SinoTechIntel |SinoBioData |SinoGreenTech |SinoAILab
SinoGreenTech Academic Portal
Open Access Archive
SinoGreenTech
Clean Energy & Battery Portal
Search Database
🏛️ Key Research Academy21 Indexed Works

Sun Yat Sen University

Verified scientific contributions, CAS laboratory outputs, clinical trial papers, and engineering breakthroughs produced by researchers and faculty affiliated with Sun Yat Sen University.

SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

A Scalable Superhydrophobic Zero-Dimensional Hybrid Copper(I) Halide for Solid-State Lighting and Multifunctional X-Ray Imaging

Authors: Shifeng PAN, Ziyang ZHOU, Jialin ZHU, Hua TONG, Yuansheng WANG, Haibo LI, Wei LIU, Gangfeng OUYANG

Conventional metal-halide X-ray scintillators, including Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO), Cs(Na)I:Tl, and Lu1.8Y0.2SiO5:Ce (LYSO), suffer from hygroscopic decomposition, high-temperature fabrication, and mechanical rigidity, which restrict their deployment in harsh-environment radiography. This study reports a nontoxic zero-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid copper(I) halide, Cu2I2(C26H36NP)2 (Compound G), synthesized via a room-temperature solution route. The bulky phosphine ligands confer exceptional superhydrophobicity, with the material retaining 91.95% of its initial luminescence after 30 days of water immersion. A flexible scintillator screen fabricated from styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBS) exhibits a light yield of ~32,500 photons MeV-1, a spatial resolution of 19.14 lp mm-1, and a detection limit of 0.8 μGyair s-1. The screen enables stable X-ray imaging under flexible, high-temperature, and underwater conditions, eliminating vignetting and distortion in nonplanar objects. These metrics demonstrate that the superhydrophobic copper(I) halide scintillator addresses the water-stability bottleneck of commercial scintillators while delivering competitive light output and resolution, offering a viable pathway for medical diagnosis, nondestructive inspection, security checking, and space exploration.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Nano Research Energy•2026

Hierarchical ionic networks in polymer electrolyte boost high-voltage solid-state Li batteries with stable interfaces and long cycling

Authors: Kang Xia, Zhengyin Yao, Zhen Liu, Shuyue Luo, Haoru Xie, Xurui Li, Xiang Yao, Guodong Liang, Peng Zhang

Solid-state lithium metal batteries (SLMBs) demand quasi-solid polymer electrolytes (QSSPEs) that simultaneously deliver high ionic conductivity, interfacial stability, and oxidative resistance. This study reports a QSSPE membrane (MP46) formulated with MG30:LiTFSI:succinonitrile at a 10:4:6 weight ratio, exhibiting a wide electrochemical window of 5.1 V. Complementary infrared spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and electron microscopy reveal a hierarchical ionic conductive network consisting of sphere-like nanostructures embedded within microphase-segregated architectures. This morphology enhances lithium-ion transport while preserving mechanical integrity. The strong interfacial adhesion between MP46 and lithium metal enables stable lithium plating and stripping for over 800 h at 0.2 mA·cm–2, effectively mitigating dendrite formation. When paired with LiFePO4 and LiCoO2 cathodes, MP46 sustains prolonged cycling, retaining 80.1% capacity after 1400 cycles at 2 C and 92.1% after 200 cycles at 4.5 V, respectively. Pouch-type cells further demonstrate mechanical flexibility and operational safety under deformation. These results establish MP46 as a viable candidate for stable high-energy-density SLMBs, offering fundamental insights into the design of next-generation polymer electrolytes.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

From combinatorial explosion to targeted optimization: a hybrid strategy for high-entropy catalyst discovery

Authors: CHEN Jinli, LIN Cheng, CUI Junfeng, XU Zichao, HU Rong, LIAN Junyi, QIAN Guangfu, WANG Yuhua, YAO Yonggang

