Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507111
This study investigated the effects of a ring-shaped pulsed electric field (PEF) (1.5 V, 4 h on-time per cycle) on nitrogen removal performance and microbial community structure of anammox granular sludge (AnGS). Two anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (R1 control, R2 with PEF) were operated under stepwise increasing nitrogen loading rates (NLR). At NLR below 1,155 mg·(L·d)−1, R2 exhibited total nitrogen removal efficiency (TRE) 7.5%–17.0% higher than R1, with biomass, specific anammox activity (SAA), and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) increased by 5%–7%, 21%–71%, and 54%–77%, respectively. However, at NLR above 1,320 mg·(L·d)−1, the toxic effect of nitrite dominated, and PEF enhancement diminished or even reversed to inhibition. Microbial community analysis revealed that at low-to-moderate NLR, PEF increased the relative abundance of Planctomycetes and key anammox bacteria (Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Jettenia), along with enhanced community richness (Chao1) and diversity (Shannon/Simpson indices). At high NLR, PEF decreased microbial richness compared to R1. Principal component analysis and redundancy analysis indicated that PEF was the key factor driving community differences at low-to-moderate NLR, whereas nitrite concentration became the dominant factor at high NLR. This study provides theoretical support for enhancing the resilience and engineering application of anammox processes.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(25)60612-8
Coal gasification fine slag (CGFS) is a solid waste generated in large quantities during coal gasification, containing residual carbon and inorganic ash rich in SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, and MgO. The carbon-rich components (CGFS-H) of CGFS, typically comprising 20–50% residual carbon, present both environmental challenges and opportunities for resource recovery. This study systematically investigates the selective leaching behavior of Fe3+, Al3+, and Ca2+ from CGFS-H using three organic acid extractants: citric acid, tartaric acid, and tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (IDS-4Na). The results demonstrate distinct selectivity: IDS-4Na exhibits the highest leaching yield and selectivity for Fe3+, achieving a single leaching yield of 41.2% while suppressing Ca2+ and Al3+ leaching to below 4%, with a selectivity ratio of Fe3+ to Al3+ and Ca2+ of 10.73. Tartaric acid effectively leaches both Fe3+ and Al3+, with single yields of 38.7% and 33.5%, respectively, while Ca2+ leaching remains below 5%, yielding a selectivity of Fe3+ and Al3+ relative to Ca2+ of 14.73. Citric acid preferentially leaches Ca2+, achieving a single yield of 71.5%, but also leaches Fe3+ and Al3+ at 35.2% and 39.1%, respectively, resulting in a low selectivity ratio of Ca2+ to Fe3+ and Al3+ of 0.96. Based on these selective affinities, a green stepwise separation method was developed using sequential leaching with IDS-4Na, tartaric acid, and citric acid. Under optimal conditions, cumulative leaching yields of 79.8% for Fe3+, 65.08% for Al3+, and 78.6% for Ca2+ were achieved. XRD, XRF, and SEM analyses elucidate the complexation mechanisms, indicating that the synergistic effects of selective coordination between structurally diverse organic acids and metal ions drive the process. This advancement provides a critical foundation for developing Ca/Fe/Al hydrotalcite materials using CGFS-H as a sustainable feedstock, promoting resource-efficient utilization of coal gasification fine slag.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025012501
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant posing potential risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study assessed the developmental toxicity of DBP in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos. Embryos were exposed to gradient DBP concentrations (1, 5, 50, 500 μg·L−1, and 5 mg·L−1) for 15 days. Endpoints included embryonic heart rate, hatching time, survival rate, larval swimming behavior, and expression of genes related to cardiovascular, nervous, thyroid, antioxidant systems, and estrogenic effects. Results showed that 5 mg·L−1 DBP significantly reduced embryonic heart rate (P < 0.0001), leading to hatching failure and mortality. Exposure to 500 μg·L−1 DBP significantly reduced hatching rate (P < 0.01) and survival rate (P < 0.0001). DBP exposure caused developmental delay, cardiovascular hemorrhage, spinal curvature, yolk sac edema, and inhibited larval swimming behavior. At the molecular level, DBP significantly altered expression of atrap, dkk1, bnpa, fx, and dvl mRNA, affecting cardiovascular development; downregulated trha, mbp, and elavl3 mRNA, indicating endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity; upregulated cat, gpx2, and gsta mRNA, inducing oxidative stress; and upregulated vtg1, erβ1, and chgl mRNA, demonstrating estrogenic effects. This study demonstrates that DBP exposure adversely affects growth, development, hatching, survival, swimming behavior, and gene expression in Japanese medaka embryos, highlighting ecological risks of DBP pollution in aquatic environments.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3742-5
