SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4500-8
Electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene offers a promising route for renewable electricity storage, yet achieving high ethylene selectivity at industrial current densities remains challenging due to the large energy barrier for C–C coupling. Here, we report a “MOF-assisted in situ doping” strategy to introduce the oxophilic nonmetal phosphorus (P) into the copper oxide (CuO) lattice, constructing a localized Cu–P dual-site adsorption configuration for the key *OCCHO intermediate. The optimized catalyst delivers an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 64.6% for ethylene with a partial current density of 646 mA cm-2. Comprehensive structural characterizations demonstrate that P mainly occupies Cu sites, generating abundant lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. In situ synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that P doping modulates the electronic structure of Cu, optimizes the binding energies of *CO and *CHO, and stabilizes *OCCHO via P–O/Cu–C dual-site adsorption, thereby significantly lowering the asymmetric C-C coupling energy barrier to 0.74 eV. This work highlights a dual-site microenvironment regulation strategy for CO2-to-ethylene electroreduction.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4286-4
Multifunctional nanoplatforms capable of efficiently regulating both emerging and classical cell death mechanisms, thereby overcoming the adaptive resistance of malignant cells to certain cell death modalities, remain a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a new concept for the self-assembly of zinc-cystine coordination networks on curcumin (Cur) drug nanocrystals (DNCs) to construct Cur@PDA@GOx/Zn-Cys (CPGZC) nanoplatforms, enabling enhanced antitumor therapy through multicomponent synergistic modulation of both newly identified disulfidptosis and classical apoptosis. At tumor site, GOx-mediated glucose depletion reduces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) levels, which can impair the intracellular conversion of cystine to cysteine. Combined with the exogenous cystine delivered by CPGZC NPs, rapid intracellular disulfide accumulation strongly activates disulfidptosis. Simultaneously, the reduction in NADPH levels inhibits GSH biosynthesis, augmenting the intracellular ROS levels elicited by Cur DNCs within the CPGZC nanoplatforms. Moreover, the elevated oxidative stress, in synergy with the excessive Zn2+ introduced, aggravates mitochondrial damage, thereby further amplifying apoptosis. Consequently, the synergistic modulation of disulfidptosis and apoptosis induces a potent antitumor response, as validated by comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations. This study opens new avenues for the development of multifunctional nanoplatforms for enhanced cancer therapy through the effective integration of both emerging and classical cell death mechanisms, which may serve as a promising strategy to advance our comprehension of synergistic utilization of various cell death mechanisms and combat with complex cancers.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4343-7
Piezoelectric materials interconvert mechanical and electrical energy, but piezoceramics are brittle while PVDF-based ferroelectric polymers exhibit low piezoelectric coefficients (d33 ≈ -30 pC N-1). Chemical modification via morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) engineering has raised d33 in P(VDF-TrFE) to -63.5 pC N-1, and to -69 pC N-1 with stretching, but intrinsic piezoelectricity in relaxor terpolymers remains limited. Here, relaxor ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) with varying C=C double bond (DB) content is synthesized via dehydrochlorination. Structural and electrical characterization reveals that increasing DB content stabilizes long-range ferroelectric order while suppressing short-range relaxor characteristics, forming a trans/helix phase boundary. At a critical DB content of 2.0 mol%, a markedly enhanced intrinsic d33 of -129.0 pC N-1 is achieved, outperforming previous MPB approaches. This finding addresses the fundamental bottleneck of low piezoelectric response in flexible ferroelectric polymers and provides a viable route for high-performance wearable electromechanical devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4499-9
Two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric materials have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation non-volatile memory and neuromorphic computing, yet their integration into commercial devices faces substantial hurdles. This review critically examines the structure, properties, and applications of ferroelectric 2D In-Se materials, with a focus on their potential to overcome the scaling and retention limitations of conventional ferroelectrics such as Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO). The manuscript synthesizes recent advances in In-Se ferroelectricity, including the mechanisms of polarization switching, modulation strategies, and device demonstrations. Key experimental benchmarks from the literature are analyzed, such as the high data retention and read endurance of 5-nm HZO ferroelectric FETs (IEEE Electron Device Lett, 2019, 40(3): 399-402) and the giant barrier height modulation in ferroelectric van der Waals heterojunctions (Nat Electron, 2020, 3: 466-472). The review also highlights the performance of sliding ferroelectric memories based on rhombohedral-stacked bilayer MoS2, which achieved non-volatile storage with low power consumption (Nat Commun, 2024, 15: 10796). Despite these advances, critical challenges remain: the scalability of In-Se synthesis, the control of domain dynamics at the nanoscale, and the cost parity with silicon-based technologies. By consolidating empirical data and identifying unresolved bottlenecks, this review provides a roadmap for researchers and engineers aiming to translate 2D ferroelectric In-Se from laboratory curiosities to manufacturable devices. The analysis underscores the need for standardized metrology and accelerated lifetime testing to validate industrial viability.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4358-y
Oxygen electrocatalysis underpins the viability of proton-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers and rechargeable Zn–air batteries, yet commercial deployment remains constrained by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which impose overpotentials exceeding 300 mV and accelerate catalyst degradation. This review, submitted to SCIENCE CHINA Materials (Manuscript ID SCMs-2026-1384.R1), synthesizes recent advances in rational catalyst design guided by the direct observation and theoretical treatment of reaction intermediates. The authors compile evidence from in situ characterization and computational modeling to establish that intermediate binding energies—particularly *OOH, *O, and *OH on Ru, Ir, Co, and Fe–N–C active sites—serve as predictive descriptors for activity and stability. Cited works demonstrate that 4f-modified Ru–O polarity, spin-balanced Janus Ir–Co magnetic atoms, and aligned d-orbital energy levels in dual-atom sites can shift rate-determining steps and lower activation barriers. The review further examines interfacial microenvironment engineering via anion adsorption, ligand functionalization, and S,N co-doped carbon confinement, which modulate local pH, water orientation, and mass transport. Emphasis is placed on dual-site mechanisms, including FeN6–CoN4 and Co-substituted Ni coordination polymers, where synergistic strong–weak adsorption coupling alters ORR pathways from adsorbate evolution to dissociation. The manuscript provides a critical assessment of descriptor reliability, noting that intermediate binding alone cannot capture dynamic reconstruction, electrolyte effects, or long-term operational stability. By integrating in situ spectroscopy with descriptor-based design, the review offers a framework for translating mechanistic insight into durable, cost-effective oxygen electrocatalysts for industrial electrolysis and metal–air batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4498-7
Two-dimensional porphyrin-based hypercrosslinked polymers (TPP-HCPs) were synthesized via room-temperature interfacial polymerization using 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin and 1,3,5-trioxane. The resulting TPP-HCPs exhibited a BET surface area of 548 m2 g-1 and a CO2 uptake of 7.97 wt% at 1 bar and 298 K. CuO/TPP-HCPs nanospheres were fabricated by thermal conversion of Cu(NO3)2·3H2O in DMF at 135 °C, using TPP-HCPs as dynamic templates. This in-situ strategy generated CuO nanoparticles within the conjugated porous matrix, facilitating electron transfer and enhancing CO2 access to catalytic centers. In CO2 electroreduction, the composite achieved a total gas Faradaic efficiency exceeding 90% at ~500 mA cm-2 (-1.4 V vs. RHE), with 40.9% for C2H4, 8.2% for CH4, 31.9% for CO, and 12.3% for H2. The catalyst maintained stability over 24 h in an H-cell. These results demonstrate that 2D conjugated polymer-templated catalysts can sustain high-rate CO2 conversion to value-added products, offering a viable route for industrial CO2 utilization.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4351-8
Breaking intrinsic structural symmetry is a fundamental prerequisite for pronounced nonlinear optical responses. Low-symmetry semiconductors with inherent anisotropy enable self-powered optoelectronic conversion and polarization-sensitive functionalities. This work reports the synthesis of low-dimensional van der Waals chain TeSe2 crystals with intrinsic inversion and C3 symmetry breaking. Angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy and second-harmonic generation measurements confirm crystalline anisotropy and nonlinear optical performance. Electrical transport studies reveal p-type conduction with a room-temperature field-effect mobility of 122 cm2 V-1 s-1. The TeSe2 photodetector achieves self-powered detection and linearly polarized light detection across 405–1064 nm, with a photoresponsivity of 77.3 mA/W at 532 nm. The linear photogalvanic effect response is effectively modulated by gate voltage. Density functional theory calculations attribute p-type doping to Te and Se vacancies, while the nonlinear optical origin is linked to strong Berry curvature. Applications in polarization encoding communication and polarization imaging are demonstrated, indicating potential for low-energy-consuming, highly sensitive, on-chip integrated linear polarized photodetectors.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4480-1
Ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) incorporating a structurally compatible guest acceptor (C7-Cl) into the PM6:BTP-eC9 host system are demonstrated. The low Flory-Huggins interaction parameter between host and guest acceptors facilitates intimate mixing, optimizing molecular packing and energy-level alignment. High-sensitivity sEQE and EQEEL analyses reveal a reduced non-radiative energy loss (KE3) of 0.216 eV in the ternary device. Consequently, the optimized ternary OSC achieves a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.02% and an improved T80 operational lifetime of 1065 h. This work establishes a feasible strategy via structurally compatible guest doping to simultaneously optimize vertical phase separation and suppress non-radiative loss, providing a facile and effective route toward high-performance and stable OSCs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4494-9
Superionic conductors exhibit high cation mobility arising from weak binding and continuous transport pathways, atomistically characterized by extensive structural disorder and partial occupancy akin to amorphization. This disorder, whether confined to a cation sublattice or extended to full amorphization, strongly impedes lattice thermal transport, rendering these materials intrinsically ideal thermal insulators. This work investigates Ag26I18W4O16, a superionic conductor tunable from fully amorphous to single-crystalline states, as a model system to probe the impact of disorder and amorphization on thermal transport. Extensive Ag+ disorder, in both crystalline and amorphous phases, reduces thermal conductivity to approximately the theoretical lower bound of 0.16 W/m-K with virtually no temperature dependence, while concurrently achieving the lowest mean sound velocity ever recorded for a dense solid. Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of synchrotron X-ray total scattering data indicates that short-range disorder (< 5 Å), rather than long-range periodicity, governs thermal insulation performance in both phases. These findings suggest a design strategy reconciling structural stability with glass-like thermal insulation.
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/s40843-026-4404-7
Electrochemical propylene epoxidation offers a sustainable route to propylene oxide (PO), but achieving high selectivity and stability under industrial current densities remains challenging. Herein, we report a high entropy amorphous CoFeNiCrMnBOx borate loaded with high valence Pt single atoms catalyst (a-Pt-HEBO) for stable bromine radical-mediated propylene epoxidation reaction (BrPOR). The high-entropy amorphous structure reshapes the interfacial hydrogen-bonding network and enriches free water, substantially lowering the energy barrier for water dissociation. Meanwhile, the strong electronic interactions between the coordinatively unsaturated, high-valence single Pt atoms and the substrate effectively prevent transition metal dissolution at high anodic potentials. The catalyst achieved 82.1% Faraday efficiency of PO at an industrial grade current density of 100 mA cm-2, and demonstrated excellent industrial application stability in up to 500 h of continuous test and within a scaled-up electrolyzer (4 × 4 cm2). This work provides a design for high-entropy catalysts in halogen-mediated electrosynthesis and a viable pathway toward carbon-neutral PO production.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4283-0
Smart windows are critical for building energy conservation, yet existing technologies cannot simultaneously satisfy the diverse requirements of light transmission, thermal insulation, and privacy protection across varying scenarios, such as daytime transparency and nighttime heat retention with opacity. Herein, we report a thermo- and electro-responsive ionogel fabricated via one-step photopolymerization, integrating the electrochromic viologen derivative (Pa-PhV)(TFSI)2 with a thermoresponsive matrix. The (Pa-PhV)(TFSI)2 delivers excellent electrochromic performance, featuring dual-band light modulation, a high coloration efficiency of 433.6 cm2 C-1, and a fast coloration time of 2.52 s. The ionogel exhibits three stable switchable states under thermal and electrical regulation, fulfilling core practical demands for full-spectrum photothermal management. Model house tests verify its excellent seasonal adaptability, with a maximum indoor temperature reduction of up to 15 °C in a simulated summer environment. Furthermore, the ionogel enables dual-encrypted data storage via UCST and voltage triggering. This work broadens the application scope of viologen derivatives and offers a competitive strategy for multifunctional smart windows and encrypted data storage.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4495-3
Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) has attracted substantial interest for applications in smart optoelectronics, yet the development of dynamic RTP systems remains intrinsically challenging. Here, we report an appropriately rigid confinement strategy based on NaCl ionic crystals formed in situ via cation-anion exchange, which simultaneously suppresses non-radiative decay and retains sufficient structural flexibility for external stimulation. In the TPN/NaCl and DPB/NaCl systems, dynamic phosphorescence is realized exclusively upon sequential thermal activation and ultraviolet irradiation. Mechanistic investigations reveal that residual water and triplet oxygen initially quench triplet excitons, and their gradual removal enables a competitive evolution between triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) and phosphorescence pathways. This work establishes a general design principle for constructing stimulus-responsive dynamic RTP systems and resolves the long-standing conflict between rigidity and responsiveness in organic phosphorescent materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4299-9
A dual-doping strategy incorporating boron (B) and sulfur (S) into graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was employed to engineer band structures and construct an S-scheme homojunction (BSCN) for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution. The BSCN catalyst exhibited an interwoven architecture of porous nanotubes and nanosheets, providing a large specific surface area and abundant active sites. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed an S-scheme charge transfer mechanism at the BCN/SCN interface, driven by a built-in electric field that facilitates efficient spatial separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Photoelectrochemical measurements confirmed improved light harvesting and charge separation. DFT simulations indicated near-thermoneutral hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔGH* = 0.12 eV) at S-doped sites, favorable for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics. The optimized BSCN achieved an exceptional H2 evolution rate of 14.409 mmol g−1 h−1, approximately 75-fold and 3.4-fold higher than pristine BCN and SCN, respectively. This work establishes a rational doping-mediated approach for designing high-efficiency g-C3N4 homojunctions and provides mechanistic insights into S-scheme charge transfer for solar-driven H2 production.
