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/s40843-026-4358-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/s40843-026-4283-0
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/s40843-026-4240-7
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/s40843-026-4261-2
Developing ion exchange membranes with both high proton conductivity and high selectivity is crucial for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). Commercial Nafion membranes suffer from severe vanadium crossover, while conventional additives often aggregate, disrupting ion domains and significantly reducing proton conductivity. To overcome this conductivity–selectivity trade-off, we propose a modification strategy based on molecular-level functional strategy. Two complementary additives, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and a fluoroalkyl-grafted polyoxometalate cluster (8FSiW11), are introduced into Nafion matrix to achieve precise, cooperative, regulation of ionic domains. PVP fills ion domains via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, constructing an efficient barrier against vanadium ions. Simultaneously, 8FSiW11 anchors at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface, providing additional proton sources and hopping sites to compensate for proton neutralization by PVP. The resulting hybrid membrane exhibits a proton/vanadium selectivity of 1×10^6 S min cm^-3, 8.6 times higher than commercial Nafion 212 (NR212), and enables VRFB energy efficiencies (EE) of 88.9% at 100 mA cm^-2 and 83.2% at 200 mA cm^-2. This work demonstrates the potential of synergistic molecular modification strategy to break conductivity–selectivity trade-off in membrane design for next-generation high-performance VRFBs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4369-1
Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage due to sodium's abundance and low cost. Among cathode materials, polyanionic compounds like Na3V2(PO4)2O2F (NVPOF) offer high energy density and dual voltage plateaus at ~3.6 and 4.0 V, but suffer from low electronic conductivity and sluggish Na+ diffusion. Here, we report a dual-modulation strategy combining high-valence Nb5+ doping and polydopamine-derived carbon coating to synthesize Na3V1.94Nb0.06(PO4)2O2F-C (NVPOF-Nb-C) via a hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement confirm that Nb5+ doping induces slight lattice expansion without altering the tetragonal I4/mmm framework. Density functional theory calculations reveal that Nb5+ doping optimizes the crystal structure and reduces the Na+ diffusion barrier, while the uniform carbon coating enhances electron transport. Consequently, NVPOF-Nb-C exhibits remarkably improved electrochemical performance, including high reversible capacity, excellent rate capability, and ultralong cycling stability. In a full cell with hard carbon anode, it delivers a high energy density of 487.2 Wh kg−1 at 1C and retains 91.51% capacity after 3000 cycles at 20C. This work provides a synergistic strategy to overcome the intrinsic limitations of polyanionic cathodes for practical SIB applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4322-4
Ultrafast scintillators with low-nanosecond emission are essential for next-generation high-rate X-ray and particle imaging. Although Ce3+-activated scintillators inherently exhibit fast response characteristics, conventional Ce3+-doped hosts rarely achieve low-nanosecond ultrafast decay. Here, we report a high-entropy fluoride scintillator (HEFS), Ce:LaGdCaSrBaF12 (Ce:LGCSB), in the form of bulk single crystals. The severe lattice distortion arising from multi-cation disorder induces exciton localization and effectively suppresses exciton diffusion. Through the rapid relaxation of localized excitons, the high-entropy Ce:LGCSB single crystals deliver a decay time of 1.23 ns with a 94.6% fast-component contribution and without any noticeable slow component. Through first-principles calculations, spectroscopic characterization, and transient dynamics analysis, we reveal that the ultrafast response originates from accelerated Frenkel exciton (FE) recombination enabled by the high-entropy environment. This work establishes entropy-engineered fluorides as promising ultrafast scintillator platforms and proposes a general strategy for extending sluggish diffusion effects to the excitonic scale, offering new opportunities for improving scintillation timing performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4194-2
Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) exhibit distinctive optical characteristics, including excellent photostability, large anti-Stokes shifts, narrow emission bands, and tunable luminescence lifetimes. Despite their advantages, UCNPs suffer from inherently weak light absorption because of the 4f-4f transitions of lanthanide ions. Near-infrared dye-sensitization has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance their absorption, yet the photoconversion performance remains constrained by photobleaching and interfacial energy losses. In this review, we systematically analyze the surface coordination environments and energy transfer pathways that govern dye-sensitized UCNPs. We evaluate critical molecular parameters, such as dye frameworks, surface binding affinity, and triplet-state energy alignment, in conjunction with nanoparticle structural features, including dopant concentration, core-shell architectures, and surface electronic configurations. By providing a fundamental assessment of these photophysical and photochemical processes, we propose targeted optimization strategies to enhance the performance and stability of these hybrid materials for advanced applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4251-2
The human vascular system, characterized by multi-scale topological complexity, serves as the fundamental infrastructure for nutrient transport, hemodynamic regulation, and immune surveillance. Replicating this system is critical for injury repair, disease modeling, and organ-on-a-chip development, yet a key gap persists between structural mimicry and full functional reproduction. This review evaluates how emerging 3D printing strategies are advancing beyond geometric imitation toward integrated physiological functions, thereby helping to bridge this divide. Over the past decade, 3D printing has advanced significantly in functional vascular reconstruction via precise molding and cell-material integration. This review summarizes the latest progress, including material design, molding methods, and structural optimization, focusing on 3D printing breakthroughs in three core scenarios: high-fidelity in vitro vascular models, in vivo tissue functional replacement, and vascularized organ-on-a-chip systems. Furthermore, this review delves into the existing challenges and future prospects of these application directions. Keywords: vascular reconstruction, 3D printing, bionic vessels, hydrogel.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3844-9
Global water scarcity and atmospheric pollution necessitate advanced remediation materials. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer high specific surface areas (up to 7000 m2 g−1), tunable pore sizes (0.3–4.0 nm), and abundant active sites, yet their application is hindered by agglomeration, poor recoverability, and structural fragility. Electrospinning embeds MOFs into polymeric nanofibers, yielding freestanding membranes with three-dimensionally interconnected porous networks that enhance dispersion, operational stability, and handling. This review systematically examines design strategies, mechanistic insights, and performance of electrospun MOF-based nanofibrous membranes for water purification (pharmaceutical residues, heavy metal ions, synthetic dyes, emulsified oils) and air purification (ultrafine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds), benchmarking against conventional counterparts. Recent progress in multifunctional synergistic systems, stimuli-responsive membranes, and enhanced environmental resistance is highlighted. Persistent challenges and future research directions are discussed to guide rational design of advanced MOF-integrated membrane technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3709-4
Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) detoxification of ofloxacin in hyposaline wastewater is hindered by weak built-in electric fields (IEF) and rapid charge recombination. Here, we report a crystal dipole engineering strategy using high-valence Mo-doped BiVO4 to enhance IEF and PEC activity. Mo incorporation breaks lattice symmetry, increasing the crystal dipole moment and amplifying IEF to 2.05 times that of pristine BiVO4. This promotes directional carrier migration, improving electron-hole separation efficiency. The optimized 4% Mo-BiVO4 photoanode achieves 96.5% ofloxacin degradation within 60 minutes and maintains 91.9% degradation efficiency in natural lake water containing saline and organic interferents, demonstrating exceptional anti-interference capability. This work provides a strategy for boosting photocatalytic performance through unit-cell dipole engineering, aiming to enhance sustainability in wastewater treatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3793-9