The vast compositional space of high-entropy materials presents a fundamental challenge for catalyst discovery. Considering 21 candidate elements at a 1% atomic resolution, this combinatorial explosion exceeds 10 billion (>10^10) possibilities, rendering direct experimental exploration impractical. Furthermore, purely data-driven approaches often struggle to comprehend the intrinsic chemical roles of discrete elemental identities, yet they excel at mapping continuous concentration gradients. Recognizing this distinction, we transform this combinatorial explosion into a targeted optimization problem by decoupling elemental selection from compositional ratio refinement. Ultrafast carbon thermal shock (CTS) is first employed to screen viable elemental combinations and establish an optimal quinary framework. Machine learning (ML) is subsequently applied to optimize compositional ratios within this reduced space, where statistical modeling efficiently navigates the remaining high-dimensional landscape. Targeting the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) as a proof-of-concept, our hybrid framework pruned the search space from over 10^10 possible compositions down into 13 systems, ultimately identifying high-entropy oxide (HEO)-Fe17.57Co28.45Ni31.27Mo10.57Zr12.14 as the optimal catalyst. The optimized high-entropy oxide exhibits an overpotential of 240 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and sustains stable operation at 1 A cm−2 for over 600 h in 1 M KOH. Mechanistic analysis reveals that Mo electronically tunes oxygen-intermediate adsorption, while Zr enhances structural robustness, collectively enabling high activity and durability. This work demonstrates that bridging discrete physical screening with continuous data-driven optimization provides an efficient and generalizable pathway for navigating high-dimensional material frontiers.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Modulating Donor-Acceptor Interactions in Polymeric Carbon Nitride for Efficient Hydrogen Peroxide Photosynthesis and Emerging Contaminants Removal

Authors: CHEN Chao, ZHANG Guanghua, WANG Jie, LI Youji, LI Junqing, XIE Linfu, HE Kelin, XIE Yao, FAN Siyu, XU Changwen, ZHANG Qitao

The molecular copolymerization of donor-acceptor (D-A) interactions has been effectively utilized to modulate the charge transfer dynamics in polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) photocatalysts. Herein, a D-A configured photocatalyst (TPCN) was constructed by copolymerizing 4,4’,4’’-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl) trianiline (TAPT) as the electron donor with triazine units (electron acceptor). The unique propeller structure of TAPT, combined with the triazine framework, expanded the π-conjugated system and induced a strong built-in electric field (BIEF) across the D-A configuration. Theoretical calculations and transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that this synergistic effect facilitated intramolecular charge separation and widened the range of light absorption, indicating accelerated charge transfer and suppressed recombination in TPCN. The optimized TPCN3 sample exhibited dramatically enhanced photocatalytic H2O2 production (1.74 mmol g−1 h−1), representing a 13.4-fold increase over pristine PCN. Additionally, the TPCN3 sample also exhibited significantly faster degradation kinetics than PCN counterpart toward various emerging contaminants. This work demonstrates a promising strategy for designing efficient metal-free photocatalysts for sustainable H2O2 production and environmental remediation.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Low-Temperature-Resilient Polymer Electrolytes for High-Performance Quasi-Solid Lithium Batteries

Authors: Linlin Wang, Xianzhi Wu, Ziqi Huang, Qiaoying Cao, Yong Xiao, Hang Hu, Yeru Liang

Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs) are promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their high safety and energy density. However, poor low-temperature performance of solid-state electrolytes remains a critical challenge. Here, we present a facile and scalable approach for synthesizing a low-temperature-resilient polymer electrolyte based on ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), leveraging its unique molecular structure for enhanced lithium-ion transport. The EVA polymer electrolyte (EPE) demonstrates a high ionic conductivity of 5.13×10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature and retains a remarkable conductivity of 2.72×10−5 S cm−1 at −40 °C. This superior performance is attributed to the synergistic interaction between the ester functional groups of EVA and lithium salts, which reduces the ion dissociation energy barrier and facilitates efficient ion migration. The EPE enables stable lithium plating/stripping cycling for over 3000 h at −40 °C and supports long-term cycling of LiFePO4-based full cells at −40 °C for over 900 cycles. This work highlights the potential of cost-effective, scalable EPEs for next-generation SSLBs, particularly in extreme environmental conditions.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Inhalable Acid-Responsive Methane Nanocapsule for Remodeling Fibrogenic Microenvironment to Alleviate Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Authors: Zhaokui Jin, Xiaoyu Li, Qi Gao, Hantao Wu, Purushothaman Bargavi, Chao Xia, Qianjun He