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/s40843-026-4273-3
Freestanding membranes have driven a profound evolution of strain engineering by fundamentally overcoming the substrate clamping effect. This structural degree of freedom enables the introduction of spatially complex, reversible, and giant strain fields into the membranes via mechanical manipulations such as stretching, bending, and interfacial twisting, ultimately facilitating the modulation of diverse physical properties. This review systematically discusses recent experimental and theoretical advances in the field, highlighting the modulation of physical properties via uniaxial/biaxial strain, strain gradients, and oxide twist. These mechanical strain strategies substantially broaden the range of achievable material properties, furthermore provide fundamentally new pathways for realizing unconventional mechanical behaviors, inducing emergent polar topological structures, and exploring correlated electronic states. Finally, this review summarizes current methodologies for implementing emergent strain engineering of oxide membranes, delves into the profound impacts of spatially complex strain on the fundamental physical properties of freestanding oxides, and offers a forward-looking perspective on the tremendous opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4240-7
The electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) is pivotal for sustainable energy conversion and storage, enabling direct ammonia fuel cells (DAFCs), ammonia electrolysis, and solid oxide fuel cells. This review critically examines recent advances in AOR catalysis, emphasizing active-site regulation, interfacial engineering, and device-oriented catalyst development. For noble-metal catalysts, optimizing adsorption and dehydrogenation of NHx intermediates while mitigating poisoning is essential for sustained activity. Non-noble-metal systems, particularly Ni-based catalysts, require precise control of reconstructed working-state phases such as NiOOH-like species to balance activity and selectivity. Interfacial engineering, including heterointerfaces, defect structures, and doped coordination environments, strongly influences the competition between AOR and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), as well as product branching toward N2 or oxygenated nitrogen species. The review underscores that catalyst optimization now extends beyond bulk composition to the precise regulation of the interfacial reaction microenvironment. Furthermore, practical device operation is governed by membrane/electrolyte compatibility, mass transport, ammonia crossover, thermal management, and long-term durability. Bridging fundamental catalyst studies with deployable ammonia energy technologies requires coordinated optimization from active materials to electrode architectures and full-device systems. This review provides a comprehensive framework for designing next-generation AOR catalysts and accelerating their integration into industrial energy systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4260-5
Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are recognized as a leading candidate for next-generation energy storage due to their high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mAh g⁻¹). However, the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) severely limits cycle life and energy efficiency. Here, we report a multi-interface engineering strategy employing a MnO₂-TiO₂@Ti₃C₂ MXene (MT@MX) heterojunction, synthesized via a facile redox reaction between MXene and KMnO₄, to modulate bidirectional polysulfide conversion. The 2D structure with high conductivity and abundant heterogeneous interfaces facilitates fast ion/electron transfer, reduces reaction energy barriers, and enhances adsorption via d-band center effects. The stepped built-in electric field (BIEF) in MT@MX lowers the migration energy barrier of LiPSs from catalytic MXene to TiO₂ and then to adsorptive MnO₂, enabling reversible migration across multi-interfaces. Optimized heterointerfaces synergistically integrate adsorption, diffusion, and catalytic conversion, yielding excellent cycling stability even at a high sulfur loading of 6.4 mg cm⁻². This work demonstrates that constructing heterojunctions with stepped BIEF offers a feasible approach to modulate interfacial diffusion and provides a new design strategy for high-performance LSB electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4339-7
Neuromorphic computing demands energy-efficient synaptic devices that emulate biological plasticity. Optoelectronic memristors based on colloidal quantum dots (QDs) offer tunable bandgaps and solution processability, yet suffer from defect-mediated nonradiative recombination and instability. Here, we report ZnS-passivated CdZnSe core/shell QDs as the active layer in memristive devices, achieving enhanced synaptic emulation and information encryption. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) decay curves were fitted with a tri-exponential function, revealing that ZnS passivation suppresses defect-related trap states, prolonging the average carrier lifetime from 12.3 ns (CdZnSe) to 28.7 ns (CdZnSe/ZnS). The intensity proportion of the fast decay component (τ1 ≈ 1.2 ns) decreased from 45% to 18%, indicating reduced surface trapping. Devices incorporating CdZnSe/ZnS QDs exhibit stable bipolar resistive switching with an ON/OFF ratio exceeding 10^3, endurance of >10^3 cycles, and retention of >10^4 s. Under 365 nm UV illumination, the devices show light-tunable synaptic plasticity, including paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) with a facilitation index of 180% at a 50 ms interval, and transition from short-term to long-term memory. The memristors successfully emulate essential synaptic functions and are employed in a simple encryption scheme, demonstrating the potential of defect-passivated QDs for secure neuromorphic hardware.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4205-8
The global energy crisis and environmental pollution necessitate efficient recovery and utilization of thermal energy resources such as industrial waste heat. Thermoelectric materials, enabling direct conversion between thermal and electrical energy, offer broad application prospects in waste heat power generation and chip cooling. The energy conversion efficiency is determined by the dimensionless figure of merit, ZT = (S^2σ/κ)T, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ is the electrical conductivity, κ is the thermal conductivity, and T is the absolute temperature. Ideal thermoelectric materials require both a high power factor (PF = S^2σ) and low thermal conductivity. However, the strong coupling between electrical and thermal transport parameters makes synergistic optimization challenging. Over the past two decades, strategies such as band engineering, nanostructuring, liquid-like ions, interstitial atoms, phonon softening, and defect engineering have been explored. Among these, entropy engineering has emerged as a novel strategy that achieves synergistic optimization by introducing multiple components to increase configurational entropy. High entropy materials, originating from alloys, are defined as multi-principal element systems with five or more elements in near-equiatomic ratios forming single-phase solid solutions. The molar configurational entropy ΔS_conf = R∑x_i ln x_i, with materials classified as high entropy (ΔS_conf > 1.5R), medium entropy (1R < ΔS_conf < 1.5R), or low entropy (ΔS_conf < 1R). Four core effects are summarized: high entropy effect, lattice distortion effect, sluggish diffusion effect, and cocktail effect. Research has expanded from alloys to oxides, chalcogenides, and half-Heusler compounds. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which lattice distortion in high entropy materials affects electrical and thermal transport, and discusses optimization strategies for thermoelectric performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4315-2
High-temperature X-ray imaging demands scintillators with high crystallinity, efficient scintillation, and robust thermal stability, yet suitable materials remain scarce. Here, we report an ultra-high-crystallinity transparent glass-ceramic (GC) scintillator strategically designed via controllable heat-treatment-induced crystallization. A sequential precipitation method is employed, where cubic CaF2 nanocrystals initially form, subsequently promoting heterogeneous nucleation and growth of hexagonal BaAl2Si2O8. Intrinsic nanoscale phase separation into F-rich and O-rich domains significantly reduces atomic diffusion distances, yielding an unprecedented crystallinity of up to 97.6%. Notably, defect traps (oxygen vacancy defects, likely located within the lattice or at crystalline/amorphous interfaces) enable efficient carrier capture and thermally stimulated release, contributing to remarkable resistance to thermal quenching. Consequently, the GC scintillator maintains 90.6% of its integrated X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) intensity at 300 °C, with the integrated XEL intensity reaching 94.2% of commercial Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) at room temperature. This enables stable high-temperature X-ray imaging with a spatial resolution of ~10.4 lp mm−1 up to 225 °C. This work provides a versatile pathway for developing high-sensitivity scintillators for extreme-environment X-ray imaging.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4180-9
Developing highly active and stable electrocatalysts based on the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) represents a significant challenge in water splitting. Herein, we successfully introduce oxygen vacancies (Ov) into high-entropy MnFeCoNiCu layered double hydroxides (HE-LDHs) via a solution chemical reduction method utilizing a defect engineering strategy. By precisely tuning the concentration of oxygen vacancies, we effectively activate the lattice oxygen within the HE-LDHs. The optimized Ov-rich high-entropy LDHs (Ov-HE-LDHs) exhibit excellent OER catalytic performance, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a remarkably low overpotential of only 210 mV in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte, which is substantially superior to pristine HE-LDHs (315 mV) and commercial IrO2 (330 mV). Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates outstanding long-term stability, capable of stable operation for 500 h at a high current density of approximately 200 mA cm−2. Advanced X-ray absorption fine structure analysis elucidates the lower metal valence states, indicating the existence of oxygen vacancies, while isotope labeling experiments and in-situ electrochemical Raman spectroscopy strongly confirm the successful activation of the LOM pathway. Density functional theory calculations further validate that the shift in the OER mechanism towards LOM and the resulting reduction in the reaction energy barrier are the fundamental reasons for the catalyst’s enhanced intrinsic activity. This work proposes a novel strategy for activating lattice oxygen in high-entropy LDHs through defect engineering, offering new insights and experimental guidance for the design and development of highly efficient and stable high-entropy OER electrocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4237-x
Silicon-based (Si-based) anodes are core candidates for next-generation high-energy solid-state batteries (SSBs) due to their high theoretical capacity (~4200 mAh g−1). However, their practical application is constrained by the 'size effect', which influences mechanical integrity and electrochemical performance. This review systematically examines the failure mechanisms of nano-silicon (nSi) and micro-silicon (mSi) anodes when paired with sulfide and organic-inorganic composite solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Key functional parameters of these SSEs are discussed, along with strategies to mitigate interfacial impedance and accommodate volume changes. Recent progress in structural and interface modifications is highlighted, including the use of hard-carbon-stabilized Li–Si anodes (achieving stable cycling) and pressure-free operation. The review identifies core challenges, such as achieving intimate solid–solid contact and managing mechanical stress, and outlines future directions for 'size effect' regulation to accelerate commercialization of high-energy Si-based SSBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4317-4
This correction addresses an image assembly error identified in Fig. 7a of the original article published in Science China Materials, volume 66, issue 6, 2023, pages 2513–2522. The error was confined to the assembly of images in Fig. 7a, which presents H&E staining analysis of major organs from a toxicity study. The corrected version of Fig. 7 is provided in this corrigendum. The original study evaluated the toxicity of lyophilized cabazitaxel (CTX) and Tween 80-based CTX formulations in CD-1 mice following a single intravenous administration of 30 mg kg−1 CTX via the tail vein on day 0, with sacrifice on day 14 for analysis (n=5). The figure includes H&E staining of major organs, complete blood count (CBC) analysis with statistical significance indicated by *p < 0.05, and mouse weight measurements. The correction does not affect the overall results, data interpretation, or scientific conclusions of the original article. All authors have reviewed and approved the content of this corrigendum. The authors sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to the editorial office, reviewers, and readers. The article was received on 6 May 2026, accepted on 4 June 2026, and published online on 31 July 2026.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4200-0
Self-powered broadband photodetectors are pivotal for next-generation intelligent healthcare. Solution-processed mercury sulfide (HgS) is an attractive near-infrared absorber but is limited by interfacial instability, high defects, and sluggish response. Inspired by sulfur-mediated adhesion in Alhagi sparsifolia, a bioinspired interfacial engineering strategy employs an antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) interlayer to construct a bidirectional chemical bonding network. The Sb2S3 interlayer simultaneously forms Sb–O bonds with fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates and Sb–S/Hg–S bonds with the HgS layer, thereby reinforcing interfacial adhesion, passivating coordination-unsaturated defect states, and establishing a type-II heterojunction with a strong built-in electric field. The resulting Sb2S3/HgS photodetector exhibits self-powered operation, broadband sensitivity spanning the visible to near-infrared region (642–1550 nm), an ultrafast response time of 2.47 ms, a detectivity up to 1.7 × 10^11 Jones, and retaining nearly constant photocurrent over 5000 continuous on-off switching cycles as well as prolonged air exposure. Beyond device-level performance, we demonstrate its utility in intelligent healthcare scenarios, including machine-learning-assisted liquid drug identification, binary-coded optical wireless communication, and high-fidelity photoplethysmography monitoring. This work establishes biomimetic bidirectional bonding as a generalizable paradigm for stabilizing solution-processed chalcogenide optoelectronics and accelerates the integration of self-powered broadband photodetectors into intelligent healthcare systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4232-1