Organic solar cells (OSCs) require both a high donor/acceptor (D/A) interfacial area for efficient exciton dissociation and a vertically phase-separated morphology for efficient charge transport. Traditional bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) provide large interfacial areas but lack vertical phase separation, while quasi-planar heterojunctions (QPHJs) achieve vertical separation at the cost of reduced interfacial contact. Here, we introduce an in situ pore-forming strategy for polymer thin films. By incorporating an excess of additives as pore-forming agents into the donor layer, a nanoporous film with a fibrous nano-network is generated. Subsequent deposition of acceptor molecules fills these nanopores, creating a hybrid planar/bulk heterojunction (HP/BHJ) that synergizes the strengths of both architectures. This design enhances performance by: (1) increasing the D/A interfacial area via nanopores, forming a three-dimensional network that accelerates exciton dissociation; (2) promoting close molecular packing that minimizes carrier recombination and establishes low-defect charge transport channels; and (3) fostering vertical phase separation through layer-by-layer deposition. Binary OSCs fabricated with this strategy achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.0%, surpassing conventional BHJ and QPHJ devices by a significant margin. The approach demonstrates general applicability, with analogous improvements observed in D18/BTP-eC9-4F and PM6/L8-BO systems, underscoring its potential for advancing OSC performance.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3538-6
The understanding of anion transporting behaviors under sub-nanoconfined regimes can guide the design of high-performance anion selective membranes (ASMs), yet it is little known. Here, we build membrane channels that combine physical rigidity with chemical affinity to anions simply through bridging graphene oxide nanosheets with charged linkers. We observe that the rigidly confined interaction imposed by channels to anions can reconfigure hydration shells in varying degrees for different anions via compensating for hydration-induced energy barriers and differentiating their rearrangement behaviors. During the configuration evolution, water molecules within hydration shells would rotate and simultaneously change their distance from the ion center. Based on the big discrepancy in configuration evolution, these membranes can realize ultrahigh selectivity of, for example, 125 for Cl−/SO4^2− and surpass the performance upper bound concerning Cl−/SO4^2− separation by other membranes. The knowledge of the configuration change of hydration shells during the dehydration process will be key to designing next-generation ASMs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3698-5
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical bottleneck in next-generation sustainable energy systems due to its sluggish kinetics. Developing cost-effective, high-efficiency electrocatalysts requires understanding the dynamic structural evolution at electrode-electrolyte interfaces under operating conditions. In situ techniques are invaluable for identifying active centers and monitoring key intermediates. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in cutting-edge in situ methods for characterizing OER electrocatalyst structure evolution. It provides a brief overview of active motifs and robust structures using multiple in situ correlative techniques, establishing essential structure-performance relationships and updating mechanistic understanding at atomic scale under realistic conditions. Key challenges and perspectives are highlighted to promote rational design of promising electrocatalysts for efficient oxygen-associated electrocatalysis and electrosynthesis.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3642-4
High-density glass scintillators are promising alternatives to crystals for next-generation radiation detection due to their low cost, excellent physical and chemical stability, and processability. In this study, a series of Ce3+-activated gadolinium gallium borosilicate (GGBS x) glasses were synthesized via vacuum melt-quenching. With increasing Gd2O3 content, glass density increased from 5.86 to 6.05 g/cm3, and molar volume from 36.43 to 39.79 cm3/mol. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis revealed that in GGBS 1 glass, Ce3+ exclusively adopts a hexahedral [CeO6] configuration, while Gd3+ exhibits both hexahedral and octahedral coordination with a bond length of 2.35±0.1 Å and Debye-Waller factor σ2 of 0.0122±0.0015 Å2. As Gd2O3 content increased, shallow trap depth rose from 0.804 to 0.858 eV, while deep trap depth first increased from 0.948 to 1.434 eV then decreased to 1.010 eV. GGBS 1 glass exhibited high transmittance (~80%) in the visible range and a photoluminescence quantum yield of 78.4%. Under X-ray irradiation, its X-ray excited luminescence intensity reached 128.5% of that of Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystal, with a spatial resolution of 29.1 lp/mm, approaching the highest reported for glass scintillators. Under γ-ray excitation, it achieved a light yield of 1058 photons/MeV and an energy resolution of 23.7% at 662 keV. These results indicate that GGBS 1 glass scintillator warrants further development for applications in X-ray imaging and γ-ray spectroscopy.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3663-6
Escalating global climate change has precipitated a dramatic surge in building cooling/heating energy demands, critically undermining urban sustainability. Although dynamic thermal management technologies show potential for reducing architectural carbon footprints, prevailing active regulation systems remain constrained by energy-intensive mode-switching mechanisms and unsustainable operational costs. Here, we develop a zebra-inspired radiative modulator (ZIRM) that achieves climate-customized building thermal management through spatially partitioned integration of radiative cooling (RC) and heating (RH) functional units. The material breakthrough resides in a hybrid thin-film architecture combining a cellulose acetate/Zeolitic imidazolate framework-L (ZIF-L) porous membrane (solar reflectance ~95%, thermal emissivity ~0.88) with an MXene/ZIF-67 derived carbon-based absorption layer (solar absorption ~93%, thermal emissivity ~0.37), resolving the opto-thermal coupling limitations inherent to conventional materials. Experimental verification demonstrates that programmable regulation of the RC/RH area ratio enables broad-range temperature differential control from −4.3 to 12.1 °C during daytime operation. Building energy simulations reveal ZIRM’s annual energy consumption of 1.45×10^10 GJ, corresponding to 9.9% and 2.7% reductions compared to pure RC and RH systems, respectively. The established “configuration-environment-performance” predictive model pioneers a paradigm-shifting solution for carbon-neutral architecture, synergizing material innovation with climate-customized engineering strategies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3653-2
Designing photosensitizers with efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) and long-lived triplet excited states is critical for photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, conventional molecular design principles often rely on heavy-atom effects or specific donor-acceptor architectures, limiting generality. Here, we report a facile and rational strategy to convert intrinsically non-photosensitizing fluorophores into effective reactive oxygen species (ROS) generators by introducing guanidinium substituents. The modified photosensitizers exhibit prolonged triplet excited state lifetimes and considerable ROS production, in stark contrast to unmodified fluorophores which show intense fluorescence and negligible ROS generation. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry confirm the formation of stable nitrogen-centered radical cations on the guanidinium moiety, stabilized by p-π conjugation. Mechanistic studies indicate that these radicals promote ISC and prolong triplet state lifetimes. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that guanidinium-modified photosensitizers induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and elicit potent anti-tumor immunity. This work provides a universal and facile strategy for designing organic photosensitizers through stable radical cation-containing building blocks, expanding the scope of PDT agents.
