, Al//Al symmetric batteries with PDEE achieve stable cycling for over 2000 hours, while Al-graphite full batteries demonstrate negligible capacity decay after 6000 cycles. This study establishes that ligand molecular engineering offers an effective strategy for optimizing DEEs, enabling durable and high-performance RABs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4000-1
Formamidine lead-based perovskites (FAPbI3) exhibit significant potential in optoelectronic applications. Nevertheless, they encounter challenges related to δ-phase instability and reliance on toxic solvents. In this study, we present a green solvent-additive synergy strategy that employs γ-valerolactone (GVL) in conjunction with reductive acids like oxalic acid (OA), to stabilize α-FAPbI3 single crystals (SCs). GVL enhances the stability of the precursors through the formation of FA+-GVL hydrogen bonds and high-valence [PbIx]2−x clusters, resulting in ambient-stable α-phase SCs, yielding a marked improvement in stability compared to SCs prepared with the toxic solvent γ-butyrolactone (GBL). Additive modulation demonstrates that H+ and reductive groups play a critical role in regulating crystallization, suppressing the δ-phase by promoting FA+ dissociation and inhibiting MA+ deprotonation. A solvent-involved intermediate, δ-FAPbI3-GVL, has been identified; this intermediate evolves into α-FAPbI3 at a low temperature of 60 °C, thereby reducing the energy barriers associated with the α to δ phase transition. In contrast, non-reductive acids and reductive ionic liquids do not inhibit δ-phase formation, with the latter even promoting the crystallization of pure δ-FAPbI3. By utilizing low-volatility OA as an additive, optimized FA0.9MA0.1PbI3 single crystal thin films exhibit a low defect density of 8.3 × 10^11 cm−3. Subsequently, a photodetector was fabricated. Under zero bias voltage and 780 nm illumination, the device exhibited a responsivity of 14.5 mA/W, a detectivity of 3.75 × 10^10 Jones, and a response speed of 149/65 μs. Moreover, without any encapsulation, the device’s performance diminished by only 17% after 30 days of storage in ambient conditions, indicating remarkable stability.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3998-8
Constitutional isomerism in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has emerged as a powerful strategy to tailor material properties for photocatalytic applications. Here, we report the design and synthesis of two isomeric multicomponent COFs (MC-COFs) via Schiff-base condensation followed by Povarov reaction, converting imine linkages into quinoline structures. These isomeric MC-COFs exhibit opposing C=N bond orientations and distinct phenyl group alignments within the COF pores, leading to different torsion angles in the COF layers. Structural analyses reveal that enhanced planarity promotes π-π stacking and electron delocalization, resulting in favorable band structures and reduced exciton binding energies. Consequently, the optimized COF achieves a superior hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production rate of 3128 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light irradiation. This work underscores the critical influence of structural isomerism on the photocatalytic efficiency of MC-COFs and provides insights for rational design of high-performance COF-based photocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4150-2
Bacterial infection and irregular wound morphology are major challenges in clinical wound management. Injectable hydrogels can conform to irregular wound geometries but often lack antimicrobial activity. Here, we report an injectable hydrogel (HPAu gel) formed by sequentially mixing phenylboronic acid-modified hyaluronic acid (HA-PBA) and chloroauric acid under alkaline conditions. The gel's internal multiple crosslinks enable uniform encapsulation of in situ-generated gold nanoparticles. Hydrogen bonds and phenylboronic acid ester bonds confer self-healing, injectability, and adhesion, allowing effective sealing of irregular cavities. In vitro, the hydrogel exhibits long-lasting photothermal stability and eliminates multiple bacterial strains. In a mouse dorsal full-thickness infected wound model, HPAu gel under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation eradicated Staphylococcus aureus, reduced inflammation (TNF-α fluorescence area significantly lower; IL-10 area 12.88‰ vs <2‰ in Blank), promoted vascular regeneration (CD31 and α-SMA expression increased), and accelerated wound healing. This work presents a promising strategy for treating irregular infected wounds.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3491-6
Binary alloys have garnered significant attention for sodium-ion battery anodes due to their ability to combine the advantages of single-phase alloys. However, these materials often demonstrate limited electrochemical performance, and the relationship between their crystallization states and sodium storage properties remains poorly understood. Here, Bi-Sn binary alloys with various compositions were synthesized via phase-separation metallurgy to explore the sodium storage properties of different crystalline structures. The results indicate that hypo- and hyper-eutectic Bi-Sn alloys readily form a dendritic primary phase at the non-eutectic interface, which aggravates structural degradation and increases internal resistance. In contrast, Bi-Sn alloys with optimized eutectic interfaces effectively control dendritic growth and reduce defects, resulting in enhanced microstructural stability and superior electrochemical performance. The eutectic p-Bi57Sn43@C anode achieves a record-high specific capacity of 470.3 mAh g−1 at 1 C and exhibits remarkable long-term cycling stability, retaining 95.2% of its capacity after 1000 cycles at 20 C. The defect-free eutectic concept presented here establishes a valuable foundation for future studies of binary and polycrystalline eutectic alloys in electrochemical applications.