Polyanionic cathode materials are widely considered as potential cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries due to their strong three-dimensional framework and intrinsic thermal safety. Nevertheless, the limitation of the specific capacity and energy density hindered their application, which can be ascribed to the common reliance of single-electron redox reaction of the transition metal. By realizing the reversible double redox reaction of vanadium-based and manganese-based polyanion cathodes, researchers have successfully opened up a new way to break through the long-term performance limitations. Recent studies disclose that vanadium and manganese-based polyanionic cathodes exhibit the possibility of realizing a reversible double-redox reaction, which opened up new avenues to overcome the capacity dilemma. However, many fundamental issues remain unclear, including insufficient structural stability at high operating voltages, irreversible structural evolution induced by sodium extraction, sluggish electronic and ionic transport kinetics, and Jahn–Teller distortion. Therefore, it is imperative to summarize recent work in order to clarify the pathway for future investigation. In this review, the key challenges associated with the activation of the double-redox reaction are outlined, followed by the realization and regulation of the double-redox reaction in polyanionic cathode materials. A systematic summary of recent studies is performed for both vanadium and manganese-based compounds, which could contribute to the fundamental understanding of the double-redox reaction mechanism. Combined with the modification strategy and future perspective, this review provides insights into the rational design of polyanionic cathodes with a reversible double-redox reaction. It also offers insights into the development of high-energy-density cathode materials for next-generation sodium-ion batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4114-5
The precise and controllable synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures, coupled with the manipulation of their atomic and electronic configurations, is of paramount significance. However, due to the synthetic challenges associated with graphyne (GY) materials, their integration into 1D/2D heterostructures remains considerably difficult. Herein, we demonstrate a post-synthetic intercalation strategy for tellurium onto Ag(111), enabling the controllable fabrication of 1D-GY-nanowire/2D-AgTe-monolayers heterostructures. Scanning-probe microscopies are employed to characterize morphological evolution during the intercalation process. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy results confirm that AgTe monolayer intercalation induces interfacial decoupling of the graphyne nanowires. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that work function-driven Fermi level modulation via interfacial charge engineering assigns the 1D-GY-nanowire/2D-AgTe-monolayers heterostructures as type-I heterostructures. Our work not only significantly advances the fundamental understanding of interfacial interactions in 1D/2D heterostructures but also presents a scalable strategy for designing heterostructures with tailored electronic functionalities, thereby opening new avenues for applications in advanced nanoelectronics and optoelectronic devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4258-0
High-entropy noble-metal-based catalysts (HENCs) have emerged as a frontier in electrocatalysis, leveraging the synergistic effects of high-entropy alloys and noble metals to achieve exceptional atomic utilization, tunable electronic structures, and vast compositional space. Their anisotropic architectures confer superior dissolution resistance, rapid electron/mass transfer, and abundant active sites. This review systematically categorizes advanced structural regulations—grain boundary engineering, single-atom alloys, intermetallic compounds, amorphous structures, and core@shell configurations—and evaluates their impact on electrocatalytic performance. By modulating surface electronic states and lattice strain, these strategies optimize reaction kinetics and durability. Notable applications include oxygen reduction (ORR), oxygen evolution (OER), hydrogen evolution (HER), and CO2 reduction (CO2RR). Despite progress, challenges persist in scalable synthesis, mechanistic understanding, and long-term stability. This review underscores the potential of HENCs to bridge laboratory innovation and industrial deployment, providing a roadmap for future catalyst design.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4217-y
Rational design and construction of effective photocatalysts is a promising way for green and sustainable chemistry, but still a great challenge. Herein, taking triphenylamine-containing aldehydes as reactants, two covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), tris(4-formylphenyl)amine (TPA)-CTF and tris(4-formylbiphenyl)amine (TBPA)-CTF, were rationally constructed. The strong electron donor property of the triphenylamine moieties derived from the initial reactants and the strong electron acceptor nature of the in-situ formed built-in triazine rings in CTFs endowed these robust triphenylamine-based CTFs with donor-acceptor (D-A) or donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) structure features. Photocatalytic experiments revealed that, compared with the controlled phenyl analogue CTF, 1,3,5-tri(p-formylphenyl)benzene (TFPB)-CTF, both of the triphenylamine-based CTFs exhibited superior photocatalytic activity not only in photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide generation, but also in photocatalytic aerobic oxidations of diverse organic substrates. Theoretical studies further confirmed that their enhanced photocatalytic performance should be attributed to their unique D-A or D-π-A features in the constructed triphenylamine-based CTFs. This work successfully demonstrated that rational selection of reactants containing electron donor moieties to construct CTFs should be a reliable way for the construction of effective photocatalysts for photocatalytic oxidation reactions.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3583-6
Water scarcity and the increasing demand for clean water have driven the development of efficient solar desalination technologies. Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) is promising, yet its practical deployment is hindered by insufficient light harvesting and salt crystallization on photothermal surfaces. Here, we report a Janus hydrogel evaporator in which tubular Co9S8 nanocrystals are uniformly embedded in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix with a concave pyramid pattern, creating a broadband light-trapping architecture (200–2500 nm) with 96% solar absorption. The top surface is further coated with hydrophobic zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), while the bottom retains intrinsic hydrogel hydrophilicity, establishing asymmetric wettability that sustains rapid water supply yet suppresses salt deposition. Under one-sun illumination (1 kW m−2), the Janus evaporator achieves an evaporation rate of 2.69 kg m−2 h−1 and a solar-to-vapor efficiency of 98.15%. Continuous operation in 3.5 wt% brine shows stable performance for 11 h without observable salt crystallization. This work offers an effective, durable pathway toward high-performance solar desalination and wastewater purification.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3841-6
Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes are pivotal candidates for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high capacity and energy density. However, their susceptibility to structural deterioration and interfacial degradation during cycling causes substantial capacity fade, hindering commercialization. This work proposes a synergistic strategy of lattice doping and in situ surface coating to enhance structural integrity and interfacial stability of LiNi0.9Co0.05Mn0.05O2. La and Y dopants act as pillars to reinforce the layered structure, mitigating volume changes and expanding c-axis spacing to facilitate Li+ diffusion. Concurrently, La4NiLiO8 and LiYO2 coatings protect the cathode from H2O/CO2 corrosion and electrolyte attack, while their high lithium-ion conductivity promotes Li+ transport. The modified cathode delivers exceptional electrochemical metrics: high specific capacity of 207.3 mA h g−1, remarkable cycling stability with 97.6% retention after 100 cycles, superior rate capability of 152.1 mA h g−1 at 10.0 C, and enhanced thermal stability. This work establishes a paradigm for multi-dimensional stabilization of Ni-rich cathodes via synergistic bulk and interface engineering, providing insights for designing high-performance energy storage systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3539-5
MXene-based layered films are promising for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, yet achieving highly ordered structures in scalable production remains challenging. Here, we report a facile centrifugal casting method for fabricating MXene/polyvinyl alcohol (MXene/PVA) films with highly oriented and compact layered structures. During centrifugal casting, the viscous fluid experiences strong shear and centrifugal forces along tangential and normal directions, respectively, inducing compact and oriented arrangement of MXene nanosheets. Consequently, the Herman's orientation factor increases from 0.681 to 0.794 as rotation rate rises from 0 to 4000 r/min. Accordingly, tensile strength and toughness improve from 55.2 to 191.1 MPa and from ~0.8 to 2.5 MJ/m³, respectively. The highly oriented and compact layered structure with ultrathin thickness (~8 μm) enables a high absolute electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SSE/t) of 21029 dB cm²/g. Moreover, increased orientation reduces infrared emissivity to 0.248, endowing the film with excellent thermal camouflage capability. This work presents an effective strategy for constructing high-performance MXene-based layered films.
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/s40843-025-3712-2
Electrochemical potential and ion diffusion of electrode materials restrain the energy and power densities of lithium-ion batteries, and these challenges also remain in the intercalation-type Li3VO4 (LVO). In this work, the local [VO4] coordination symmetry in LVO is broken by a higher concentration of oxygen vacancies (Vö), resulting in an increased average V–O bond length and a larger ligand field splitting. These alterations reduce the energy level of the lowest unoccupied orbitals (e*) and lift the electrochemical potential, resulting in a higher voltage output. Additionally, the broken local symmetry in Vö-LVO is found to reduce the band gap and expand the ion transport channels, which favors enhancing electronic conductivity and facilitates ion diffusion, thereby improving the electrochemical kinetics in the energy storage process. The local symmetry broken sample (Vö-LVO) achieves a significantly improved capacity of 532 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g in comparison with 394 mAh/g of pristine LVO, and long cycling stability with retained capacity of 398 mAh/g at 1 A/g over 500 cycles compared with 236 mAh/g of the pristine LVO. The fundamental understanding paves the way to exploit high-performance electrodes via ligand field engineering for next-generation rechargeable batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3672-8
Pore-tuning engineering is an effective strategy for designing catalysts for energy storage and conversion. Here, we report a rhombic dodecahedral iron and nitrogen co-doped carbon (Fe-N-C) material with hierarchical micro-mesoporous structures, synthesized using mesoporous silica as both pore template and iron source. The resulting catalyst (m-Fe/NC) exhibits significantly enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, with half-wave potentials of 0.81 V and 0.88 V in acidic and alkaline media, respectively. When employed as a cathode in zinc-air batteries, m-Fe/NC delivers a superior specific capacity of 815 mAh g_Zn^-1 and a stable cell voltage of 1.31 V at a current density of 10 mA cm^-2. Advanced characterization and theoretical calculations reveal that the mesoporous structure not only increases active site exposure but also induces a curvature-induced strain effect on concave surfaces, which enhances intrinsic activity. This work provides insights for developing innovative nanoporous electrocatalysts.
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/s40843-025-3686-6
Fused silica (SiO2) exhibits exceptional thermal stability and dielectric properties, making it an attractive material for aerospace and military applications. However, its relatively poor mechanical performance has limited its widespread practical utilization. This study proposed an innovative approach to fabricate SiO2-hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) composite ceramics via spark plasma sintering (SPS), leveraging the high-temperature phase transformation of cubic boron nitride (cBN) to introduce randomly oriented hBN as a reinforcing phase within the SiO2 matrix. The randomly oriented hBN nanoplates allow cracks to propagate along stronger grain boundaries, rather than along weaker interlayers of hBN, significantly improving the overall strength and fracture toughness of the composite. The maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness achieved are 183.4 MPa and 2.06 MPa m1/2 respectively, which are 3.6 times and 4 times that of fused SiO2. Concurrently, the composites exhibit low dielectric constants (ε = 3.58–3.69) and dielectric losses (tan δ < 0.0087) at 1 MHz. This work successfully enhanced the mechanical performance of fused SiO2 while preserving its excellent dielectric characteristics, opening new possibilities for its potential applications in advanced structural and functional fields.