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.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3702-0
Construction of metal-mediated redox sites is an appealing approach to enhance photocatalytic CO2 reduction coupled with H2O oxidation. However, conventional static redox sites generally lack spatiotemporal matching during reaction processes due to the constraints of rigid structure and the linear scaling relationship of adsorbed species. Herein, an alkanolamine-Ir synergistic system was developed, where flexible monoethanolamine (MEA) molecules function as molecular ferries to selectively adsorb CO2 via carbamate formation, while adjacent Ir nanoparticles (NPs) serve as H spillover hubs that relay protons, creating spatiotemporal adaptability that synchronizes CO2 reduction and water oxidation. In addition, time-resolved in situ spectroscopy directly captures the rapid transformation of carbamate intermediates concurrent with sustained IrOOH intermediates formation. Microkinetic modeling further demonstrates that the MEA-Ir modified system (M-Ir/ACN) creates interconnected H spillover networks between Ir NPs and MEA, facilitating efficient proton transport that drives *COOH formation with a favorable thermodynamic energy. As a result, the M-Ir/ACN achieves a 20-fold increase in CO production compared to the pristine sample while maintaining high stability throughout 45 h of continuous operation. This study presents that flexible molecular ferries boost CO2 adsorption, and deciphers how flexible molecular-metal synergy directs the trafficking of CO2-derived intermediates toward highly efficient CO2 photoreduction.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3681-6
Brominated butyl rubber (BIIR) is widely used in tires and biomedical products due to its excellent elasticity and gas barrier properties, but recycling end-of-life BIIR remains challenging because of its covalent cross-linked network. Here, we report a direct upcycling strategy for unmodified waste BIIR via nanoparticle-mediated interfacial crosslinking, avoiding chemical modification or degradation of the polymer structure. Pyridyl-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO2-Py) were synthesized and used to crosslink bromine atoms in waste BIIR with those of fresh BIIR, reconstructing the crosslink network without altering the original sulfur-vulcanization network. The resulting composites exhibit a dual interpenetrating network comprising the sulfur-vulcanized network and a bromine-pyridinium crosslinked silica-rich network, providing exceptional strength and toughness. Using discarded bicycle inner tubes as waste BIIR source, the upcycled composites achieved a tensile strength of ~14 MPa, toughness of ~60 MJ m−3, and ultra-low air permeability of 8.78×10−15 cm3 cm/(cm2 s Pa), significantly outperforming the original inner tube material. This work presents a scalable and effective solution for BIIR waste recycling, advancing sustainable development in the rubber industry.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3747-3
Thermochromic soft materials are flexible functional materials that adaptively tune optical properties (transmittance, reflectance, or scattering) with temperature for thermal modulation. Herein, a laminated thermochromic gel (DEE-DA) is synthesized by encapsulating a thermochromic hydrogel (DA) between two hydrophobic ionogels (DEE) in a stacked configuration. The synergy of multiple dynamic bonds endows the DEE-DA gel with exceptional mechanical properties and remarkable self-healing capability (98.8% at 30 °C). More importantly, attributed to the temperature-responsive reversible cleavage and recombination of hydrogen bonds and borate ester bonds, DEE-DA gel demonstrates tunable transmittance with a light modulation efficiency of 85.45%. In response to the various external conditions, the gel can auto-adjust the optical properties to avoid sun irradiation or heat loss. Accordingly, the gel enables efficient dual-mode thermal modulation across a broad temperature range to realize thermal management. The research proposes gel thermochromism and laminated durability enhancement for adaptive materials in smart buildings and wearables.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507054
In many Chinese wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), residual chlorine is still manually monitored at low frequencies, leading to imprecise disinfectant dosing. This study systematically compared four machine learning models—backpropagation (BP) neural network, long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network, random forest (RF), and support vector regression (SVR)—for predicting chlorine consumption (i.e., the difference between chlorine dose and residual chlorine) during non-monitoring periods under different residual chlorine monitoring frequencies (every 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h). Using data from Plant A (equipped with online residual chlorine monitoring) and Plants B and C (manual monitoring every 6 h and 8 h, respectively), input variables included online water quality indicators (temperature, flow, NH3-N, CODCr, TP, TN) and chlorine dose. Results showed that at 1-h intervals, LSTM achieved the highest prediction accuracy; at 2–4-h intervals, RF performed best; at 6-h or lower frequencies, BP was superior; SVR performed worst across all frequencies. Validation on Plants B and C confirmed BP's optimal performance under low-frequency conditions, and particle swarm optimization (PSO) significantly improved its accuracy. These findings provide a basis for selecting appropriate machine learning models for chlorine consumption prediction under varying monitoring frequencies, particularly low-frequency manual monitoring, thereby supporting precise disinfectant dosing control.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010203
The production and disposal of lithium batteries release not only hazardous metals and particulates but also substantial amounts of harmful organic pollutants. This study focuses on N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) to investigate the environmental release and human exposure of organic pollutants throughout the lithium battery lifecycle. Using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), NMP was quantified in environmental samples from battery production and dismantling facilities, as well as in pyrolysis products from simulated thermal recovery of mainstream lithium batteries. Key release stages were identified: slurry mixing and coating/drying during production; shredding, electrolyte volatilization, and high-temperature pyrolysis during disposal. In unprotected occupational settings, estimated NMP exposure via dust ingestion exceeded reference doses, underscoring the need for health impact assessments and evaluation of protective measures. This research provides critical insights into the environmental release and population exposure of organic pollutants across the lithium battery lifecycle, informing health policy for vulnerable populations.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024113001
Anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (APB) are a phylogenetically diverse group of prokaryotes that perform photosynthesis without oxygen evolution. They possess versatile metabolic capabilities, including anaerobic photophosphorylation, carbon fixation, multi-substrate metabolism, and metal oxidation-reduction, enabling them to thrive in diverse environments such as lakes, rivers, soils, salt lakes, and hot springs. APB play a pivotal role in biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and metals. This review systematically summarizes the metabolic diversity of APB, emphasizing their ability to utilize organic and inorganic compounds as electron donors and carbon sources. We highlight recent advances in understanding extracellular electron transfer (EET) mediated by exogenous electron shuttles and conductive materials, which expand the electron sources available for energy generation and reducing power. In environmental engineering, APB show promise in carbon sequestration, pollutant degradation (including azo dyes and heavy metals), biohydrogen production, and microbial fuel cells. For instance, Rhodopseudomonas palustris can fix CO2 under dark anoxic conditions via syntrophic interspecies electron transfer, achieving enhanced carbon fixation. Additionally, APB-based biohybrid systems incorporating CdS nanoparticles demonstrate light-driven degradation of azo dyes without external electron donors. Challenges remain in scaling up these technologies, optimizing reactor conditions, and understanding metabolic regulation. Future research should focus on genetic engineering to enhance APB performance and integrating APB into circular bioeconomy frameworks.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3449-5
The escalating demand for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in portable electronics and electric vehicles has driven extensive research into advanced electrolytes. Ionic liquids (ILs) and their derived electrolytes, including poly(ionic liquids), ionogels, and IL-functionalized systems, offer significant potential for enhancing the safety and electrochemical performance of LIBs due to their unique properties such as non-volatility, wide electrochemical windows, and excellent thermal stability. These properties enable safer, high-energy, and long-lasting batteries. This review conducts a thorough analysis of the physicochemical properties of ILs and their versatile applications in electrolytes, particularly emphasizing their adaptability to fulfill the specific needs of different battery systems. In liquid electrolyte systems, ILs can function as solvents, interfacial modifiers, and critical components for constructing artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). In (quasi-)solid-state electrolyte systems, ILs can be polymerized to form poly(ionic liquid)s or integrated with organic, inorganic, or composite materials to develop IL-based electrolytes, demonstrating multifunctional electrochemical performance. Finally, the review critically examines the challenges and opportunities in this field, offering insightful perspectives for future advancements.