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. Dysregulated macrophage polarization drives fibroblast activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), yet no effective management exists. Here, we develop an inhalable methane nanocapsule (MNC) that spatiotemporally controls methane release in the lung to remodel the fibrogenic microenvironment. MNC is formulated via self-assembly of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) and a novel acid-responsive methane prodrug Fe(BPY)2(CH3)2, enhancing mucosal penetration and sustained methane release in acidic inflammatory niches. In a bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis model, MNC inhalation achieves efficient lung deposition and sustained methane release, significantly reducing inflammation, ameliorating fibrosis, and improving lung function without systemic side effects. Mechanistically, MNC rebalances macrophage polarization by inhibiting M2 phenotype overexpression and downregulates the MMP9/TIMP-1 ratio to suppress myofibroblast proliferation and EMT, synergistically halting fibrotic progression. This inhalable methane nanocapsule offers a promising strategy for safe and effective IPF treatment.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Transforming Non-Photosensitizing Fluorophores into ROS Photogenerators via Radical-Promoted Intersystem Crossing

Authors: HE Wenjing, CAI Zhipeng, GAO Ji, ZHANG Xianming, WANG Fangliang, WEI Zhuocai, WEI Fangfang, WEI Luyao, LYU Xingyu, ZHOU Li, LI Kai

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.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026

Combined Ozone Micro-Nano Bubble Oxidation and Powdered Activated Carbon Adsorption for Removal of Taste and Odor Compounds from Drinking Water

Authors: DENG Qiujin, LU Zhifeng, CHEN Ben, CHEN Sa, LIANG Qifeng, SONG Chuqi, YANG Qiujian, JIA Yanyan, LYU Hui

Algal-derived taste and odor compounds (2-methylisoborneol, 2-MIB, and geosmin, GSM) in drinking water sources are poorly removed by conventional treatment. This study systematically evaluated the standalone and combined performance of ozone micro-nano bubbles (O3-MNBs) oxidation and powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption for removing 2-MIB, GSM, and algal cells from source water. Results showed that O3-MNBs pre-oxidation achieved >97.5% removal of odorants at 400 ng·L−1 and 67.2% algal cell removal within 30 min. When applied as a deep treatment stage, the degradation rate constant (k) was 10.1%–25.6% higher than in pre-oxidation due to lower background matrix interference. Both pre-oxidation and deep treatment reduced effluent concentrations of 2-MIB and GSM to below 10 ng·L−1, with oxidation kinetics fitting pseudo-first-order models (R²>0.95). PAC adsorption of both compounds followed pseudo-second-order kinetics (R²>0.99), with GSM equilibrium adsorption capacity approximately 20.0% higher than that of 2-MIB. In pure water, adsorption capacity increased by >10.0% compared to raw water. Based on kinetic models, a quantitative prediction method was established for O3-MNBs oxidation and PAC adsorption processes, aiming to achieve efficient odorant removal and cost optimization, providing theoretical support for advanced drinking water purification and smart water plant construction.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026

Intelligent Detection of Drainage Pipeline Defects Based on Cross-Frame Annotation and Recall Optimization

Authors: XU Xingquan, CHEN Ben, ZHU Zeyu, LIU Shaohui, SUN Yiye, CHEN Hangbiao, CHEN Zhanli, LYU Hui

Drainage pipeline defect detection predominantly relies on closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection, which is labor-intensive, inefficient, and prone to missed detections. Although deep learning-based object detection has been applied, it suffers from low precision, recall, and speed in practical scenarios. This study proposes an engineering-oriented detection scheme achieving high recall and low miss rates. The annotation phase employs a cross-frame strategy combining manual labeling of first and last frames with interpolation and tracking-based refinement. Data preprocessing introduces perceptual hashing to identify similar images, enhancing training efficiency. For detection, a Faster R-CNN model is enhanced with Focal Loss to focus on hard examples, defect classification and grading, and a dynamic threshold strategy to improve recall. Validated on 5,068.72 m of real pipeline data, the method achieves a recall rate exceeding 98% across 16 defect categories, a miss rate of only 2% for grade 4 defects, and a 425% improvement in per-segment detection efficiency compared to manual screening. These results demonstrate the method's effectiveness in balancing recall, miss rate, and speed for engineering deployment.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Environmental Chemistry•2026