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/s40843-025-3707-8
Wound infection is a major cause of death during the wound healing process. Improperly dressed wounds can lead to secondary injury, prolonging healing time and increasing infection risk. Here, we propose an antibacterial slippery dressing through molecular engineering of copper ions. The oil layer forms a barrier to reduce clot adhesion to the wound site and prevent environmental contamination. Single-cell level detection indicates that secreted copper ions induce bacterial death not only by disrupting membrane integrity but also by relying on the production of reactive oxygen species. Further membrane depolarization and adenosine triphosphate production blockage result in the aggregation of important proteins in various biological processes, such as metabolic homeostasis, ultimately leading to bacterial death. The animal model confirms that our dressing accelerates wound healing by promoting the growth of granulation tissue and collagen deposition. Our dressing demonstrates significant clinical implications for the design of next-generation therapeutic applications.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(25)61036-5
Large graphene oxide (LGO) sheets offer significant advantages over smaller ones in various applications, yet their production via Hummers-type oxidation of large natural graphite flakes remains challenging due to difficulties in achieving full oxidation and avoiding fragmentation. This study provides the first direct evidence that large graphite flakes (up to 1 mm) can be completely oxidized without fragmentation under static conditions, as revealed by in-situ monitoring. The oxidation process is governed by diffusion of the oxidizer between layers, described by Fick's law, where a high oxidizer concentration gradient increases the diffusion rate. By minimizing the amount of concentrated H2SO4 solvent, we achieved a semi-solid state that elevates oxidizer concentration, facilitating Mn(VII) diffusion and enabling complete oxidation of gram-scale large flakes with significantly reduced reagent consumption. Reaction temperature was optimized to balance graphite oxidation and Mn(VII) self-decomposition. Using this approach, 200-, 100-, and 50-mesh natural graphite were fully oxidized with reduced H2SO4 and KMnO4 usage. After exfoliation, LGO with average lateral sizes of 27.3, 58.7, and 116.2 μm were obtained, respectively, with 100% conversion and yield over 165%. This work not only provides a scalable, cost-effective strategy for LGO production but also advances the fundamental understanding of Hummers-type oxidation.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61072-4
Sodium-ion capacitors (SICs) typically feature a hybrid design, incorporating a battery-type anode that operates by faradaic redox reactions and an activated carbon cathode that functions through electrical double-layer (EDL) adsorption/desorption. However, the kinetics of faradaic processes are inherently slower than those of EDL processes, leading to a fundamental problem known as kinetic imbalance between the electrodes, which hinders the development of high-performance SICs. To address this, we synthesized composites of bismuth nanoparticles in N-doped carbon (Bi@NC) by a high-temperature sintering method. The resulting Bi@NC anode has a specific capacity of 300 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, an exceptional rate capability (maintaining performance at currents exceeding 75 A g−1), and outstanding cycling stability over 12,000 cycles. Three-electrode Swagelok cell tests revealed that this high-rate Bi@NC composite effectively decreases the kinetic gap with the activated carbon cathode, as shown by an analysis of their respective potential swing windows (vs. Na/Na+). This enables the fabricated SIC to achieve a maximum energy density of 115 Wh kg−1, a peak power density of 45,535 W kg−1, and a long cycle life exceeding 8,000 cycles.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(26)61067-0
The reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in wastewater faces challenges in conversion rate and stability. We used coal tar pitch-based activated carbon fibers (ACFs) as a support material for loading transition metal catalysts to catalyze the reaction. Fe–Ni nanoparticles were loaded onto the coal tar pitch-based ACF through a simple hydrothermal–calcination method. The results showed that the coal tar pitch-based ACFs had a high specific surface area (1847 m2/g) and a unique microporous structure, and the metals were loaded onto them. The average diameter of the nanoparticles formed was approximately 100 nm. By changing the metal loading it was shown that the performance was best when the reaction temperature was 45 °C, the 4-NP concentration was 2.5 mmol L−1, and the molar concentration ratio of Fe3+ to Ni2+ was 1∶2 (total 7.5 mmol L−1). Under these conditions the conversion efficiency reached 99.88%. Fe2.5/Ni5–ACF exhibited excellent catalytic activity and recyclability for 4-NP after five cycles. The inherent advantages of nanomaterials increase the catalytic efficiency of 4-NP, which expands the use of coal tar pitch-based ACFs as supporting materials in the field of catalysis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3697-8
Multi-site coupling is a promising strategy for developing highly efficient and CO-resistant hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, designing multifunctional synergistic schemes for single-atom sites remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a dual-template-confined oxophilic engineering strategy to construct well-dispersed iridium-nickel (IrNi) atomic dimers adjacent to IrNi nanoclusters on porous nitrogen-doped carbon (IrNi Dimer/NC1.8-PNC). The paired IrNi dimer features an asymmetric Ir-N3 configuration coordinated with heteroatomic Ni-N3O via an N-bridge. Remarkably, IrNi Dimer/NC1.8-PNC exhibits a ~23-fold enhancement in mass activity (4.36 A mg−1 Ir at 20 mV) and 5-fold longer stability compared to benchmarking Pt/C toward HOR, while achieving a high rated power density of 1.18 W cm−2 in PEMFC anode applications. Furthermore, IrNi Dimer/NC1.8-PNC demonstrates superior CO tolerance over monometallic Ir and Pt/C in both half-cell and full-cell devices. Combined experimental and density functional theory studies reveal that oxophilic Ni modulates the electronic environment of Ir through alloying and dimer interactions, thereby enhancing HOR activity. Importantly, the asymmetric IrNi dimer enables efficient CO* and OH* co-adsorption while facilitating CO2* desorption, synergistically mitigating CO poisoning and improving atom utilization efficiency. This work provides a design strategy and fundamental insights for multi-site synergistic catalysts in PEMFC anodes.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3710-y
Layered transition metal oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) suffer from Jahn–Teller distortion of MnO6, Na+/vacancy ordering, and irreversible lattice oxygen loss, causing capacity fading and voltage decay. Here, we report a P2-type material, Na0.67Ni0.3Mn0.6Li0.09Sn0.01O2 (NNMO-Li0.09Sn0.01), co-doped with closed-shell Li+ and Sn4+ ions. Li+ increases the Mn4+/Mn3+ ratio, mitigating Jahn–Teller distortion, and disrupts Ni/Mn ordering, suppressing Na+/vacancy ordering. Sn4+ forms stronger Sn–O bonds (548 kJ mol−1), enhancing bonding between transition metal ions and oxygen, reducing oxygen loss. NNMO-Li0.09Sn0.01 delivers a specific capacity of 90.3 mAh g−1 with 62.9% capacity retention after 50 cycles at 0.1 C (1 C = 200 mA g−1), and 90.3% voltage retention. This closed-shell substitution strategy offers a viable approach for enhancing structural stability of wide-voltage layered oxide cathodes.
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/s40843-025-3788-9
Fabrication of large-area perovskite solar modules under ambient air conditions remains a critical challenge due to air sensitivity of perovskite intermediate phases during crystallization. Here, we introduce 2-iodoimidazole (IIZ) into the perovskite precursor, enabling the formation of an air-stable pure δ-phase intermediate, which, upon annealing, fully transforms into a highly oriented α-phase perovskite film with reduced defects and variability. Leveraging this approach, we achieve a stabilized power conversion efficiency of 20.9% for 927.5 cm2 perovskite solar modules with high reproducibility. The encapsulated modules meet stringent international photovoltaic testing standards (IEC61215:2021), demonstrating excellent stability under continuous operation, thermal cycling (−40 to 85 °C) and damp heat (85 °C and 85% relative humidity).
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3805-1
The sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER) at the air electrode impede the practical deployment of fiber zinc-air batteries (FZABs) for wearable electronics. Conventional bifunctional catalysts suffer from an inherent activity trade-off due to the distinct mechanisms of ORR and OER. Here, we propose a spatial decoupling strategy to overcome this limitation by engineering isolated Fe single atoms and Fe–Ir dual-atom pairs on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (Fe/FeIr-NC). In this architecture, Fe single atoms serve as ORR centers, while Fe–Ir pairs with tunable spacing are tailored for OER, enabling complete functional separation and independent optimization. The catalyst exhibits an ORR half-wave potential of 0.91 V and an OER overpotential of 250 mV at 10 mA cm−2, yielding a record-low bifunctional gap (ΔE = 0.57 V) that outperforms all reported single- and dual-atom catalysts. A flexible fiber zinc-air battery based on this catalyst delivers a peak power density of 3920 W kg−1, along with a 1.4-fold increase in energy efficiency and a 2.6-fold extension in cycle life compared to the commercial Pt/C + IrO2 benchmark. This work not only breaks the traditional activity trade-off in bifunctional catalysis but also offers a promising route toward high-performance power sources for wearable electronics.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3815-0
The development of bifunctional electrocatalysts capable of integrating biomass-derived platform molecule oxidation with organic reduction offers a promising strategy for simultaneously enhancing energy efficiency and generating high-value chemicals. However, designing catalysts that exhibit both high activity and stability in integrated systems remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a self-supported electrode composed of nitrogen-doped carbonized wood (NCW) supported NiCo nanosheets (NiCo 0.3/NCW) that enables the electrocatalytic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and the nitrobenzene reduction to yield aniline in an integrated electrochemical cell. The NiCo 0.3/NCW electrode achieves the production of FDCA and aniline at a low cell voltage of 1.7 V, with ~99% anodic and ~92% cathodic Faradaic efficiencies, respectively. Experimental characterizations disclose that the hierarchical porous NCW architecture promotes the dispersion of active sites, while nitrogen doping strengthens metal–support interactions. In-situ spectroscopic experiments combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that cobalt incorporation tunes the electronic structure of nickel, thus optimizing substrate and intermediate adsorption, and lowering energy barriers. These effects ultimately enhance the performance of the natural wood-derived catalyst in integrated biomass valorization and selective organic electrosynthesis.
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/s40843-025-3777-0
Optically clear adhesives (OCAs) are critical for next-generation optoelectronic systems, yet their end-of-life management remains a sustainability challenge. Here, we report a debondable and robust polyurethane (PU)-based OCA that integrates both mechanical and chemical recyclability. The PU-based OCA exhibits high optical transparency (>90% transmittance from visible to near-infrared), strong adhesion to glass and polymeric substrates (bonding strength up to 5.0 MPa), and thermally sensitive H-bonding interactions that enable on-demand deadhesion at elevated temperatures. This capability facilitates non-destructive detachment of functional assemblies, promoting component reuse and material recycling. The adhesive demonstrates excellent mechanical properties, including ductility and strength, and outperforms several commercial optical adhesives in key performance metrics. Its straightforward synthesis and industrial scalability make it a promising solution for advancing circular economy principles in optoelectronic device manufacturing. The work addresses critical bottlenecks in balancing mechanical performance, adhesion/detachment, and recyclability, offering a transformative approach to sustainable advanced manufacturing.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3795-x
Two-dimensional MXene Ti3C2Tx demonstrates great promise in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, sulfur-terminated Ti3C2Tx (S-Ti3C2Tx) is developed by modifying Ti3C2Tx via a facile hydrothermal method using thioacetamide. As a perovskite additive, S-Ti3C2Tx outperforms pristine Ti3C2Tx by (1) significantly promoting grain growth, enhancing carrier mobility, and reducing defect density; (2) optimizing energy level alignment to lower interfacial energy barriers and minimize interface non-radiative recombination; (3) stabilizing uncoordinated Pb2+ and [PbI6]4− octahedra via Pb–S bonds while alleviating bulk lattice strain, as this Pb–S interaction exerts a “tape-like” effect. Based on this synergistic mechanism, PSCs with S-Ti3C2Tx achieve a champion efficiency of 25.51%—outperforming control (23.46%) and pristine Ti3C2Tx-based devices (24.54%)—with enhanced stability. This work highlights terminal group engineering as a critical strategy for advancing high-performance PSCs and their potential for emerging photovoltaic technologies.