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/s40843-025-3640-3
Cancer immunotherapy, particularly small-molecule immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), offers low cost and high tumor diffusion but suffers from limited efficacy and systemic toxicity. Here, we engineered non-pathogenic Escherichia coli MG1655 for tumor-targeted and synergistic photothermal immunotherapy. Polydopamine (PDA) was coated onto the bacterial surface via in situ polymerization, followed by noncovalent attachment of the IDO-1 inhibitor NLG919, yielding MG1655@PDA-NLG. The functionalized bacteria retained viability and bioactivity while exhibiting outstanding photothermal conversion. In a murine CT26 colon tumor model, intravenous injection led to effective tumor accumulation within 12 h and complete clearance from major organs by 72 h, with negligible hematological toxicity, confirming hypoxic tumor-targeting and biosafety. Under near-infrared irradiation, the engineered bacteria inhibited tumor growth by over 90%, combining photothermal effect and immunogenic cell death (ICD) to promote dendritic cell maturation. This synergized with suppression of tryptophan metabolism, enhancing CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration. This work demonstrates a simple, safe strategy for surface engineering of bacteria with multiple therapeutic agents, offering a promising approach for precise and combined cancer immunotherapy.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507058
With the rapid development of China's lithium-ion power battery industry, the recycling of large-scale retired batteries has become a critical link for the sustainable development of the new energy vehicle industry. The recovery of cathode materials from spent lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries is a current research hotspot, significant for resource recycling and environmental protection. This study systematically reviews recent progress in recycling technologies for spent LiFePO4 cathode materials, mainly including direct regeneration, pyrometallurgy, and hydrometallurgy. It focuses on analyzing the current research status of key steps in hydrometallurgy, such as leaching of valuable elements, deep removal of impurities, and product regeneration, and compares the advantages and limitations of various methods. Addressing core issues in current recovery processes, such as insufficient high-value utilization of iron and phosphorus resources and difficulty in deep impurity removal, this study proposes corresponding solutions and technical prospects, aiming to provide theoretical reference and engineering guidance for efficient, clean, and high-value recycling of spent LiFePO4 batteries.
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.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010608
This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of 27 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and sediment of the Fuchun River, a tributary of the Qiantang River Basin. Surface water samples were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Total PFAS concentrations (∑PFAS) in surface water ranged from 30.04 to 105.26 ng/L, with mean and median values of 59.64 ng/L and 51.43 ng/L, respectively. The dominant compounds were perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA). Concentrations generally decreased from upstream to downstream, consistent with previous studies. Notably, GenX levels were significantly elevated compared to earlier reports. In sediment, ∑PFAS concentrations ranged from not detected (ND) to 0.59 ng/g dry weight, with mean and median values of 0.14 ng/g and 0.11 ng/g, respectively. PFOA and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were the primary sediment contaminants. Source apportionment indicated that industrial wastewater discharge and sewage treatment plant effluents were the main sources of PFAS in the river. Risk assessment using risk quotients suggested low ecological risks to aquatic organisms for most detected PFAS. However, the presence of short-chain and novel PFAS warrants further investigation due to potential unknown risks.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025010802
Ozone (O3) pollution is a prominent issue in the Guanzhong Plain, necessitating effective control of its precursors, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, studies on VOC pollution characteristics at the county level are scarce. To investigate the summer VOC pollution characteristics and sources in high-altitude towns of the Guanzhong Plain, continuous monitoring of 53 typical VOC species was conducted at two sites in Changwu County, Xianyang City (elevation 1200 m). The spatiotemporal variations of ambient VOCs and their ozone formation potential (OFP) were analyzed, and source apportionment was performed using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model. Results showed that average total VOC (TVOCs) concentrations at the Changwu Government and Changwu Middle School sites were 60.04×10⁻⁹ and 83.28×10⁻⁹, respectively. Oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) dominated, accounting for 55.14% and 62.91% of TVOCs, followed by alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons. Industrial sources contributed the most (43.2%) to VOC emissions in Changwu County, but site-specific differences were observed: the Government site was primarily influenced by solvent use (30.7%) and motor vehicles (19.1%), while the Middle School site was dominated by domestic sources (27.6%) and motor vehicles (20.0%). The average OFP values at the Government and Middle School sites were 258.84×10⁻⁹ and 378.04×10⁻⁹, respectively, with alkenes and OVOCs as the main contributors, originating from industrial emissions, solvent use, and biogenic sources. EKMA curves indicated that Changwu County was in a VOC-limited regime during the observation period, confirming the effectiveness of VOC control for ozone mitigation. These findings provide scientific guidance for local ozone management and offer a paradigm for precise ozone pollution control in county-level regions of the Guanzhong Plain.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605014
Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) are prevalent groundwater contaminants at industrial sites in China. This pilot-scale study evaluated in-situ anaerobic bioremediation of CAHs-contaminated groundwater in a low-permeability bedrock fracture zone at depths up to 40 m. A self-developed anaerobic dechlorinating culture (BS-1), containing Dehalococcoides, Desulfitobacterium, and Dehalogenimonas, was injected alongside carbon sources (sodium citrate and emulsified vegetable oil) and nutrients. Pressurized nitrogen gas injection enhanced the distribution of amendments, achieving a radius of influence of 5.0 m. Over 399 days of monitoring, the combined use of slow-release and soluble carbon sources maintained anaerobic conditions (ORP < -100 mV) for over one year, providing sustained electron donors. The emulsified vegetable oil reduced injection frequency and operational costs. The BS-1 culture effectively dechlorinated vinyl chloride, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and chloroform, achieving removal efficiencies exceeding 95%. At times, groundwater quality met the Class IV standard of GB/T 14848-2017. This study demonstrates a green, economical, and effective solution for CAH-contaminated site remediation, with significant engineering application potential.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3821-2
Stimuli-responsive chiral materials hold significant potential for applications in smart photonic devices, chiral sensors, and data storage. Chiral supramolecular smart responsive materials based on azobenzene (Azo) self-assembly systems have attracted considerable attention due to their dynamic and reversible chirality regulation under external stimuli. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the construction, regulation mechanisms, and functional applications of chiral supramolecular helical structures derived from Azo-based materials. Starting from molecular structure, assembly modes, and external stimuli responsiveness (such as light, heat, solvent, and pH), we discuss precise control over supramolecular chirality, including chiroptical switching, inversion, and asymmetric amplification. Furthermore, the potential applications of assembly materials containing Azo building units in chiroptical properties, chiral recognition, and nanoscopic/macroscopic chiral functional materials are highlighted. We hope this review will provide helpful insights for the design and fabrication of the new generation of smart chiral functional materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3590-8
Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are promising for safer, high-energy solid-state lithium batteries, yet they suffer from low ionic conductivity (10^-5–10^-6 S/cm) and low lithium-ion transference numbers (t_Li+ ≈ 0.2) due to sluggish Li+ diffusion and incomplete salt dissociation. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) hosts exhibit high crystallinity, restricting conduction to amorphous domains, and a narrow electrochemical stability window (~3.6–3.8 V), limiting compatibility with high-voltage cathodes. This study introduces nanoscale Lewis-acid fluorides (e.g., AlF3, 5–10 wt%) into PEO–LiTFSI to address these limitations. The additive preferentially binds TFSI− anions, enhancing salt dissociation and transference number; disrupts PEO crystallinity, increasing amorphous content and segmental mobility; and forms a LiF-rich interphase that suppresses dendrites and parasitic reactions. Symmetric Li|Li cells with AlF3 cycled >3600 h without short-circuit, versus ~550 h for neat PEO. The approach extends to other polymers (polycarbonates, PVDF-HFP) and metal systems (Na, Zn, Mg), promising room-temperature conductivities beyond 10^-4 S/cm, near-unity cation transport, and dendrite-free cycling. This work establishes Lewis-acid fluorides as a versatile strategy to transform polymer electrolytes into actively engineered media for high-performance solid-state batteries.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3717-6
Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based all-solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) hold significant promise for high-specific-energy and high-safety Li batteries, yet suffer from poor mechanical robustness and low Li+-conducting efficiency. Aramid nanofibers (ANFs), with exceptional mechanical strength and abundant intramolecular/intermolecular interactions, are effective additives, but their strictly symmetric interchain interactions generate a highly ordered hydrogen-bond network, producing inert aggregates that compromise electrolyte stability. Here, we construct a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-mediated asymmetric interaction between ANF chains. PEG chains introduce weaker H-bonding acceptor sites, higher steric hindrance, and abundant lithiophilic groups, simultaneously disrupting strong symmetric ANF-ANF interactions and creating rapid Li-ion channels. The resulting electrolyte maintains excellent mechanical properties (yield stress of 3.25 MPa) and enables stable cycling of Li||Li symmetric cells for over 1600 h with low polarization voltage. In LCO||Li cells, the electrolyte achieves a capacity retention of 82.7% after 300 cycles at 1 C, markedly higher than the unmodified counterpart (35.5%). This synergistic optimization of interfacial compatibility and mechanical performance demonstrates a practical route toward safe, high-energy-density all-solid-state polymer batteries.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202508081
Traditional soil thermal remediation requires high temperatures (>300 °C), which can damage soil structure, increase energy consumption, and elevate carbon emissions. This study developed a Cu–CeOx/TiO2 trimetallic catalyst to enable low-temperature thermal remediation of naphthalene-contaminated soil. Using nano-TiO2 as a support, catalysts with varying Cu/Ce ratios were prepared via impregnation-calcination. Material characterization (XRD, TEM, XPS, etc.) revealed that Cu and Ce incorporation induced crystal defects in TiO2, enhancing lattice oxygen activity and electron mobility, thereby generating more oxygen vacancies and hydroxyl radicals. Performance evaluation using a TGA-GC-FTIR-MS platform showed that the catalyst with Cu:Ce = 1:1 achieved the best remediation efficiency, reducing the thermal remediation temperature from 250 °C to 211.5 °C and increasing the removal rate by an average of 19.49% compared to the non-catalyst group at the same temperature. The catalyst facilitated stepwise degradation of naphthalene into smaller organic molecules (alcohols, carboxylic acids, aldehydes) and ultimately into H2O and CO2. This work demonstrates that Cu–CeOx/TiO2 significantly lowers the energy demand of thermal remediation, offering a promising approach for low-carbon remediation of organic-contaminated soils.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509026
Rocky desertification poses a severe threat to ecosystem function in karst regions of southern China. This study, conducted in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, Hunan Province, investigated the adaptive responses of Paulownia fortunei to rocky desertification habitats and its subsequent effects on soil properties. Leaf structural and physiological parameters were measured, alongside soil physicochemical properties. Results demonstrated that P. fortunei enhanced its adaptability through increased leaf thickness (upper epidermis +50%, total +27.38%), palisade tissue thickness (+22.45%), elevated chlorophyll a (+3.55 mg·g−1) and chlorophyll b (+1.39 mg·g−1) contents, and upregulated activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. Planting P. fortunei significantly improved soil structure and fertility: soil bulk density decreased by 0.57 g·cm−3, total porosity increased by 2.41% (0–5 cm) and 3.35% (5–10 cm), field water capacity rose by 18.63% and 18.87%, capillary porosity increased by 11.45% and 14.19%, and soil organic matter content improved from Grade IV to Grade II. These findings indicate a synergistic 'plant adaptation–soil improvement' feedback mechanism, highlighting the potential of P. fortunei for ecological restoration of rocky desertification areas.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025022302
The escalating environmental contamination by mercury ions (Hg2+) poses severe risks to ecosystems and human health, necessitating the development of rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection methods. In this study, Fe1-xS@CNT composite nanozymes were synthesized via a straightforward solvothermal approach. The nanozymes exhibit uniform morphology, structural stability, and significant peroxidase (POD)-like activity. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) facilitates electron transfer, enhancing the Fenton reaction between Fe2+/Fe3+ to generate abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide anions (·O2−). The synergistic action of these ROS and photogenerated holes (h+) promotes the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to a blue-colored product (oxTMB), establishing a colorimetric system of Fe1-xS@CNT + H2O2 + TMB. The specific binding of S2− on the nanozyme surface to Hg2+ inhibits POD activity, reducing the absorbance of the system. This principle was harnessed to develop a colorimetric method for Hg2+ quantification in environmental water samples. The method demonstrates a linear range of 0.1–500 μg·L−1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 μg·L−1. Validation in real water samples (campus and tap water) showed recoveries between 94.4% and 111.1% with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 3.0%, comparable to atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The method offers advantages of simplicity, rapid analysis, and naked-eye visibility, providing a novel approach for on-site monitoring of heavy metal pollutants.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025021901
To assess the impact of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) on the chemical composition of PM2.5, this study analyzed the concentrations, existing forms, and sources of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 collected during summer (June–August) in the northern suburbs of Nanjing for the years 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2019. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in total water-soluble ion concentrations in 2017–2019 compared to 2012, indicating the effectiveness of APPCAP in mitigating PM2.5 pollution. Sulfate (SO4^2−), nitrate (NO3^−), and ammonium (NH4^+) (collectively SNA) were the dominant ionic species, contributing 69.98%–92.58% of the total ion mass, with SO4^2− being the most abundant. In the summers of 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 exhibited alkaline properties, and SNA primarily existed as NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4. Conversely, in 2019, PM2.5 became acidic, with SNA present as NH4NO3 and NH4HSO4. The nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) and sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR) indicated that NO3^− and SO4^2− predominantly originated from secondary reactions, with SO2 undergoing secondary conversion more readily than NO2, and the degree of secondary conversion increasing annually. Source apportionment revealed a shift from long-range transport in 2013 to local and regional sources by 2017. These findings underscore the success of APPCAP in reducing primary emissions and altering the chemical speciation of secondary inorganic aerosols, while highlighting the persistent dominance of sulfate and the need for continued SO2 emission controls.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606022
This study presents a numerical simulation of the internal flow field in a volatile organic compounds (VOCs) catalytic combustion reactor used in an enameled wire enterprise. Using ANSYS Fluent, the effects of inlet expansion section length, inlet expansion section angle, and catalyst bed spacing on the velocity field were systematically investigated. Additionally, the influence of heating tube configuration on the temperature field was analyzed. The results indicate that an expansion section length of 250 mm is optimal, balancing spatial constraints and the avoidance of recirculation zones. A zero-degree expansion angle yields the most uniform velocity distribution, though practical considerations necessitate case-specific angle selection. A catalyst bed spacing of 0.05 m satisfies the engineering requirement of maintaining pressure drop across a single catalyst layer below 200 Pa while significantly improving gas distribution within the bed. Alternating heating tubes on both sides of the reactor enhance temperature uniformity and elevate the overall catalyst bed temperature, thereby promoting efficient VOCs catalytic combustion. These findings provide quantitative guidance for reactor design optimization, contributing to improved catalytic performance and extended catalyst lifespan.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3889-6
Photocatalytic hydrogen production is fundamentally limited by inefficient charge separation and asynchronous supply of electrons and protons to active sites. Here, we designed a ZnIn2S4/ZnCo2S4 (ZIS/ZCS) heterojunction with an atomically coherent interface achieved via an ultralow lattice mismatch of 0.05%. This unique structure promotes rapid electron transfer through a built-in electric field and facilitates continuous proton migration via a hydrogen spillover effect, thereby synchronizing electron and proton delivery at the catalytic interface. This dual regulation of electrons and protons synergistically promotes proton-coupled electron transfer, resulting in a high hydrogen evolution rate of 70.3 mmol g−1 h−1 and selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to aldehyde (39.3 mmol g−1 h−1) with 93.6% selectivity. This work demonstrates the critical importance of lattice match and dual charge-proton management in designing efficient photocatalysts for complex redox reactions.
