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.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024083002
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for human health, and dietary intake through Se-rich crops is the primary route. However, total soil Se content does not directly reflect the bioavailability to plants, which depends largely on soil available Se. This study, conducted in Shipai Town, Longshan County, Hunan Province, used 1:50,000 land quality geochemical survey data to investigate factors influencing the Se bioaccumulation coefficient in maize kernels. Soil pH, CaO, and MgO were identified as significantly positively correlated with the bioaccumulation coefficient and were selected as proxies for soil available Se. A random forest (RF) model was developed to predict maize grain Se content and assess the feasibility of cultivating Se-rich maize in low-Se farmland. Results showed that although soil Se was deficient, 53.64% of maize grain samples met the Se-rich product standard (0.02–0.30 mg·kg−1). Compared with multiple linear regression, the RF model exhibited higher accuracy and reliability. The RF model predicted that 40.91% of farmland in the study area is suitable for natural Se-rich maize cultivation, representing a 25.86% increase over the area identified by soil total Se alone. This study provides a novel methodological framework for planting natural Se-rich maize in Se-deficient regions, validating the potential for such cultivation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3833-1
Developing plasmonic nanomaterials with compositions beyond noble metals is crucial for expanding their applications. Transition metal nitrides, such as titanium nitride (TiN), exhibit excellent plasmonic optical properties and photothermal conversion efficiency, showing promise in catalysis, photothermal therapy, and seawater desalination. However, the structure-property relationship governing their plasmonic optical properties remains unclear. Here, we constructed Au@TiN core-shell nanostructures and systematically investigated the tunability of their geometry, composition, and optical properties. By varying the Au core size and TiN shell thickness, we achieved precise control over the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from visible to near-infrared wavelengths. Single-particle scattering spectroscopy revealed distinct plasmon hybridization modes, with experimental spectra matching theoretical simulations. The Au@TiN nanostructures exhibited enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency (η = 78.5%) under 808 nm laser irradiation, significantly outperforming pure TiN nanoparticles (η = 45.2%). This work demonstrates multi-factor control over plasmonic effects in TiN, providing insights for designing TiN-based plasmonic nanomaterials for catalysis and sensing.
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.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60645-7
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from diverse sources severely impact atmospheric environment and human health. Manganese (Mn)-based catalysts, with exceptional structural diversity and abundant redox versatility, are widely used in catalytic combustion of VOCs. This review summarizes the catalytic performance of various Mn-based catalysts, emphasizing preparation strategies for high-performance materials and systematically analyzing how active site construction influences VOC combustion. Catalytic oxidation mechanisms are expounded in detail. Key aspects include MnOx polymorphs, doping with alkali metals (e.g., K+), transition metal composites (Co, Cu), and noble metal loading (Pt, Pd, Au). Performance metrics such as T90 values, oxygen vacancy concentrations, and specific surface areas are discussed. The review provides insights into deactivation mechanisms and anti-poisoning strategies, offering practical guidance for VOC pollution remediation.