Nematic liquid crystal elastomers (NLCEs) exhibit excellent mechanical properties and diverse deformation modes, while cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) as photonic crystals (PCs) possess superior optical performance and intelligent response characteristics. Combining these two elastomers into a monolithic material is a challenging yet promising endeavor. Here, we designed and synthesized a new diselenide-bonded molecule (DSeAc), whose lower bond energy between selenium atoms endows it with excellent bond exchange ability. Consequently, two LCE matrices containing DSeAc molecules can achieve seamless bonding under mild conditions via dynamic diselenide bond exchange. By integrating a CLCE film and an NLCE actuator into a monolithic film, we enable the integration of two functional components, whose functional characteristics can be tailored as required. This function block combination strategy offers a promising pathway for developing smart materials with complex functions, showing great potential in information storage, anti-counterfeiting, and biomimetics.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606007
Cobalt-aluminum spinel metal oxides derived from hydrotalcite were synthesized via hydrothermal, coprecipitation, and sol-gel methods, and their catalytic performance for NO oxidation was systematically evaluated. Characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), O2 temperature-programmed desorption (O2-TPD), H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the synthesis method significantly influences the surface Co2+/Co3+ ratio, which in turn modulates the formation of surface oxygen vacancies. The hydrothermally synthesized catalyst (CoAlO-H) exhibited the highest density of surface oxygen vacancies, leading to enhanced adsorption and activation of gaseous oxygen and superior NO oxidation activity compared to coprecipitation (CoAlO-C) and sol-gel (CoAlO-S) counterparts. Mechanistic studies using NO-TPD, NO+O2-TPD, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS) identified nitrates as key intermediates. Notably, CoAlO-C and CoAlO-S followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) mechanism, whereas CoAlO-H operated via both L-H and Mars-van Krevelen (MvK) mechanisms. The exceptional performance of CoAlO-H is attributed to its abundant surface oxygen vacancies, high surface oxygen mobility, and low decomposition temperature of reaction intermediates. These findings provide a rational basis for designing efficient non-precious metal catalysts for NO oxidation in diesel exhaust aftertreatment.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3893-y
Perovskite photolithography, an emerging research frontier, combines the unique properties of perovskite materials with lithographic processes for advanced optoelectronic applications. Currently, bottom-up photolithography is preferred due to perovskites’ intrinsic characteristics, while top-down photolithography offers better compatibility with mature semiconductor manufacturing workflows. In this study, we innovatively propose an integrated technology that merges top-down photolithography with in situ phase-transition strategy. Utilizing non-emissive Cs4PbBr6 perovskite single crystals (SCs) as both structural templates and reaction sources, we achieve spatially selective patterning by precise wet and dry etching, followed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-induced Cs4PbBr6 to CsPbBr3 phase transition. This process facilitates the direct fabrication of highly emissive CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 microstructure patterns inside Cs4PbBr6 SCs. Such a synergistic approach simplifies perovskite photolithography procedures and enables rapid, large-scale manufacturability. Furthermore, its integration with machine learning optimization algorithms showcases promising application potential in intelligent anti-counterfeiting. This novel approach, integrating perovskite SCs homologous substrate with customized photolithography, provides a new strategy for fabricating high-performance perovskite optoelectronic devices and is expected to promote technological advancement.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202608025
To evaluate heavy metal contamination and human health risks in desert lakes, this study analyzed concentrations of seven heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, As) in Hongjiannao Lake, Northern Shaanxi, from 2013 to 2024. The absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model quantitatively apportioned pollution sources, and a health risk assessment model evaluated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. Results showed average concentrations of the seven metals did not exceed background values, but 28.57% of sampling points exceeded background for As, with a maximum exceedance factor of 1.92. Total average concentration decreased from 112.51 μg/L (2013–2016) to 58.80 μg/L (2017–2024), attributed to the 2016 closure of small coal mines and ecological restoration around the 4A scenic area. Source apportionment identified four sources: industrial (35.44%), agricultural (24.67%), natural (23.65%), and traffic (16.23%), indicating industrial dominance. Non-carcinogenic risks were negligible, but carcinogenic risks exceeded the alert value (1×10⁻⁴), with adults at higher risk than children. Oral ingestion was the primary exposure pathway. As and Cd were key control elements, with exceedance rates of 100% and 16.67%, respectively. These findings provide a theoretical basis for health risk prevention and environmental management.