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/s40843-025-3976-x
The discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in bilayer nickelate La3Ni2O7−δ (La-327) under high pressure and in thin films at ambient pressure has opened new avenues in superconductivity research. However, La-327 exhibits a narrow phase stability range, leading to stacking faults that suppress bulk superconductivity. Chemical substitutions, particularly at the A-site with smaller rare-earth ions, have been shown to enhance phase purity and reduce stacking faults, while also increasing the orthorhombic distortion and chemical pressure. In this work, we apply the high-entropy (HE) strategy to stabilize the 327 phase with reduced average A-site ionic radius (rA). We successfully synthesized medium-entropy La1.2Pr0.6Nd0.6Sm0.6Ni2O7−δ (ME-327) and high-entropy La0.67Pr0.67Nd0.67Sm0.33Eu0.33Gd0.33Ni2O7−δ (HE-327) polycrystalline samples. These compositions satisfy medium- and high-entropy criteria, with rA values of 1.181 Å and 1.164 Å, respectively. The samples are phase-pure and homogeneous. HE-327 exhibits the lowest cell volume, largest orthorhombicity, and shortest interlayer Ni-Ni distance among reported bilayer nickelates. Physical property measurements reveal low electrical conductivity and a high density-wave (DW) transition temperature. Under high pressure, HE-327 shows a resistivity anomaly at 103 K under 31 GPa, suggesting a possible superconducting transition. Extrapolation indicates that Tc under high pressure exceeds 100 K for HE-327, correlating with reduced rA and enhanced interlayer coupling. Our results demonstrate the ionic size effect and the effectiveness of the HE approach in stabilizing bilayer nickelates, providing a new avenue for developing superconducting materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4053-5
The rapid and efficient removal of radioactive iodine species from water is critical for nuclear waste treatment, particularly given the short half-life of 131I (8.02 days). Traditional porous inorganic materials exhibit low uptake capacities (<1 g g−1), while porous frameworks such as MOFs and COFs achieve high capacities (>5 g g−1) but suffer from slow removal kinetics, often requiring hours to capture 80% of iodine. This study introduces nonporous naphthobipyrrole-based organic cages (NBP-Cages) that demonstrate ultrafast iodine removal from water. Among the materials tested, type-II Me-NBP-Cage and Et-NBP-Cage, prepared via reprecipitation, exhibit amorphous morphology with small particle sizes (2–6 μm) and low BET surface areas (33.4 and 2.3 m2 g−1, respectively). Despite their nonporosity, these materials achieve >99% iodine removal within seconds, outperforming previously reported sorbents. The adsorption performance correlates with particle size and morphology: amorphous, small particles with effective surface gaps show superior kinetics. The materials are recyclable; for instance, Et-NBP-Cage can be regenerated by washing with acetonitrile, maintaining removal efficiency over five cycles. This work highlights the potential of nonporous organic cages as high-performance iodine sorbents, addressing the critical need for materials that combine high uptake capacity with rapid removal kinetics.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511002
To treat large-air-volume, low-concentration volatile organic compounds (VOCs) containing tetrachloroethylene (PCE) generated from rubber-metal bonding, this study systematically investigated the adsorption-desorption behavior and interaction mechanisms of PCE, toluene, and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) on granular activated carbon (GAC). Static adsorption experiments showed that PCE adsorption capacity reached 556.6 mg·g−1, while dynamic multi-component adsorption capacity was 179.6 mg·g−1. Kinetic analysis indicated that PCE adsorption was controlled by both intraparticle diffusion and external surface adsorption, whereas toluene and MIBK were primarily intraparticle diffusion-limited. During high-temperature nitrogen desorption, PCE underwent dechlorination, hydrogenation, and recombination, producing trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, and HCl, with HCl accounting for 3.61% of the chlorine molar content in adsorbed PCE. After four adsorption-desorption cycles, the iodine value of GAC dropped below the industry standard of 600 mg·g−1; however, water washing and alkali immersion extended the cycle life to 8 and 9 cycles, respectively. The HCl generation pattern in co-adsorption systems was consistent with single-PCE systems. A regeneration process combining alkali immersion and water washing was proposed and integrated into an engineering strategy. Compared to conventional activated carbon adsorption coupled with RTO incineration, the proposed classification strategy reduced annual costs by 49.5×10⁴ CNY. This work provides a cost-effective and safe solution for Cl-VOCs treatment.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60650-0
Aldehydes and ketones are valuable oxygen-containing organic intermediates essential for synthesizing fine chemicals, fuels, and materials. Lignocellulosic biomass, as the most abundant renewable carbon resource with an annual production exceeding 180 billion tons, offers a sustainable route to produce platform carbonyl compounds such as furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and low-molecular-weight aliphatic ketones via pyrolysis. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in catalytic pyrolysis of biomass for aldehyde and ketone production. It first outlines the structural features, types, and biomass-derived origins of typical carbonyl platform molecules. Second, it compares the decomposition pathways and intermediate evolution behaviors of cellulose-rich, hemicellulose-rich, and lignin-rich biomasses under non-catalytic pyrolysis, clarifying the influence of multicomponent synergistic effects on aldehyde and ketone formation. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanistic roles and dominant reaction pathways of metal salts, metal oxides, and carbon-based catalytic systems in regulating key steps such as dehydration, decarbonylation, C−O/C−C bond cleavage, and skeletal rearrangement. The review identifies major challenges, including unclear catalyst structure-activity relationships, inadequate active site stability, and limited product selectivity. Future perspectives propose rational design of multilevel structured catalysts, integration of in situ characterization with multiscale simulation, and development of green scale-up and process integration strategies. This work aims to provide a systematic theoretical reference for high-value biomass utilization and renewable carbon conversion.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60675-5
Hydrogen as an energy carrier offers a promising route to mitigate environmental issues from fossil fuel use. Efficient and inexpensive electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media are critical for advancing alkaline water electrolyzers. Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) are promising (pre-)catalysts for OER. This dataset compiles and compares the electrocatalytic OER activity of nickel- and cobalt-based phosphides. The phosphides were synthesized via solvothermal phosphidization or electrodeposition, and their OER activities were evaluated using linear sweep voltammetry in 1 mol/L KOH. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were also performed. The dataset comprises 312 files totaling 14.5 MB. It provides key electrocatalytic parameters and enables analysis of the influence of metal doping, solvothermal conditions (solvent and precursors), and crystallinity on OER activity. This dataset serves as a benchmark for evaluating Ni and Co phosphide materials for alkaline OER and provides a foundation for designing more active TMP-based electrocatalysts through comparative analysis. The materials may also be applied to other reactions such as hydrogen evolution, alcohol oxidation, and CO2 reduction, relevant to fuel cells, electrolyzers, and metal-air batteries, as well as in lithium/sodium-ion batteries and anticorrosion coatings.