Body Burden of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Joint Effects on Thyroid Function in a Physical Examination Population in Shenzhen

Authors: CHEN Yang, ZHOU Chenyu, ZHAN Zijian, MA Shuai, ZENG Xiaopeng, JIANG Yousheng, PENG Jinling, SONG Jiayi, ZHANG Jianqing

This study characterized the body burden of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a physical examination population in Shenzhen and evaluated its impact on thyroid function. Serum samples from 368 residents were analyzed for eight PBDE congeners using atmospheric pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (APGC-MS/MS). The median concentration of ∑8PBDEs was 10.2 ng·g⁻¹ lipid weight (lw), ranging from 0.13 to 2089.4 ng·g⁻¹ lw, with BDE-209 predominating (59.7% of total). Multiple linear regression revealed that a 1.7-fold increase in serum BDE-153 was associated with a 0.4% increase in free triiodothyronine (FT3) (P<0.05), while a 1.7-fold increase in BDE-183 was associated with a 0.9% decrease in total triiodothyronine (T3) and a 0.7% decrease in FT3 (P<0.05). Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) indicated a negative correlation between mixed PBDE exposure and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at high exposure levels. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression showed that mixed exposure was associated with decreased T3 levels and T3/FT3 ratio, with BDE-153 and BDE-183 as the primary contributors. These findings suggest that PBDE exposure may adversely affect thyroid function and disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis, with BDE-183 and BDE-153 playing key roles. This study provides a scientific basis for PBDE health risk assessment and thyroid protection.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Lesion-targeted probiotic delivery via ROS-activated gelation and mucoadhesion for transanal treatment of colitis

Authors: Hui Zhou, Guangyuan Chen, Weiwen Liang, Zixin Chen, Xinglong Wang, Weijie Liu, Bingna Zheng, Dingcai Wu, Rongkang Huang

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colorectal mucosa, where conventional enema therapies suffer from poor retention and limited inflammation modulation. Here, we report a highly fluid probiotic-containing enema solution (s-BSA-Fe+EcN) integrating bovine serum albumin (BSA), Fe2+, and probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN). The solution's high fluidity enables comprehensive coverage of irregular colorectal mucosa. Upon encountering reactive oxygen species (ROS)-rich inflamed lesions, Fe2+ mediates H2O2 scavenging and hydroxyl radical generation, triggering BSA crosslinking and in situ gelation into a conformal hydrogel (h-BSA-Fe+EcN). This targeted adhesion mitigates oxidative damage to host tissues and preserves probiotic viability. In a porcine model, endoscopic imaging confirmed inflammation-targeted gelation in vivo. In a dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse colitis model, h-BSA-Fe+EcN demonstrated excellent therapeutic efficacy, reducing disease activity index and restoring colonic architecture. This strategy addresses the dual challenges of fluid perfusion and rapid ROS-responsive gelation, offering an advanced transanal treatment for UC.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Advancing lithium-air capacitor batteries through redox pair-enabled dual-cathode configurations

Authors: Chuyi Zhong, Jingke Yang, Jiewen Yang, Pengwei Jing, Shuaiqi Li, Pei Tang, Jian Zhu, Cuiying Lu, Bingjun Yang, Qingyun Dou, Xingbin Yan

Lithium-air capacitor batteries (LACBs) integrate the rapid charge-discharge capability of supercapacitors into conventional lithium-oxygen batteries, significantly enhancing power density. However, their cycling stability remains unsatisfactory. In this study, we incorporated redox mediators (RMs) into an LACB featuring a dual-cathode configuration. This design facilitates sustained electron transfer between the electrode and Li2O2/Oxygen, thereby delaying RM deactivation caused by electrode passivation and improving overall electrochemical performance. The RM-enhanced battery achieved over 250 cycles at 2 mA cm−2 with a limited capacity of 0.5 mAh cm−2, while exhibiting a 0.54 V reduction in charging voltage at 0.1 mA cm−2 compared to the RM-free system. Furthermore, application of an aluminum foil sealing technique enabled a power density of 13.8 mW cm−2 at 6 mA cm−2, overcoming mass transport limitations inherent in open-cell configurations. We also investigated the influence of oxygen barrier films with varying barrier capabilities on LACB performance. Results indicate that films with superior oxygen resistance better maintain a clean capacitor electrode surface, thereby providing more stable electron supply to the RMs and enhancing rate capability and cycling performance. These findings underscore the potential of redox mediators in improving the performance and longevity of LACBs, offering a promising strategy for their future development.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Defect and Crystal Field Engineering Enables High Efficiency and Anti-Thermal Quenching in Cr3+ Doped Rigid Garnet Phosphors for Multifunctional Optoelectronics