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.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0025
Endogenous alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) in biomass ash and pyrolysis temperature significantly influence the properties of pyrolysis polygeneration products. This study selected potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+) as representative AAEMs, added them at mass ratios of 2%, 5%, and 7% to corn stover via impregnation, and conducted fixed-bed pyrolysis at 400, 500, and 600 °C to investigate the yields and compositions of gas, liquid, and solid products. Results showed that increasing metal ion concentration significantly increased biochar yield, with Ca2+ at 7% achieving 24.96% biochar yield, while bio-oil yield generally decreased. Ca2+ strongly promoted H2 formation due to its Lewis acidity, reaching 32.49% in gas at 7% concentration, and facilitated furan enrichment to 65.88%. K+ at low concentrations favored phenolic formation, while high concentrations promoted ketones and intensified bio-oil cracking. Increasing temperature from 400 to 600 °C decreased biochar yield and increased gas yield, with high temperatures enhancing secondary cracking and reforming, significantly raising H2 and CH4 yields while suppressing oxygenates. At 600 °C, K+ catalysis increased acids to 39.41%, while Ca2+ maintained furans at 65.89%. This study demonstrates that adjusting metal ion concentration and temperature enables directional regulation of high-value bio-oil components and high-energy gases, providing a theoretical basis for optimized biomass pyrolysis utilization.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60613-X
This study systematically optimized the preparation of Co-modified Ce/TiO2 catalysts and investigated the effects of preparation method and Co loading on their low-temperature denitrification activity. The sol-gel method with a Co/Ti mass ratio of 0.025 (Ce-Co0.025/TiO2-SG) yielded superior performance compared to impregnation and co-precipitation methods. The catalyst maintained NO conversion above 95% in the 225–350 °C range and exhibited high N2 selectivity. Characterization via BET, XRD, XPS, H2-TPR, and in situ DRIFTS revealed that the enhanced activity was attributed to abundant surface oxygen vacancies, a high proportion of Ce3+ species, and prominent acidic sites. The catalyst followed the Eley-Rideal mechanism, effectively inhibiting nitrate intermediate formation and promoting NO-to-NO2 oxidation. This work provides a reference for developing efficient low-temperature denitrification catalysts for industrial applications such as cement production, which emitted 722,000 tons of NOx in 2020, accounting for 17.3% of industrial emissions.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025111002
Epidemiological studies have established a significant association between exposure to environmental pollutants (EP) and the risk of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study integrates network toxicology and multi-omics analysis to elucidate the EP-LUAD molecular regulatory network and identify key regulatory genes, thereby revealing novel mechanisms of environmental carcinogenesis. Transcriptomic data from GEO and TCGA databases yielded 4,971 and 4,488 disease-related targets, respectively. Integration of toxicology databases (TargetNet, Swiss Target Prediction, CTD, SEA) identified 24,860 potential targets for eight common pollutants (SO2, NO, CO, NO2, O3, benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Intersection of these datasets produced 1,536 EP-LUAD common target genes. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified 247 core targets. Machine learning selected five key genes: AGER, CAV1, CD44, CEP55, and GNB3, which demonstrated robust diagnostic and prognostic efficacy. Their expression correlated with immune cell infiltration, including CD4+ memory T cells and macrophages. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed epithelial cell-specific expression patterns. Molecular docking confirmed stable pollutant-target binding, with PAH showing highest affinity for CD44 (binding energy −9.32 kcal·mol−1) and GNB3 (−8.32 kcal·mol−1). These findings establish AGER, CAV1, CD44, CEP55, and GNB3 as core molecular mediators of pollution-related LUAD. The high-affinity binding of PAH to CD44 and GNB3 underscores its carcinogenic potential. This study constructs a multi-level regulatory network for EP-LUAD, revealing underlying molecular mechanisms and providing novel potential targets and theoretical basis for early warning and intervention.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024112806
Microplastics (MPs) are persistent emerging contaminants ubiquitously distributed in soil-groundwater environments, where their aggregation and transport critically govern pollutant fate and ecological risks. Natural organic matter (NOM), a complex assemblage of organic compounds, interacts with MPs and porous media via hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, hydrophobic effects, and electrostatic binding, thereby modulating MP surface properties and environmental behavior. This review systematically synthesizes the mechanisms by which NOM influences MP aggregation and transport, with emphasis on the distinct roles of humic substances, proteins, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and their synergistic modulation with solution chemistry (pH, ionic strength, ion type). Additionally, NOM accelerates MP aging and alters surface characteristics, consequently impacting transport capacity. Current research limitations are identified, and future directions are proposed to inform MP pollution risk assessment and management strategies. Key findings indicate that NOM generally enhances MP stability and mobility at low ionic strengths, while high ionic strengths may induce aggregation depending on NOM type and ion valence. Humic substances predominantly increase electrostatic repulsion, whereas proteins and EPS can bridge particles, promoting aggregation. Aging processes, accelerated by NOM photochemical activity, increase surface oxygen functionality and hydrophilicity, further altering transport. The review underscores the need for systematic studies under environmentally relevant conditions to predict MP fate accurately.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024121101
The excessive and uncontrolled use of antibiotics inevitably leads to their release into natural environments, accelerating the production, occurrence, and transport of resistant bacteria and resistance genes. Among these, antibiotic resistance plasmids (ARPs) pose a significant public health challenge due to their environmental persistence and ability to spread and amplify within microbial communities. This study used the tetC gene-pUC18 plasmid as a model ARP to investigate aggregation behavior in aqueous environments under varying pH (3–7), ionic strength (0.001–0.1 mol·L−1 NaCl and 0.001–0.05 mol·L−1 CaCl2), and in the presence of different concentrations of natural colloids. Results indicate that at low pH, ARP structure condenses inward and functional groups may protonate, reducing negative charge and overall size. Compared to Na+, Ca2+ forms cationic bridges between negatively charged phosphate diester groups, significantly enhancing aggregation. Natural colloids induce heteroaggregation with ARPs, with aggregate size increasing with colloid concentration. This study provides scientific evidence for elucidating ARP behavior in soil and groundwater, crucial for assessing risks to human health and ecosystems and understanding global circulation mechanisms.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025062404
To investigate the pollution characteristics and temporal variations of water-soluble ions in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during autumn and winter in Taiyuan City, continuous sampling and analysis were conducted using a Swiss Metrohm ion chromatograph in autumn and winter 2023. The results show that the daily mean concentration of nine water-soluble ions was 26.04 μg m−3, accounting for 52.1% of the average PM2.5 mass concentration. Ion concentrations ranked in descending order: NO3−, NH4+, SO42−, Cl−, K+, Na+, Ca2+, F−, and Mg2+. Secondary inorganic ions (SNA) constituted 87.6% of total water-soluble ions. The mass ratio of NO3− to SO42− reached 1.83, indicating a shift from sulfate-dominated to nitrate-dominated aerosol chemistry. During pollution episodes, water-soluble ion concentrations increased exponentially, with distinct ion-specific trends: on moderately polluted days, SO42− increased to 5.31 times that on clean days, whereas on heavily polluted days, NO3− increased to 5.37 times, highlighting nitrate as a primary driver of severe pollution. Comparison with historical data reveals a recent increase in the proportion of water-soluble ions in PM2.5, with higher proportions during more polluted periods. Analysis of NH4+ forms and PM2.5 acidity suggests that acidic components contribute more under heavier pollution. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) identified four major sources: secondary sources, combustion and motor vehicles, industrial sources, and dust. The secondary source contributions were 45.4%, 64.7%, and 63.4% on clean, lightly polluted, and moderate-to-heavy polluted days, respectively, indicating a significantly higher secondary contribution on polluted days.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202604010
Guar gum production wastewater contains 1,2-propanediol, which in conventional anaerobic treatment causes propionate accumulation and microbial inhibition. Microaerobic conditions foster fermentative bacterial metabolism, enhancing organic substrate conversion, while biochar promotes anaerobic microbial aggregation and oxygen tolerance. This study treated actual guar gum wastewater using three configurations: blank control, anaerobic, and microaerobic-biochar (O2/BC) coupled systems. Under mesophilic conditions (37 °C), with micro-aeration at 0.2 mL/(g VS·d) and biochar dosage of 15 g/L, the O2/BC system achieved a COD removal efficiency of 90%, 10.6 percentage points higher than the anaerobic control. Effluent COD and propionate concentrations dropped to 3800 mg/L and 0.15 g/L, respectively, representing reductions of 49.6% and 98.4% versus the control. Biogas production was 1.64 times that of the control, with a maximum methane concentration of 77.2%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated increased abundance of –OH, –CH2–, and C–O functional groups on sludge surfaces, revealing biochar's adsorption enhancement. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed dense microbial aggregates dominated by long bacilli, distinct from conventional anaerobic sludge. Microbial community analysis revealed increased abundance of Clostridium and Comamonas, modulating the propionate-to-acetate ratio and optimizing acidification efficiency, thereby promoting complex organic degradation. This study provides a novel technical pathway for biological treatment of alcohol-rich organic wastewater.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3881-y
One-dimensional (1D) and quasi-1D platinum diselenide (PtSe2) exhibit enhanced quantum confinement and surface effects, leading to distinctive electronic and optical properties. However, efficient synthesis of high-quality quasi-1D PtSe2 with controlled dimensionality and orientation remains challenging. Here, we report the first successful synthesis of quasi-1D PtSe2 via a carrier-gas-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach. By optimizing hydrogen concentration, we achieved highly oriented and crystalline quasi-1D PtSe2, which exhibits exceptional thermodynamic stability along the (110) crystal plane. Electrical characterization reveals that 2D few-layer PtSe2 exhibits p-type semiconductor properties, while quasi-1D multilayer PtSe2 displays semimetallic behavior. Due to quantum confinement effects, both materials exhibit similar carrier mobilities. In photodetection at 1550 nm, 2D PtSe2 exhibits conventional positive photoresponse with a maximum responsivity of 97.0 A/W. In contrast, quasi-1D PtSe2 demonstrates unique negative photoresponse, achieving a maximum responsivity of 194.2 A/W, attributed to its semimetallic nature and significant surface traps. Temperature-dependent photoresponse measurements at various power levels further confirm that the negative response originates from a defect-assisted photogating effect, the strength of which exhibits significant temperature dependence under high-power illumination. This work not only fills a gap in the synthesis of 1D PtSe2 but also provides a novel material platform for developing advanced infrared optoelectronic devices.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3634-0
Messenger RNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccines have demonstrated extraordinary efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, establishing LNPs as the premier platform for mRNA therapeutics. However, the pervasive presence of anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) antibodies undermines PEGylated LNP performance by diminishing therapeutic efficacy. To address this challenge, we synthesized a panel of lipid-poly(2-oxazoline) (lipid-POx) conjugates as alternatives to lipid-PEG and systematically evaluated how their polymer backbone, degree of polymerization, and lipid tail structure influence LNP physicochemical properties and mRNA delivery performance. Among POx-LNPs formulated with heptadecan-9-yl 8-((2-hydroxyethyl)(6-oxo-6-(undecyloxy)hexyl)amino)octanoate (SM-102) as the base lipid, those constructed with single-tailed C18-POx exhibited smaller particle sizes and superior freeze-thaw stability. These C18-POx-LNPs maintained comparable in vivo transfection efficiency to PEG-LNPs even when fully replacing 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3 (DMG)-PEG. Notably, in mice bearing pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies, C18-POx-LNPs demonstrated over 200-fold higher transfection efficiency than PEG-LNPs. Additionally, repeated administration of POx-LNPs induced dose-dependent anti-POx immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses, with antibody titers inversely correlated with POx hydrophilicity. This study underscores the effectiveness of substituting PEG with POx in LNP construction to address the transfection efficiency in populations with pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies, and would inspire the development of more hydrophilic polymers for LNP formulation.