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.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025031102
Laccases are promising biocatalysts for environmental remediation, yet their application is hindered by the instability and limited substrate affinity of wild-type enzymes. Here, we report a computational strategy integrating homology modeling, molecular docking, and virtual mutagenesis to engineer high-performance laccase mutants targeting benzene-containing pollutants. Structural analysis revealed that fungal laccase (Trametes versicolor, T.v) exhibited stronger binding affinities for aniline, o-phenylenediamine, and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) compared to bacterial laccase (Bacillus subtilis, B.s), attributed to optimized hydrophobic and hydrogen-bond interactions within the substrate-binding pocket. Virtual mutagenesis identified critical residues (e.g., Ser113, Leu459) regulating substrate stability. Notably, mutations at Ser113 to Arg/Glu/Leu significantly enhanced binding energy (ΔG ≤ −7.1 kcal·mol−1 for HBT) by narrowing the pocket exit and reinforcing hydrophobic constraints. Mechanistically, polar mutations in the pocket interior promoted hydrogen bonding, while hydrophobic substitutions at peripheral residues restricted substrate dissociation. Our findings establish a dual-region engineering principle—enhancing hydrogen bonds internally and hydrophobicity externally—to optimize laccase activity. This work provides a generalizable framework for the rational design of oxidoreductases in pollutant degradation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3980-y
Organic solar cells (OSCs) have achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 20% in laboratory-scale devices, yet challenges persist in developing cost-effective charge-transporting materials (CTMs) that ensure high performance and long-term stability. Conventional organic CTMs such as PEDOT:PSS and PDINN suffer from thermal instability due to molecular diffusion and phase segregation. Solution-processed metal oxides (MOs) offer excellent stability and cost-effectiveness but are plagued by surface defects, particularly hydroxyl groups, which act as recombination centers and photocatalytic sites, degrading device interfaces. Here, we develop an organic-inorganic hybrid strategy to homogeneously passivate solution-processible semiconducting MOs. By first synthesizing MOs rich in surface hydroxyl groups and then introducing organic molecules, we achieve chemically homogeneous passivation that mitigates surface defects. This approach enables favorable interfacial energy level alignment, enhanced charge extraction, and tunable surface energy. Employing these passivated MOs as electron transport layers (ZnO) and hole transport layers (NiOx), we achieve a champion PCE of 20.22% for all-MO CTM-based OSCs, the highest reported to date. Scalability is demonstrated via ambient blade-coating, yielding 18.33% PCE for large-area cells (1.44 cm2) and 16.03% for modules (20.05 cm2), with material costs estimated at only 4% of organic counterparts. Furthermore, devices exhibit outstanding stability, retaining over 80% of initial PCE after 1300 h of maximum power point tracking and over 1000 h of thermal annealing at 85°C. This work establishes a new benchmark for cost-effective, high-performance organic photovoltaics.
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.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60674-3
Conducting polymers are promising electrode materials for aqueous ion batteries and supercapacitors due to their high conductivity, environmental friendliness, and flexibility. Electropolymerization enables controlled deposition of these polymers onto conductive substrates, tuning loading, morphology, and structure. This dataset systematically compares the electrochemical energy storage performance of conducting polymers derived from monomers including 1,10-phenanthroline, 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, o-aminophenol, 1,5-diaminonapthalene, s-triazine, and aromatic molecules with multiple carbonyl and imino groups. Aqueous electrolytes investigated include sulfuric acid, zinc sulfate, ammonium sulfate, potassium hydroxide, and zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate solutions. Galvanostatic charge-discharge at various mass-normalized current densities was employed to evaluate specific capacities. The dataset comprises 266 MB across 490 files, providing key parameters such as specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability. Analysis of this data enables inference on the influence of polymer structure and electrolyte composition on charge storage. This resource serves as a reference for the rational design of high-performance conducting polymer electrodes for aqueous energy storage devices.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025041904
Non-fentanyl opioids, a subclass of new synthetic opioids (NSOs), have emerged as the fastest-growing category of new psychoactive substances (NPS) globally, driven by regulatory tightening on fentanyl analogs. Their structural diversity, rapid in vivo metabolism, and multiple metabolic pathways complicate detection in biological matrices, posing significant challenges for forensic toxicology and environmental monitoring. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) remains the gold standard for trace-level quantification due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. This review systematically examines the classification, toxicological profiles, and metabolic routes of non-fentanyl opioids, including AH-7921, MT-45, U-47700, brorphine, and nitazenes. It critically evaluates sample preparation techniques—solid-phase extraction (SPE), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and protein precipitation (PPT)—highlighting their efficiency, recovery rates, and matrix effects. Furthermore, it synthesizes recent advances in LC-MS methodologies, including high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), with emphasis on multiplex detection capabilities, limits of detection (LODs) reaching sub-ng/mL levels, and validation parameters. The review underscores the necessity for continuous analytical innovation to keep pace with emerging NSOs and provides a technical framework for accurate identification in forensic and environmental contexts.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025041105
Online measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were conducted in the central urban area of Shenyang from June 1 to August 31, 2022, to analyze concentration levels and ozone formation potential (OFP). The initial concentrations of VOCs were estimated using the photochemical age parameter method to correct for photochemical losses. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied for source apportionment. The average mass concentration of total VOCs (TVOCs) was (27.29 ± 15.96) μg·m−3, with alkanes (50.3%) as the dominant component; key species included propane, ethane, methanethiol, and ethylene. The OFP of TVOCs was (64.30 ± 66.41) μg·m−3, with alkenes (63.5%) as the main contributor; key reactive species were ethylene, propylene, m/p-xylene, toluene, and isoprene. Daytime photochemical loss of VOCs reached 2.40 μg·m−3, with alkenes (67.1%) dominating. PMF based on initial concentrations identified five major sources: vehicle emissions (56.2%), solvent usage (21.5%), combustion sources (8.9%), industrial emissions (7.5%), and natural sources (5.9%). Compared to PMF results based on directly monitored concentrations, contributions from vehicle emissions, combustion sources, and solvent usage decreased, while industrial emissions increased. The organic chemical industry source was not identified, and a new natural source contribution was recognized. These findings underscore the importance of photochemical loss correction in source apportionment and highlight key species and sources for ozone pollution control in Shenyang.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026050701
Azo food colorants are persistent aquatic pollutants posing risks to ecosystems and human health. Utilizing biomass waste to produce low-cost activated carbon offers a sustainable strategy for their removal. In this study, activated carbon (HPR-AC) was synthesized from Haematococcus pluvialis residue via phosphoric acid activation, and its adsorption performance was evaluated using Sunset Yellow (SY), Ponceau 4R (P4R), and Tartrazine (TY) as model pollutants. The effects of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, and temperature on adsorption efficiency were systematically examined. Characterization by BET, FTIR, XRD, and XPS revealed that HPR-AC possesses a high specific surface area and an abundant mesoporous structure. The adsorption process was well described by the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, indicating monolayer chemisorption and an endothermic nature. At pH 5 and 55 °C, the maximum adsorption capacities reached 67.12, 79.72, and 72.75 mg·g−1 for SY, P4R, and TY, respectively. Statistical physics modeling further suggested a multilayer physical adsorption mechanism, primarily governed by pore filling, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and charge transfer. These findings provide both theoretical insights and empirical data for the valorization of H. pluvialis residue and the development of efficient, sustainable adsorbents for azo dye removal from water.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3987-x