Authors: Fangrui Cheng, Yixuan Lai, Yifei Zhao, Runying Zheng, Chengjie Li, Luxia Zhong, Fangmin Lin, Yizhi Zheng, Ruirui Yang, Renping Cao, Yinghan Wang, Hang Zhu, Shi Ye, Xiping Jing

Near-infrared (NIR) phosphors with high quantum efficiency (QE) and thermal robustness are critical for phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs). Here, a Cr3+-activated Lu2BaAl4SiO12 (LBASO) garnet phosphor is engineered via chemical unit cosubstitution of [Ba2+-Si4+] for [Lu3+-Al3+] in Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG), inducing a strong crystal field that yields NIR emission at 705 nm. The optimized LBASO:0.07Cr3+ exhibits an internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of 84.82% and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 46.02%. Notably, it demonstrates anti-thermal quenching (ATQ) with 126.03% of its initial intensity at 498 K under 442 nm excitation, attributed to a wide band gap, weak electron-phonon coupling, defect trap energy levels, high structural rigidity, and optimized electron population distribution. A NIR pc-LED fabricated with this phosphor achieves an output power of 134.99 mW and photoelectric conversion efficiency of 11.4% at 100 mA drive current. These results underscore the potential of LBASO:Cr3+ for applications in plant lighting, night vision, and nondestructive analysis.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Suppression of Schottky Effect with Highly Corrosion-Resistant Coating on Porous Transport Layers for Interface Optimization in Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers

Authors: Yun Liu, Bingqian Pang, Sihan Mao, Wenjuan Shi, Tianjiao Wang, Peng Rao, Jing Li, Min Wang, Yuliang Yuan, Xiaodong Shi, Xinlong Tian, Zhenye Kang

Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are pivotal for sustainable hydrogen production, yet the corrosion-induced TiOx on porous transport layers (PTLs) introduces Schottky contact barriers and pinch-off effects, severely impeding charge transfer and efficiency. Here, a cost-effective MoIrOx coating via spray deposition and thermal treatment on Ti felts is proposed. The coating forms a conductive interlayer that establishes a Schottky barrier staircase, reducing the effective electron transfer barrier and isolating TiOx from the ionomer to mitigate the pinch-off effect. The optimal PTL achieves a current density of 3.27 A cm−2 at 2 V, surpassing uncoated Ti felts by 59.5%. The MoIrOx interlayer suppresses localized electron accumulation at the interface, enabling stable operation with ultra-low catalyst loadings by preventing direct ionomer-TiOx contact. This work demonstrates a scalable strategy to enhance PEMWE efficiency and durability while minimizing precious metal reliance, offering critical insights into interface engineering for electrolyzers.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Dual-mode Förster resonance energy transfer for color-tunable and stimulus-responsive organic afterglow

Authors: Yin Zhou, Qionghui Xu, Xiaoran Guo, Yuyuan Wang, Chong An, Ting Xiang, Sinuo Geng, Yong Liu, Zhenguo Chi, Chengjian Chen

Achieving flexible polymer-based organic afterglow materials with color-tunable and stimulus-responsive capabilities is significant in diverse optoelectronic fields, especially in next-generation wearable full-color display applications, yet remains a great challenge. Here, we report polymer-based dual-mode afterglow systems that realize long-lived color-tunable afterglow with full-color gamut of blue, green, orange, red, and even white-light emissions with ultralong lifetimes up to 2.42 s. This unique performance is enabled by a universal strategy of dual-mode afterglow-assisted Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) that utilizes seconds-long dual-mode afterglow materials as energy donors and permits efficient synchronous transfer of singlet and triplet excitons from energy donors to the fluorescent dye acceptors. More impressively, the dual-mode afterglow-assisted FRET efficiency reaches up to 99%, with the lifetime of the energy acceptor reaching 1.55 s. Associated with the abundant hydrogen-bonding interactions within the polymer system, the doped afterglow films exhibit water/thermal stimulus responsiveness and recyclability. Furthermore, these full-color dual-mode afterglow materials are employed for multicolor screen-printing, optical anti-counterfeiting, and high-level information encryption, demonstrating considerable application potential in advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