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.202508013
The Sanshenggong section of the Yellow River is a critical hydrological monitoring and control point, whose water quality directly affects the ecological safety and sustainable water resource utilization of the middle and lower reaches. This study analyzed water quality monitoring data from 2011 to 2024 using the Mann-Kendall test to identify abrupt change years, combined with single-factor evaluation and a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method improved by CRITIC-entropy weight combination to systematically assess water quality evolution. The Mann-Kendall test identified 2013 and 2019 as abrupt change points, with non-significant improvement from 2013 to 2015 and significant improvement after 2016. Single-factor evaluation indicated that total phosphorus (TP) was the primary exceeding factor in 2011–2012, and its declining concentration drove the water quality upgrade from Class III to Class II in 2013. The CRITIC-entropy weight combination assigned the highest weight (28.96%) to permanganate index, whose decline was the core driver of water quality improvement. The improved fuzzy evaluation showed that the membership degree of Class III water dropped to zero in 2013, indicating stable improvement, but periodic rebounds in Class II membership suggested potential degradation risks. This study provides scientific evidence for ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509035
Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is an economical and efficient technology, yet its application has been largely confined to sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). This study introduces a novel continuous-flow self-circulating upflow granular sludge bed (Zier) process with separate aeration for treating real domestic wastewater. By regulating operational parameters, the nitrogen removal performance and granular sludge stability were investigated. Under hydraulic retention time of 10 h, self-circulation times of 29–58, and upflow velocity of 11–18 m·h−1, effluent NH4+-N and TN averaged (5±3.4) mg·L−1 and (10±2.8) mg·L−1, respectively, with COD at (30±6.2) mg·L−1. The process maintained sludge stability: mixed liquor suspended solids increased from 5,080 to 6,650 mg·L−1, mean particle size was 209.6 μm, and sludge volume index (SVI) remained at 50–60 mL·g−1. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) increased from 26.05 to 68.27 mg·g−1, with proteins (PN) rising from 21.26 to 59.44 mg·g−1 and polysaccharides (PS) from 4.79 to 8.82 mg·g−1, elevating the PN/PS ratio from 4.4 to 6.7. These results confirm that the Zier process preserves granular structure and function in continuous flow. The process demonstrates robust nitrogen removal and offers a novel approach for continuous-flow AGS applications in real wastewater treatment.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025012404
Antibiotics, widely used for disease prevention and growth promotion in livestock, are emerging contaminants with potential risks to human health via the food chain. This review systematically analyzed the sources and residual levels of tetracycline (TCs) and β-lactam antibiotics in raw, pasteurized, commercial, and ultra-high-temperature (UHT) sterilized milk from various countries between 2012 and 2024, based on quantitative detection methods such as LC-MS and HPLC. The highest concentrations of TCs were found in milk from Algeria and Iran, while β-lactam residues were most elevated in Algeria, Bangladesh, and Kenya. The predominant TCs were tetracycline, chlortetracycline, and oxytetracycline; β-lactams were mainly penicillin and amoxicillin. Health risk assessment using hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) revealed that all individual HQ values were below 1, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic risk from single antibiotics. However, the HI for multiple antibiotics in raw milk from Algeria exceeded 1, suggesting potential cumulative health risks. Furthermore, some studies reported residue concentrations surpassing maximum residue limits (MRLs), underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and control. This review highlights the global variability in antibiotic contamination and the importance of comprehensive risk assessment to safeguard public health.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.3724/2097-213X.2025.JFCT.0032
This study elucidates the nonlinear relationship between the softening point of coating asphalt and its oxidative cross-linking behavior, as well as the sodium storage performance of the derived hard carbon. Comparative analysis of asphalts with low (80 °C), medium (160 °C), and high (260 °C) softening points revealed that both the 80 and 260 °C asphalts incorporated a higher oxygen content (20%–25%) during oxidation, leading to the formation of a deeply cross-linked structure dominated by anhydride and ester groups. This effectively suppressed graphitization during carbonization, yielding hard carbon with large interlayer spacing, high disorder, and abundant closed pores. The derived hard carbon exhibited superior sodium storage performance: the initial charge capacities of EPOC-80 and EPOC-260 reached 314.7 and 306.6 mA·h/g, with first-cycle coulombic efficiencies of 81.3% and 79.3%, respectively, along with excellent cycling stability and rate capability. In contrast, the medium softening point asphalt (160 °C) showed limited oxygen incorporation (~5%) and insufficient cross-linking after oxidation, resulting in a densely packed hard carbon with smaller interlayer spacing (3.46 Å) and restricted sodium storage sites, which led to a significantly reduced capacity of 173.2 mA·h/g. This work provides new design principles and theoretical support for optimizing hard carbon anode structures through precise control of the precursor softening point.
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.0254-6108.2025011302
Heavy metal contamination in soil severely compromises the quality and safety of Alisma orientale medicinal materials, and consumption of contaminated herbal preparations poses health risks. To characterize contamination and risks in Sichuan's genuine producing areas, 159 paired soil and plant samples were collected. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ni were determined via ICP-OES. Soil pollution was assessed using the Single Pollution Index (Pi), Nemerow Comprehensive Index (Pn), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI). Human health risks from heavy metals in Alisma were evaluated via Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI). Mean soil concentrations were Cu 29.57, Zn 61.86, Pb 29.51, Cd 1.77, and Ni 28.08 mg·kg−1. Except for Cd, all elements were below agricultural soil screening values. Pi and Pn confirmed Cd contamination, with Cd posing slight to strong potential ecological risks. Cu, Cd, Pb, and Ni showed highly significant positive correlations, indicating common origins. Heavy metal concentrations in Alisma did not exceed pharmacopeial limits. The plant exhibited strong Zn enrichment but weak accumulation of Cu, Cd, and Pb, and negligible Ni enrichment. THQ and HI values indicated no potential health risks under current exposure. Quantitative assessment is critical for soil pollution control, safe cultivation, and medication safety.
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.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605004
To address the decline in operational performance of sewage pipeline networks in rainy cities of southern China caused by structural defects, stormwater-sewage cross-connections, and external water intrusion, a systematic governance framework comprising precise investigation, dynamic regulation, graded rehabilitation, and smart operation and maintenance was established. A zoned priority evaluation model was developed with comprehensive problem severity (P) and governance contribution (B) as core indicators, based on which differentiated governance strategies were formulated. Supported by a digital platform, monitoring, assessment, rectification, and verification data were integrated to develop a digital twin system for the pipeline network, and a correlation-based analysis and closed-loop operation and maintenance mechanism linking rainfall, groundwater level, and network hydraulic load was established. A typical urban area in Jiangxi Province was selected as the case study. After implementation, the mean COD concentration of terminal sewage in the study area increased steadily to above 230 mg/L, the average daily external water volume in the dry season decreased by 27.64%, and the sewage collection rate increased to 76%. The results indicate that the proposed framework can effectively support the quality and efficiency improvement of sewage pipeline networks in rainy cities of southern China, and provide a technical reference for similar cities.
The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.226111
Efficient capture of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) is critical for climate change mitigation and resource recovery. In this study, two guanidinium-based hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) with pyridyl nitrogen site isomerism, namely G-5,5'-BPyDC and G-4,4'-BPyDC, were constructed using 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid and 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid as ligands. The effects of ligand structure on hydrogen-bonded network, pore environment, and N2O/N2 adsorption separation performance were systematically investigated via single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Hirshfeld surface analysis, and gas adsorption experiments. Both frameworks are built via N-H...O hydrogen bonds. The asymmetric unit of G-5,5'-BPyDC contains two methanol molecules, resulting in larger free volume and surface area compared to G-4,4'-BPyDC, which exhibits more compact packing. Both materials show decomposition temperatures above 290°C, indicating good thermal stability. Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals that the total contribution of O-H/H-O and N-H/H-N hydrogen bonds in G-5,5'-BPyDC (32.0%) is higher than that in G-4,4'-BPyDC (29.7%). At 25°C and 4.0 MPa, the N2O adsorption capacity of G-5,5'-BPyDC is 2.32 mmol/g, surpassing that of G-4,4'-BPyDC (2.02 mmol/g). IAST calculations show that the selectivities of G-5,5'-BPyDC for N2O/N2 (50:50 and 10:90) mixtures reach 29.26 and 111.32, respectively, significantly superior to those of G-4,4'-BPyDC (6.61 and 17.03). Pyridyl nitrogen site isomerism effectively optimizes N2O/N2 adsorption and separation by modulating pore polarity and hydrogen-bonded network, offering a new strategy for isomer design.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3845-9
The controlled regulation of molecular folding provides a fundamental pathway for constructing adaptive chiral materials with tunable optical and structural properties. This review summarizes recent progress in folding-mediated chirality control across four interrelated domains: stimuli-responsive regulation, host-guest and coordination interactions, halogen-bond driven modulation, and structural adaptability. Stimuli such as solvent polarity, temperature, pH, and light can reversibly reshape intramolecular hydrogen-bond networks to trigger chiroptical switching. Host-guest and coordination assemblies further enable cooperative chirality transfer through multicomponent interactions, while halogen bonding offers directional and programmable control over molecular helicity. Finally, intrinsic structural adaptability—integrating ferrocenyl frameworks, peptide folding, and diastereomeric design—demonstrates that molecular architecture itself can encode responsive behavior. By comparing these diverse yet convergent strategies, this review highlights the underlying principles of folding-regulated chirality and outlines future directions toward intelligent, multifunctional, and hierarchically organized chiral systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3650-6
Aggregation-induced emission active chiral polymer dots (AIE@CPdots) are emerging as high-performance emission layers (EMLs) for circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) due to their persistent emission stability, high photoluminescence quantum yields, excellent solution processability, facile functionalization, tunable bandgap-governed emission, and superior device processability. However, reports on such systems remain scarce. In this study, a pair of chiral conjugated polymer enantiomers (R/S-PFC) was synthesized via Suzuki polymerization using three monomers: a chiral binaphthalene moiety, a fluorenyl linker, and an AIE-active cyanostyrene dye. After annealing at 110 °C, the resulting R/S-PFC self-assembled into chiral nanoparticles (AIE@CPdots) in a chloroform/n-hexane mixed solvent (9:1 v/v), exhibiting enhanced circularly polarized luminescence with a luminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_lum|) of 4.4 × 10⁻³ at 462 nm. Notably, AIE@CPdots served as the EML in CP-OLEDs, achieving high-performance circularly polarized electroluminescence with an electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_EL|) of 3.0 × 10⁻³ at 464 nm, a maximum luminance (L_max) of 6022 cd m⁻², and a maximum current efficiency (CE_max) of 1.10 cd A⁻¹. This work provides a novel strategy for designing superior EML materials for CP-OLEDs via chiral self-assembled AIE@CPdots.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3804-7
Supramolecular helical architectures hold promise for enantioselective catalysis, yet the influence of screw pitch on catalytic performance remains underexplored. Here, we report the construction of right-/left-handed helical nanoribbons (P/M-DAIPA) based on 5-aminoisophthalic acid dimer (DAIPA). Through an alcohol-mediated self-assembly strategy, the average screw pitch was tuned from 360 to 3152 nm. Mechanistic studies revealed that hydrogen-bonding interactions between DAIPA, modulated by alcohol identity and alcohol/water ratios, dictate helical morphology and pitch. Encapsulation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles yielded P-DAIPA-Fe3O4 and M-DAIPA-Fe3O4 nanozymes, which exhibited higher catalytic efficiency toward S-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and R-DOPA, respectively. Notably, catalytic enantioselectivity inversely correlated with screw pitch, achieving selectivity factors from 1.52 to 2.01. Experimental evidence demonstrated that shorter screw pitch enhances adsorption enantioselectivity of R/S-DOPA on the nanozymes, providing mechanistic insight into pitch-dependent asymmetric catalysis. This work deciphers solvent-driven control of supramolecular screw pitch and establishes a framework for engineering chiral nanozymes with tunable enantioselectivity, advancing enantioselective synthesis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3814-2
Micro-structured surfaces have attracted increasing attention due to their great potential applications. However, it is still a challenge to continuously fabricate micro-structured surfaces based on thermoplastics by a facile, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly method. Herein, with the help of the extrusion molding method and an elaborately designed mold, micro-grooved fiber (MGF) based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is continuously prepared. Theoretically, infinitely long MGFs with feature sizes down to a few microns can be efficiently fabricated because of the continuous fabrication characteristic of the melt extrusion method. Interestingly, left- and right-handed micro-grooves with different helix angles can be produced by applying twisting at the die exit, and the macroscopically MGF springs can be further fabricated via a self-designed three-dimensional helical enwind device. By regulating wettability, MGF can achieve liquid self-transport on predefined paths. In addition, MGF fabric exhibits rapid evaporation behavior, whose evaporation rate is about 4 times higher than that of the Smooth fiber (SMF) fabric and 2 times higher than that of the most popular commercial quick-drying fabric (i.e., Cool-max fabric). This work proposes a facile and environmentally-friendly method for continuously preparing low-cost and flexible MGF, opening a new pathway to develop fiber-based microfluidic systems following the concept of "functionalized processing for thermoplastics".