A hierarchically porous nickel salicylate (Ni-SA) metal-organic framework (MOF) was constructed via a salicylate coordination strategy to precisely modulate the microenvironment of nickel active sites for efficient electrocatalytic glucose oxidation. The ortho-hydroxy-carboxylate chelation directs atomic-level organization of Ni2+ sites within nanobelt assemblies, maximizing active site accessibility. Robust Ni–O coordination stabilizes Ni3+ intermediates during C–H bond cleavage, leading to remarkable catalytic stability. The optimized Ni-SA-2 catalyst achieved a high sensitivity of 5.97 mA mM−1 cm−2 and a low detection limit of 0.71 μM (S/N = 3), with 85.4% current retention after 8 h continuous operation. This design paradigm demonstrates universal applicability, as evidenced by successful extension to isostructural M-SA analogs (M = Co, Fe, Cr, Mn) under identical synthetic conditions, establishing metal-salicylate frameworks as a versatile electrocatalyst platform.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4082-6
High-performance nonvolatile memory devices are crucial for next-generation computing, yet achieving low-power, stable, and reproducible resistive switching remains challenging, primarily due to stochastic filament formation and limited precise control over the electronic properties of active materials. Herein, we employ a rational molecular engineering strategy to address these limitations by constructing a series of two-dimensional pyrene-based covalent organic frameworks (Py-COFs)—Py-H, Py-CH3, and Py-OH—via systematic substitution (–H, –CH3, and –OH) on the phenyl linkers to modulate backbone electronics. The electron-donating –CH3 and –OH motifs enrich the π-conjugated backbone with higher electron density, while the –OH moiety in Py-OH further engages in p-π conjugation with the benzene ring and forms intramolecular hydrogen bonds, thereby increasing framework rigidity, enhancing orbital overlap, and promoting charge delocalization. Enabled by these structural refinements, Py-OH-based devices exhibit markedly improved resistive switching behavior, characterized by a low operating voltage, an ON/OFF ratio of ~10^3.45, and excellent retention stability. Combined photophysical, electrochemical, and high-resolution TEM analyses corroborate that hydroxyl-driven p-π conjugation, hydrogen-bond reinforcement, and the emergent nanowire-like morphology synergistically suppress uncontrolled filament formation and promote efficient charge transport. These findings establish a clear structure-property correlation in functionalized Py-COFs and underscore their promise as tunable active layers for low-power, high-performance resistive memory and neuromorphic computing.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60667-6
The introduction of an appropriate amount of Cu effectively enhances the catalytic performance of ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalysts in CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. However, systematic studies on the effect of Cu content in ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalysts remain limited. In this work, a ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution and a series of Cu/ZnO/ZrO2-x catalysts (x = 0.3, 0.7 and 0.9, denoting the molar ratio of Cu/(Cu+Zn+Zr)) were prepared by co-precipitation method. Among these catalysts, the Cu/ZnO/ZrO2-0.7 catalyst exhibited the optimal catalytic performance, with a space-time yield of methanol (162.7 g/(kg·h)) that was 6.6 times higher than that of the ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalyst (24.8 g/(kg·h)) at 250 °C. Structural characterizations reveal that the introduction of an appropriate amount of Cu led to the coexistence of a solid solution and individual metal oxides, and promoted the formation of medium-strength basic sites. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) results further confirm that Cu introduction facilitated the conversion of key reaction intermediates. This work provides a systematic investigation of the influence of Cu content on the methanol synthesis performance of ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalysts and elucidates the promotional mechanism induced by Cu incorporation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4064-1
Bacterial infections and the accelerating rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demand innovative antibacterial strategies beyond conventional antibiotics. Copper single-atom catalysts (Cu-SACs), featuring atomically dispersed active sites and tunable electronic structures, offer potent multimodal catalytic antibacterial functions. This review summarizes recent advances in the design, mechanisms and applications of Cu-SACs in antimicrobial technologies. We first outline four major synthesis routes: thermal activation, solvent-mediated strategies, energy-intensive methods and template-etching approaches, enabling high loading, stable anchoring and scalable, environmentally compatible production. We then dissect the multimodal antibacterial mechanisms of Cu-SACs: functioning as nanozymes to catalyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; acting as photosensitizers to enable photocatalytic and photothermal bactericidal activity; and integrating these pathways with gas therapy, controlled ion release and immune modulation to construct multidimensional antimicrobial networks capable of eradicating drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms. We further discuss the substantial potential of Cu-SACs across three application domains: chemical-free, high-efficiency disinfection and real-time monitoring in water purification; durable self-disinfecting performance in antimicrobial textiles; and precision infection management in biomedical settings through integrated “bactericidal-anti-inflammatory-tissue-repair” therapeutic frameworks for both superficial and deep-tissue infections. Finally, we examine the challenges and future directions for the clinical translation and precise antimicrobial deployment of Cu-SACs, providing a conceptual foundation and practical guidance for advancing atomically engineered antibacterial materials from laboratory research to industrial applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4196-x
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for safe, low-cost energy storage, but accurate cathode characterization is essential for understanding their electrochemical behavior. This study identifies a critical artifact: routine air-drying of deeply discharged cathodes triggers spontaneous aerial oxidation, which distorts post-mortem analysis. Using NH4V4O10 (NVO) as a model cathode, we show that ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of discharged electrodes reveals only V4+/V5+ signals, with no detectable V3+, implying a theoretical capacity of only 245.5 mAh g−1, yet experimentally measured capacity reaches ~334.5 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. This discrepancy arises because air exposure during sample preparation oxidizes the reduced vanadium states, leading to a self-charging effect that recovers ~83% of capacity. Electrochemical re-oxidation (EO-NVO) is superior to aerial oxidation (AO-NVO), producing a stable, long-range ordered bulk structure with efficient Zn2+ transport channels, whereas aerial oxidation induces only superficial changes and structural disorder. These findings resolve a key analytical inconsistency and reveal a novel capacity-contribution pathway, with direct implications for accurate material assessment and advanced battery design.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4050-2
Fiber electronics have evolved from passive conduits to active devices with sensing, powering, and display functions, yet their computational capabilities remain constrained by reliance on external rigid chips. This highlight reviews a recent breakthrough by Wang et al. that integrates high-density integrated circuits directly into elastic polymer fibers, achieving a multilayered spiral architecture with an unprecedented integration density of 100,000 transistors per centimeter. The fabrication process employs a highly flat polymer substrate with parylene encapsulation, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) interlayer with modulus-gradient heterostructure, and adhesive interlayers with thickened edges to ensure mechanical robustness and uniformity. The resulting fiber-integrated circuits (FICs) demonstrate versatile computing functions, including digital logic gates (NOR, NAND, XOR, RS latches) and analog circuits (amplifiers, waveform generators). By incorporating organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), the FICs achieve neural-style computing with 99.8% accuracy on the Olivetti Research Laboratory database. Notably, the FICs withstand 100,000 cycles of abrasion and 1-mm bending, indicating exceptional mechanical durability. This work addresses the critical bottleneck of integrating dense microdevice arrays into soft, cylindrical fibers, paving the way for truly intelligent and interactive fiber systems suitable for wearable and biomedical applications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3643-8
Inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) suffer from defect-mediated nonradiative recombination and inefficient charge extraction, particularly at the buried interface and grain boundaries (GBs), which limit power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operational stability. This study introduces a multifunctional phosphonic acid molecule, (2-(3,6-bis(trifluoromethoxy)-9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl)phosphonic acid (M28), as an additive in the perovskite precursor solution. M28 spontaneously segregates toward the buried interface and GBs, fulfilling three roles: (1) slowing crystallization to enlarge grains and improve film quality, (2) passivating defects to suppress charge recombination, and (3) inducing p-type doping to create an extra electric field that promotes hole transport. Devices incorporating M28 achieve a champion PCE of 25.96% and retain 80% of initial efficiency after 1500 h of maximum power point tracking. This work demonstrates the efficacy of multifunctional phosphonic acid additives in addressing buried-interface and GB defects, offering a viable route to high-performance, stable inverted PSCs.