TWEAK-Conjugated Selenoviologen as a Novel Photosensitizer for Selective Wound Accumulation and Synergistic Healing of Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections

Authors: NING Xiaoying, SUN Qi, ZHANG Yanfei, LUO Mai, BAI Fan, YAN Zhu, ZHANG Yufei, PUTTERMAN Chaim, HE Gang, XIA Yumin

Skin wounds are refractory due to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers noninvasiveness, high efficiency, and no drug resistance, its therapeutic effect is constrained by the complex structure of wound tissue and diffuse drug distribution. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) regulates tissue repair by engaging its receptor Fn14, which is highly expressed in wounds. In this study, we developed a novel photosensitizer, the selenoviologen-TWEAK conjugate (SeV-Tp), to enhance selective enrichment and synergistically promote wound healing. In vitro analyses demonstrated that SeV-Tp, under visible light, generated high levels of reactive oxygen species, resulting in potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Notably, SeV-Tp selectively bound to Fn14 and amplified fibroblast activation via photodynamic cooperation. In a mouse model of antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected wound, SeV-Tp accelerated healing by reducing bacterial burden, modulating the immune microenvironment, promoting collagen deposition, and stimulating hair follicle regeneration. Moreover, SeV-Tp preferentially accumulated within wound tissues with minimal adverse effects. SeV-Tp represents a strategy that selectively enriches and harnesses synergistic benefits from both components, positioning SeV-Tp as a promising photosensitizer for the treatment of refractory wounds.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Cross-relaxation engineering in Sb3+-sensitized Cs2NaLuCl6:Er3+ double perovskites enabling a record 45.3% EQE in NIR-II luminescence

Authors: Jingheng Nie, Chaohong Liao, Huiwang Lian, Renping Cao, Sijie Liu, Baoxia Liu, Bang Lan, Jing Wang

Lead-free halide double perovskites have attracted significant attention owing to their eco-friendliness, structural tunability, and self-trapped exciton emission. Nevertheless, achieving efficient and stable near-infrared-II (NIR-II) luminescence, especially in materials incorporating lanthanide ions, remains a considerable challenge in photonics research. Herein, we report a notable advance in the design and synthesis of Sb3+-sensitized Cs2NaLuCl6:Er3+ double perovskite single crystals, which exhibit an unprecedented external quantum efficiency of 45.3% for emission at 1542 nm. Sb3+ acts as a broadband ultraviolet absorber and transfers energy to Er3+ via self-trapped exciton emission. Moreover, at high concentrations of Er3+, Er3+-Er3+ cross relaxation (2H11/2 + 4I15/2 → 4I9/2 + 4I13/2) selectively populates the NIR-emitting 4I13/2 state, suppressing competitive visible emission pathways. This synergistic host-sensitizer-activator design strategy, supported by density functional theory calculations, addresses long-standing efficiency limitations and opens new avenues for high-performance NIR-II emitters in bioimaging, night vision, and optical communications.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Hydroxyl-driven p-π resonance in pyrene-based COFs realizes low-power and stable nonvolatile memory devices

Authors: Pan-Ke Zhou, Cong Zhang, Chao Lin, Ziyue Yu, Yuxing Huang, Tao Zeng, Xiong Chen

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.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Remarkable roles of electron-rich Mo and electron-deficient Ni active pairs in MoN/Ni heterostructures in promoting efficient urea oxidation reaction

Authors: Chen-Jin Huang, Ruo-Zheng Xiong, Hui-Min Xu, Hong-Rui Zhu, Hong-Cheng Zhang, Chen-Yu Song, Vyacheslav Yu Fominski, Gao-Ren Li