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509078
The rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) installations and the impending retirement of early-stage modules have made the recycling of end-of-life PV modules an urgent issue. This review systematically examines the types and structures of retired PV modules, with a focus on crystalline silicon (c-Si) and thin-film technologies. It critically evaluates the principles, processes, and pros and cons of physical, chemical, pyrolysis, biological, combined, and emerging methods for recovering c-Si modules. The current status of silicon, metal, and valuable component recovery processes is summarized. For thin-film modules, the core technologies for recovering valuable components via pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, biological, and novel approaches are analyzed in depth. Results indicate that conventional methods (physical, chemical, pyrolysis) remain dominant but suffer from high energy consumption, pollution, and chemical usage. Emerging technologies such as biological and green leaching are identified as key research directions, though they face challenges of low technical maturity and high costs. Finally, policy orientations and existing challenges are discussed, and future development directions are proposed, providing significant guidance for the sustainable and large-scale green development of the PV industry.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3806-0
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) faces critical limitations from inefficient sonosensitizers and the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, which curtail reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Here, we report a dual enzyme-mimicking sonosensitizer, termed sonozyme, engineered by integrating platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) with a tailored covalent organic framework (Y-COF). The spatially separated donor-acceptor architecture optimizes the band position of Y-COF, conferring intrinsic sonodynamic activity. Pt NPs further enhance ultrasound-triggered ROS generation by promoting exciton separation and transfer. Notably, sonozyme exhibits catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) mimetic activities, converting endogenous H2O2 into O2 and ·OH, thereby alleviating hypoxia and augmenting oxidative stress. In vitro assays demonstrated significantly enhanced ROS production and cancer cell death under ultrasound irradiation. In vivo studies confirmed that sonozyme effectively suppresses tumor progression without observable systemic toxicity. This work presents a paradigm for designing high-performance multifunctional sonosensitizers, offering a promising strategy for cancer therapy.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202506064
To address the challenges of high salinity, recalcitrance, limited mass transfer, and coating detachment in traditional anodes for textile wastewater treatment, a porous RuO2@r-TiO2 nanotube array (NTA) anode was fabricated via anodic oxidation, electrochemical reduction, and thermal decomposition. A flow-through electrochemical oxidation system was constructed using this anode and a graphite felt cathode. The material's morphology and physicochemical properties were characterized by SEM, XRD, and XPS. Congo red (CR) was used as a model pollutant to evaluate degradation performance under various conditions. Optimal conditions were identified as current density 5 mA·cm−2, permeate flux 480 L·(m2·h)−1, initial CR concentration 0.15 mmol·L−1, and NaCl concentration 75 mmol·L−1. Under these conditions, the system achieved 91% decolorization within 20 min and 82% mineralization within 60 min. Mass transfer tests showed a rate constant of 2.23×10−4 m·s−1 in flow-through mode, three times higher than conventional mode, with active chlorine and H2O2 production increased by 32.8% and 66.7%, respectively. Radical quenching experiments indicated that singlet oxygen (1O2) was the primary reactive species. The degradation mechanism was proposed based on quenching and UV spectral analysis. The system achieved >90% decolorization for five typical dye pollutants with an energy consumption of only 0.16 kWh·m−3. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed long-term stability. These findings provide theoretical support for applying electrochemical advanced oxidation to high-salinity textile wastewater.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509019
To enhance the electricity generation and decolorization efficiency of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) for azo dye wastewater, this study introduced pomelo peel biochar as anode material and flavonoid-rich Chinese herbal medicines as electron mediators (EMs) into microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The anodes were prepared by chemical activation with KOH, ZnCl2, and H3BO3, followed by polypyrrole (PPy) modification. Among the modified anodes, PPy-PPCH3BO3-CC exhibited the best electrochemical performance. The EMs were derived from aqueous extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin), Ginkgo biloba leaves, and Pueraria lobata (Gegen). The extract from Scutellaria baicalensis showed the highest electron transfer capability. In the MFC system equipped with the optimal anode and Scutellaria baicalensis extract, the maximum output voltage reached (587±10) mV, power density increased to 423.12 mW·m−2, Coulombic efficiency was (57.85±1.06)%, COD removal efficiency was (77.45±0.92)%, charge transfer resistance (Rct) decreased to 7.15 Ω, and methyl orange decolorization rate reached (95.86±1.12)%. These results were significantly superior to the control group, demonstrating that natural source materials can effectively enhance the performance of BES for methyl orange wastewater treatment.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509053
The escalating global generation of waste plastics necessitates robust recycling strategies to mitigate environmental impact and advance low-carbon development. This study employs life cycle assessment (LCA) and emission factor methodologies to quantify the carbon footprints of six distinct waste plastic valorization pathways: mechanical recycling, pyrolysis, alcoholysis, co-coking, solid fuel production, and direct incineration. The functional unit is one tonne of waste plastic, with system boundaries encompassing transportation, pretreatment, and resource utilization. The model accounts for indirect emissions from energy consumption, direct emissions from plastic decomposition, and carbon offsets from material or energy recovery. Results indicate that pyrolysis yields the highest carbon offset of approximately -3,024 kgCO2e per tonne, while mechanical recycling achieves an 88% material recovery rate and a net carbon offset of -991.4 kgCO2e. Net carbon emissions per tonne of waste plastic rank as follows: direct incineration (1,104 kgCO2e) > co-coking (185.8 kgCO2e) > solid fuel (115.4 kgCO2e) > alcoholysis (-259.5 kgCO2e) > mechanical recycling (-991.4 kgCO2e) > pyrolysis (-2,592 kgCO2e). These findings demonstrate that pyrolysis offers superior carbon reduction benefits compared to incineration, exhibiting a net-negative carbon footprint across its life cycle. The study provides a scientific basis for selecting low-carbon waste plastic valorization routes and informs carbon trading and emission reduction strategies in the solid waste sector.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025112603
The cycloaddition of carbon dioxide (CO2) to epoxides (CCE) is a 100% atom-economical transformation yielding cyclic carbonates, which are valuable chemical products. This reaction valorizes CO2 as a carbon feedstock, mitigating the greenhouse effect and aligning with carbon neutrality goals. Conventional covalent organic framework (COF) catalysts often require co-catalysts to achieve high efficiency. To address this, we designed and prepared a series of ionic COFs, denoted EB-BT(nOH), that simultaneously incorporate acid (hydroxyl), base (nitrogen), and nucleophilic bromide (Br−) functionalities. These materials efficiently catalyze the CCE reaction without any co-catalyst. Among them, EB-BT(OH) exhibited the highest catalytic activity, achieving a 99% yield of the target product at 120 °C and 2.0 MPa CO2 pressure. By systematically varying the hydroxyl content in the COF backbone, we investigated the critical role of hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) in the CCE reaction. This work provides new design principles for COF-based catalysts for CCE, eliminating the need for co-catalysts and enhancing process sustainability.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025011002
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in farmland soils poses a threat to food security, necessitating effective remediation strategies. This study prepared three types of phosphorus-enriched biochar (PBC) from rice straw and different phosphorus sources (fused calcium magnesium phosphate, citric acid-activated fused calcium magnesium phosphate, and monocalcium phosphate) to evaluate their potential in stabilizing Cd(II), releasing phosphorus, and enhancing plant resistance to heavy metal stress. Under Cd stress, PBC amendments significantly improved soil physicochemical properties and reduced Cd bioavailability through direct immobilization (adsorption, precipitation) and indirect mechanisms. Specifically, CBC and MBC treatments reduced DTPA-extractable Cd by 45.73% and 48.92%, respectively. The porous structure of biochar facilitated sustained phosphorus release, influencing soil solution phosphorus dynamics. In pot experiments with Brassica napus L., PBC application significantly improved agronomic traits and reduced oxidative stress markers. The C5 treatment increased leaf area by 100%, M7 increased plant height by 26.8%, and M3 reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents by 72.5% and 61.2%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that PBC effectively alleviates Cd toxicity, promotes plant growth, and enhances stress resistance, offering a feasible strategy for remediating Cd-contaminated soils while providing a sustainable phosphorus source.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3794-0
Luminescent transparent display technology is widely used in emerging fields such as augmented reality glass, head-up vehicle display, and commercial retail windows. While electroluminescent display is well established, the photoluminescent transparent screen of full-color rendering ability remains elusive due to the severe crosstalk between emitters. Herein, a full-color transparent screen of an orthogonal red/green/blue (R/G/B) luminescence is reported. Lanthanide fluoride nanocrystals are used as the emitters, where the color is tuned by a deliberate choice of doping activators including Tb3+, Eu3+, and Tm3+. Polyvinyl alcohol, with an identical refractive index to nanocrystals, is employed as the host matrix, enabling a high transparency up to 86% in the visible region upon a high loading content (~78 wt%) of nanocrystals. It should be noted that the nanocrystals are embedded in separate monolayers before integration by a UV-selective absorber, i.e., epoxy resin, which absorbs 254-nm UV to block cross-excitation between Tb3+ and Eu3+ layers, providing an asymmetric luminescent property from both sides of the screen. In a proof-of-concept experiment, a full-color prototype is showcased in real time for its potential applications in advanced displays of immersive experience.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3944-9
Hard carbon (HC) is a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) but suffers from low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Here, we report a dual-functional strategy combining surface engineering and solution chemical pre-sodiation. A graphitic carbon coating on HC acts as a conductive buffer network and shields surface defects, while sodium biphenyl (Na-Bp) pre-sodiation drives sodium ions into the material via a potential difference, inducing a pre-SEI layer that matures into a thin, dense, NaF-rich inorganic SEI during cycling. This approach compensates for irreversible sodium loss and enhances cycling stability. The pre-sodiated electrode (pCH4-HC) achieves an ICE of 99.5% and a reversible capacity of 321.7 mAh g−1, compared to 54.2% for untreated HC. Long-term cycling shows 74.0% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 300 mA g−1. In full-cells with NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 (NFM) cathode, pCH4-HC||NFM delivers 81.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, demonstrating excellent stability and rate performance. This dual-strategy approach validates the adaptability of pre-sodiation technology for high-performance SIBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3900-8
Memristors, which leverage ion migration for resistance switching, offer breakthroughs in bionic perception, information security, and edge computing but face bottlenecks in functional integration and stability. Herein, we explore all-inorganic Cu3SbI6 nanocrystals (NCs) & PMMA composite memristors (Ag/PMMA&Cu3SbI6/ITO) regulated by NCs doping (0–15 wt%). The devices operate via electric field-induced Ag+ ion migration and conductive filament dynamics, where NCs act as local electric field enhancers. At a doping concentration of 4 wt%, stable bipolar switching (Ron/Roff > 2 × 10^3, cycling endurance > 700 cycles) enables the simulation of biological nociception/Pavlovian reflexes and the construction of basic logic gates. At 2 wt%, sparse NCs induce random filament formation for encryption key extraction, which integrates with 4 wt% logic gates to enable efficient encryption/decryption of text/image data. This work provides a strategy for designing multifunctional memristors by regulating ion transport through nanocrystal concentration, offering references for related functional integration and cross-disciplinary applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3925-5
Capacitive pressure sensors have garnered significant attention in electronic skin, human-machine interaction, health monitoring, and medical devices due to their remarkable properties like highly sensitive pressure perception, good repeatability, and rapid response capabilities. However, manufacturing capacitive pressure sensors that simultaneously achieve a broad linear detection range and high sensitivity remains a significant challenge. Herein, a novel hierarchically interlocked capacitive pressure sensor (HI-CPS) was designed by integrating a stretchable polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based nanofilm dielectric layer with hierarchically interlocked microstructures, demonstrating excellent linearity and high sensitivity over a wide sensing range. HI-CPS based on a one-layer nanofilm exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity (9.40 kPa−1) and an ultralow detection limit (0.1 Pa). When the dielectric layer comprises two layers of stacked nanofilms, the sensor not only maintains high sensitivity (3.17 kPa−1) but also achieves excellent linearity (R2 = 0.999) over a broad working range (<5 kPa), along with remarkable stability even after 10,000 cycles. Benefitting from the outstanding comprehensive performance, HI-CPS has been proven to be successfully implemented in monitoring various human biological signals, sign language recognition, and basketball shooting gesture correction. This strategy of assembling the tailored nanofilm with structural engineering has significant potential application in building high-performance pressure detection and recognition devices.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4061-5
The dynamic modulation of magnetic properties by external stimuli represents a paradigm shift in materials science, enabling non-contact, reversible control of spin states for applications in optical switching, sensing, and low-power spintronics. Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are versatile platforms for photo-responsive magnetism, yet their photomagnetic response is highly sensitive to transition metal selection, alkali ions, vacancies, and water content, complicating targeted synthesis. Here, we introduce a generalizable strategy by incorporating the photo-responsive organic cation methyl viologen (MV2+) into PBA frameworks, yielding hybrids MVPB, MVPB-Co, and MVPB-Ni. Upon Xe lamp irradiation, MV2+ undergoes reduction to the radical cation MV+•, which acts as a spin carrier coupling to the magnetic moments of the metal ions. This mechanism decouples the photomagnetic response from the inorganic lattice, overcoming stoichiometric limitations. Irradiation leads to a substantial enhancement of magnetization, followed by partial relaxation under prolonged exposure, attributed to the generation and accumulation of MV+• radicals. These radicals function as dynamic magnetic modifiers, distinct from conventional light-induced charge transfer in PB frameworks. The approach is applicable across diverse cyanide-bridged metal pairs, irrespective of alkaline cations, vacancies, or water content, establishing a robust route for designing light-responsive magnetic materials.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511047
Ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission lines are critical infrastructure for China's energy strategy. Compared with conventional voltage lines, UHV lines exhibit nonlinear growth in resource and capital consumption, complex supply chains, and strong spatiotemporal heterogeneity in carbon emission factors, resulting in substantial and uncertain construction-phase emissions. Accurate accounting is essential for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals in the power sector. To address issues of ambiguous system boundaries, weak characterization of input parameter uncertainty, and poor cross-year applicability of input-output carbon intensities, this study defines the accounting boundary using budget quotas and develops a hybrid life cycle assessment (HLCA) model. For easily traceable emission sources, process-based LCA (PLCA) is applied, with uncertainty analysis via distribution fitting and Monte Carlo simulation. For difficult-to-trace sources, input-output LCA (IO-LCA) is used with carbon intensity correction. A case study of a ±800 kV transmission line yields a construction-phase carbon emission intensity of 1,858.91 t·km⁻¹ (CO₂ equivalent), with a 95% confidence interval of [1,379.73, 2,486.45] t·km⁻¹. Sobol global sensitivity analysis identifies key emission reduction pathways. The method's validity is confirmed by comparison with existing studies, providing quantitative support for low-carbon design, construction optimization, and carbon auditing of UHV projects.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60659-7
Coal gasification fine slag (CGFS), a solid waste from entrained-flow coal gasification, is characterized by fine particles and high silicon and aluminum content. This study proposes a simple and economical hydrothermal synthesis of ZSM-5 molecular sieve using CGFS as raw material. Impurities were removed by acid washing, followed by alkaline extraction of silicon and aluminum species. The extracted Si-Al precursors were crystallized hydrothermally at 170 °C for 48 h, yielding ZSM-5 with a high specific surface area of 358 m2/g. Adsorption experiments showed that the synthesized ZSM-5 exhibited excellent Pb2+ removal performance: at 25 °C, the removal efficiency for a 50 mg/L Pb2+ solution reached 83.7%, with an adsorption capacity of 104.625 mg/g under optimized conditions. The adsorption process is mainly governed by chemisorption mechanisms, including surface complexation, precipitation, and ion exchange. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that Pb2+ adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic, consistent with multilayer chemisorption. The synthesized ZSM-5 shows promising potential for application in the treatment of lead-containing wastewater, offering a high-value utilization route for coal-based solid waste.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60628-1
The coupling of CO2 with olefins to produce cyclic carbonates has emerged as an important research topic in sustainable chemistry, owing to its high atom economy and the wide applicability of the resulting products. However, this reaction faces a significant challenge due to the mismatch between the rates of the epoxidation and cycloaddition steps. In this work, a series of TS-1 zeolite catalysts encapsulating different amounts of molybdenum acetylacetonate were prepared through hydrothermal synthesis followed by post-treatment, with the aim of elucidating the rate balance between the epoxidation and cycloaddition steps and the underlying regulation mechanism. Characterization results show that the Mo species were present as highly dispersed molybdenum acetylacetonate complexes that were stably confined within the TS-1 framework. These complexes interact electronically with the tetra-coordinated Ti sites to form synergistic active centers, while imposing negligible effects on the zeolite structure and porosity. In the CO2-styrene coupling reaction, tuning the Mo loading enabled effective control over the epoxidation rate, thereby achieving an appropriate balance with the subsequent cycloaddition step. The optimized catalyst delivered excellent performance under mild conditions, with a styrene conversion of 83.4% and a selectivity of 75.3%, and also exhibited outstanding recyclability. Overall, this encapsulated catalyst successfully addresses the dual challenges of rate matching and active-site stability in CO2–olefin coupling, providing valuable insights for the rational design of efficient, durable bifunctional catalysts.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026021202
To investigate the sources and health risks of heavy metals in PM2.5 during winter in Xi'an, hourly concentrations of eight heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, etc.) were measured using an Amms-100 online analyzer at the Xi'an International Horticultural Exposition site from November 2024 to March 2025. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied for source apportionment, and the U.S. EPA health risk assessment model was used to evaluate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for different populations. Results showed that PM2.5 concentrations varied significantly across pollution levels, with an average of 173.5 μg·m−3 during heavy pollution, 4.1, 1.9, and 1.3 times higher than during non-pollution, light, and moderate pollution periods, respectively. Concentrations of Pb, Mn, and Cu increased with pollution level, indicating a combined effect of coal combustion and unfavorable dispersion. PMF identified five sources during non-pollution periods (industrial metallurgy, crustal dust, metal processing, etc.) but only four during polluted periods, with Cu contribution increasing significantly, suggesting a shift to traffic-related mechanical wear. Health risk assessment indicated that carcinogenic risks were highest in adult males, followed by adult females and children. Non-carcinogenic risks (HQ) for Zn and Cu were below 1, but Pb and Mn posed non-carcinogenic risks, with Mn being significant. The incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) for As and Cr exceeded 10−4, identifying them as primary carcinogenic metals. This study provides scientific evidence for targeted air pollution control in Xi'an, emphasizing the need to strengthen controls on coal combustion, traffic, and industrial emissions during heating periods.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025040202
Halophenols are highly toxic disinfection byproducts and common taste-and-odor pollutants in drinking water. In this study, a palladium catalyst confined within the pores of UiO-66 (Pd@UiO-66) was prepared via a double-solvent method and applied for the catalytic hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). A surface-supported catalyst (Pd/UiO-66) was synthesized by deposition-precipitation as a benchmark. Comprehensive characterization using ICP-OES, XRD, TEM, EDX mapping, XPS, and in situ CO-IR revealed that Pd@UiO-66 exhibited smaller Pd particle sizes, higher Pd dispersion, and a greater proportion of cationic Pd species (Pdn+) compared to Pd/UiO-66. These features enhanced the activation and cleavage of the C–Cl bond. Catalytic tests demonstrated that Pd@UiO-66 achieved >90% removal of 4-CP within 15 minutes, with phenol as the sole degradation product, showing significantly lower predicted toxicity (ECOSAR) than the parent compound. The kinetics followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Pd@UiO-66 exhibited 2.1 times higher initial activity and 1.2 times higher turnover frequency than Pd/UiO-66. Moreover, the pore confinement effect imparted high stability, with no significant loss in initial activity (within 10%) after five reaction cycles. These results highlight the potential of confined Pd catalysts for efficient removal of halophenolic odorants from water.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025032004
This study proposes an integrated source apportionment framework that synergistically integrates pollution source classification, atmospheric dispersion modeling, backward trajectory analysis, weighted trajectory clustering, and forward contribution estimation to accurately target peak reduction at localized air pollution hotspots. Applied at the County-Town Scale in Beijing, this method was employed to investigate pollution episodes at the Tongzhou Dongguan monitoring site. Source classification relied on a pollution fingerprint database and temporal concentration profiles, while local contributions were quantified through combined air quality modeling and monitoring data. Forward and backward trajectory analyses enabled the identification of potential source regions and key contributors. Results indicate that construction dust, road dust, and emissions from the catering industry were the dominant local sources, with construction and road dust contributing most prominently to PM2.5 concentrations. Furthermore, abnormal PM2.5 increases were closely linked to low boundary layer height, weak winds, and high humidity, emphasizing the role of meteorological conditions in pollution accumulation. The proposed framework proves effective in pinpointing local pollution sources and offers a scientific basis for targeted air quality management at finer spatial scales.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025031105
Colloids significantly influence contaminant transport in groundwater, yet their behavior under varying hydrochemical conditions remains inadequately characterized. This study employed quartz sand as a surrogate porous medium to investigate colloid transport through column experiments under controlled pH and ionic strength (IS). Breakthrough curves (BTCs) were obtained for a conservative tracer and for colloids under nine combinations of pH (5, 7, 9) and IS (1, 5, 10 mmol·L−1). Hydrus-1D, incorporating a two-site kinetic sorption model, was used to simulate colloid transport and derive key parameters: attachment rate (k1a), detachment rate (k1d), straining rate (k2a), and maximum retained concentration on site 2 (Smax2). Results demonstrated that increasing pH and decreasing IS enhanced colloid mobility. Specifically, at IS = 1 mmol·L−1, normalized peak concentrations (C/C0) were 0.33, 0.40, and 0.72 for pH 5, 7, and 9, respectively. At pH = 7, C/C0 decreased from 0.40 to 0.18 and 0.12 as IS increased from 1 to 5 and 10 mmol·L−1. The fitted transport parameters accurately captured these trends, with R² ≥ 0.95 across all conditions. Mechanistically, higher pH increases negative surface charge and electrostatic repulsion, while higher IS compresses the double layer and reduces repulsion, thereby inhibiting transport. These findings provide quantitative insights for predicting colloid-facilitated contaminant migration in subsurface environments.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025040102
Calcium peroxide (CaO2) with a rich porous structure was synthesized via chemical precipitation for efficient fluoride removal from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized by SEM, BET, LPSA, and XRD, revealing a mesoporous material with a total pore volume of 0.51 cm3·g−1. Batch experiments investigated the effects of adsorbent dosage, initial fluoride concentration, reaction time, pH, and coexisting anions. Adsorption kinetics followed a fractal-like pseudo-first-order model, with intraparticle diffusion as the rate-limiting step. Equilibrium data were well described by the Sips isotherm, predicting a maximum adsorption capacity of 479.8 mg·g−1. Site energy distribution analysis indicated a normal distribution with an average energy of 13.36 kJ·mol−1. Mechanistic studies using FTIR and XPS revealed that fluoride removal proceeds via surface precipitation, ligand exchange, and electrostatic attraction. The high density of active sites contributes to the exceptional defluoridation performance, positioning CaO2 as a promising adsorbent for fluoride-contaminated water treatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3916-3
Circularly polarized light (CPL) detection is critical to emerging technologies in optical communication, chiral sensing, and bio-inspired imaging. However, current devices rely on intrinsically chiral semiconductors that are synthetically complex and costly to scale. Here, we demonstrate robust CPL detection in achiral organic semiconductors by exploiting chiral plasmonic resonance (CPR). A self-assembled monolayer of L-phenylalanine–modified gold nanoparticles imparts optical chirality to adjacent semiconductors while enhancing photocurrent through plasmon-induced hot-carrier processes. The resulting hybrid devices exhibit nearly tenfold responsivity enhancement and a high dissymmetry factor of 0.35 at 515 nm. Mechanistic analysis reveals a field-driven, hot-carrier-assisted route to helicity sensitivity. This solution-processable approach merges plasmonic chirality with organic semiconductor versatility, providing a scalable platform for next-generation on-chip chiroptoelectronic and polarization-imaging technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3875-1
Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from pure water is a promising strategy to address critical challenges in energy sustainability and environmental remediation. However, HER over single-component photocatalysts is intrinsically limited by inefficient carrier separation and relatively poor photostability. Forming abundant interfaces between two components is an effective approach for solving these issues. Herein, a series of hierarchical core-shell heterojunction photocatalysts, designated as F@Z-X, was rationally constructed by in situ growing ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) nanosheets on a Ti-based metal-organic framework (FIR-125), demonstrating remarkable structural stability. Due to the abundant intimate contact interfaces and well-matched band structure, the F@Z-X series exhibit enhanced HER performance. Among them, the optimized heterojunction [email protected] shows a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 3789.45 μmol g−1 h−1, which is about 4.4 and 264.4 times higher than that of pristine ZIS (859.57 μmol g−1 h−1) and FIR-125 (15.32 μmol g−1 h−1), respectively. Moreover, the photocatalyst manifests excellent reusability and durability, maintaining its performance over five consecutive cycles and sixteen hours of continuous reaction. The outstanding performance of [email protected] may be ascribed to an optimal balance among three fundamental photocatalytic processes: sufficient light absorption, exceptional carrier separation, and appropriate surface reaction. This work offers valuable insights into the rational design and controllable synthesis of novel heterojunction photocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3967-x
Metal-halide perovskites exhibit exceptional optical gain, narrow emission linewidths, and high emission efficiency, positioning them as promising candidates for next-generation lasers. Thermal evaporation, a mature semiconductor fabrication technique, offers scalability, yet monitoring phase distribution during deposition remains challenging. This study systematically investigates and regulates thermally evaporated FAxCs0.8PbBr3 perovskite films by tuning formamidinium (FA) content to optimize phase distribution. At intermediate FA content, films achieve a balanced distribution of n=2 to n=5 quantum-well phases, facilitating ultrafast carrier transfer (<0.31 ps) and suppressing nonradiative recombination. FA+ actively incorporates as an A-site cation, promoting ordered crystallization and reducing defect densities. The optimized films exhibit a net modal gain of 1041 cm−1 and a gain lifetime of 129 ps. Benefiting from efficient internal scattering, the threshold for cavity-free random lasing is reduced to below 5 μJ/cm2 at room temperature. The low spatial coherence of random lasing enables speckle-free imaging with a speckle contrast as low as 0.011 and improved contrast-to-noise ratios across all spatial frequencies. This work provides a scalable strategy for perovskite composition-phase engineering, advancing speckle-free laser imaging systems compatible with semiconductor-grade, large-area manufacturing.