The urea oxidation reaction (UOR) offers a low-energy pathway for hydrogen production via water electrolysis, but Ni-based catalysts suffer from Ni self-oxidation reaction (NSOR) that wastes energy and poisons active sites via strong CO2 adsorption. Here, we design MoN/Ni heterostructures to optimize the electronic structure of Ni sites, suppressing NSOR. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirm the formation of electron-rich Mo and electron-deficient Ni active pairs. In-situ spectroscopy, electrochemical tests, and density functional theory calculations reveal that electron-rich Mo sites enhance urea adsorption, while electron-deficient Ni sites prevent NSOR, facilitating urea activation, intermediate conversion, and CO2 desorption. The synergistic effect yields a current density of 100 mA cm−2 at only 1.39 V vs. RHE in 1 M KOH + 0.33 M urea, outperforming many NiOOH-based catalysts. This work introduces a novel high-performance catalyst with electron-rich/electron-deficient active pairs for efficient UOR.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Balancing photosensitivity and visible-light absorption in intrinsically black photosensitive polyimide: synthesis and metal patterning

Authors: Hao Zhong, Dezhi Zhan, Yongjian Zhu, Jing Li, Wanying Zhang, Yiyong Chen, Xin Liu, Chengbin Zou, Jinru Li, Zhenxuan Huang, Min Cao, Rui Chen, Shilong Zhong, Cheng Wang, Xudong Chen

The escalating power density of electronic devices necessitates effective visible-light shielding in advanced packaging to ensure circuit security and long-term reliability. Photosensitive polyimides (PSPI) serve dual roles as photodefinable dielectrics and structural layers, but intrinsically black PSPI (B-PSPI) suffer from competitive ultraviolet (UV) absorption between chromophores and photosensitive moieties, limiting co-optimization of deep visible-light blocking and lithographic resolution. Here, we report a main-/side-chain spatial decoupling strategy to synthesize a novel B-PSPI. By polymerizing pyromellitic dianhydride with a main-chain coloring monomer (4,4'-diaminodiphenylamine) and a side-chain photosensitive monomer (1,4-dihydropyridine-functionalized diamine), the monomer stoichiometric ratio is precisely engineered. This design spatially isolates functional groups and enhances charge transfer, yielding exceptional visible-light shielding (CIE L* index of 21.39, cut-off wavelength ≈ 555 nm) with good lithographic sensitivity. UV exposure triggers in situ generation of coordination sites from photosensitive groups, anchoring active metal species for electroless copper plating. This enables direct additive fabrication of fine copper lines (40/80 μm line width/spacing) with robust Cu/B-PSPI interfacial adhesion of 16.6 MPa. This work provides a robust molecular design paradigm for B-PSPI, integrating superior optical shielding and surface metallization for high-density interconnect applications.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

A H2O2-triggered NIR chemiluminescence nanoprobe with aggregation-induced emission properties for in vivo inflammation imaging and tumor theranostics

Authors: Junhao Huang, Lin Yang, Yufeng Xiao, Yuxi Li, Jiachang Huang, Ben Zhong Tang, Benzhao He

Real-time, in situ imaging of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a key reactive oxygen species implicated in various diseases, remains challenging due to limitations of existing probes, such as short emission wavelengths and reliance on external excitation. To address these issues, we developed an H2O2-triggered near-infrared (NIR) chemiluminescence (CL) nanoprobe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics for in vivo inflammation imaging and tumor theranostics. This nanoprobe, denoted as CPPO@TN NPs, was constructed by co-encapsulating a tailored AIE photosensitizer (TN) with strong NIR emission and high singlet oxygen (1O2) generation, a H2O2-responsive chemiluminescent substrate (CPPO), and soybean oil (as a retarder) within F-127 micelles. Upon encountering H2O2, the nanoprobe undergoes a persistent chemically initiated electron exchange luminescence (CIEEL) process that activates AIEgens, resulting in intense NIR chemiluminescence and sustained 1O2 production without the need for external irradiation. Leveraging this mechanism, CPPO@TN NPs achieved highly sensitive and specific imaging of drug-induced liver injury and peritonitis in murine models, with exceptional tissue penetration and signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, the nanoprobe facilitated effective self-luminescent imaging and photodynamic therapy of tumors, significantly inhibiting tumor growth in a 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model. This platform provides an external light excitation-free theranostic strategy for H2O2-associated diseases.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→