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    10 August 2026, Volume 47 Issue 8
    Content
    Cover and Content of Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities Vol.47 No.8(2026)
    2026, 47(8):  1-6. 
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    Articles: Inorganic Chemistry
    Cl- Mediated Facet Engineering and Electronic Modulation of Fe/MgO-CaO Catalysts for Glycerol Hydrogenolysis
    MU Rongzhen, WANG Jin, YANG Jie, ROY Tania, WANG Jie, GUO Baocheng, ZHOU Chunhui
    2026, 47(8):  20250394.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20250394
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    To overcome the limitations of active component aggregation and uncontrolled facet exposure typical of impregnation methods, we report a chloride-mediated engineering strategy to precisely tailor the morphology and electronic structure of Fe/MgO-CaO catalysts. Structural characterizations reveal that the gas-etching effect during NH₄Cl pyrolysis creates a porous architecture. Acting as a morphological modifier, NH₄Cl induces the directional growth of MgO-CaO from disordered sheets into a rod-like structure with preferentially exposed(200) facets. At the microstructural level, Cl⁻ doping strengthens the interaction between Fe species and the MgO lattice. This effectively inhibits the agglomeration of active components and promotes the formation of a highly dispersed Mg-Fe-O solid solution, while generating uniformly distributed Lewis acid sites on the catalyst surface. Consequently, the unique rod-like solid solution exhibits excellent structural stability during the catalytic reaction, successfully preventing framework collapse. Consequently, the optimized catalyst(Fe-Cl=1.00) boosted glycerol conversion from 60% to 90% relative to the Cl- free benchmark. This chloride-mediated engineering strategy provides a blueprint for valorizing natural minerals and rationally designing robust non-noble metal catalysts.

    Highly Selective Detection of Fe3+ by Mononuclear Cd(II) Complex Sensor Containing Naphthalene Disulfonic Acid Ligands
    SONG Zhiguo, WANG Xin, ZHU Zhihui, XU Yiminmg, WANG Min
    2026, 47(8):  20260062.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260062
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    A new type of stable fluorescent cadmium complex, Cd(C3H4N24(C10H6O6S22[abbreviated as Cd(Im)4(1,5-NDA)2], was synthesized by solvothermal method using cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate as the metal source, 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate(1,5-NDA2-) and iImidazole(Im) as the main and auxiliary ligands. The compound was characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The X-ray single crystal diffraction results indicated that the compound belonged to the Monoclinic crystal system with the C1c1 space group, and the central ion Cd(II) was located in the distorted octahedral structure. The thermogravimetric analysis results proved that the compound had good thermal stability. The fluorescence properties of Cd(Im)4(1,5-NDA)2 were investigated. The solid-state fluorescence spectra showed that the compound had good fluorescence properties, and its fluorescence emission mainly came from the π-π* transition of the ligands. The orbital contributions of the excited state of the complex were calculated using the time-dependent density functional theory(TD-DFT). The fluorescence quenching experiments results indicated that Fe3+ had a significant quenching effect on the fluorescence intensity of the complex, and the detection limit of Fe3+ recognition by the complex was 0.46 μmol/L. By using the multi-technology combined approach, the possible fluorescence quenching mechanism of Fe3+ on Cd(Im)4(1,5-NDA)2 was speculated. The results of ultraviolet-visible absorption tests indicated that energy resonance transfer(FRET) occurred between Fe3+ and Cd(Im)4(1,5-NDA)2. The characterization results of powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that there were interactions between Fe3+ and N atoms on Cd(Im)4(1,5-NDA)2. In summary, the fluorescence quenching mechanism of Fe3+ on Cd(Im)4(1,5-NDA)2 is a dual-path cooperative quenching: FRET between Fe3+ and the complex and the interactions between Fe3+ and the N atoms on the complex.

    Hafnium Oxide Nanoparticles Enhancing Radiotherapy Efficacy and Reducing Pulmonary Metastatic Burden in Rabbit Orthotopic Hepatocellular Carcinoma
    YAN Xia, ZHAO Jiayi, WEN Hao, QI Yange, LIU Boyang, DU Jiangfeng, SONG Jianbo
    2026, 47(8):  20250391.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20250391
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    High-atomic-number nanomaterials have garnered significant attention in the field of tumor radiosensitization due to their ability to enhance localized energy deposition and amplify radiation-induced physicochemical damage upon irradiation. To establish an efficient radiosensitization system for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) radiotherapy, a hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize HfO2 nanoparticles with a primary size distribution of 50—100 nm, a monoclinic crystal phase, and excellent dispersion. The in vivo behavior, radiosensitization efficacy, and preliminary safety of the test substance were systematically evaluated in a rabbit orthotopic liver cancer model following transarterial infusion. TEM, XRD and EDS characterization indicated that the obtained HfO2 nanoparticles exhibited regular morphology, high purity, and stable crystalline phases. The results of ICP-MS, CT, and TEM analyses demonstrated that following hepatic arterial administration, HfO2 nanoparticles achieved high enrichment and sustained retention within tumor tissues over time. Accumulation in major organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys was minimal, with only the spleen, which is rich in phagocytes, demonstrating notable aggregation. The combination of HfO2 and radiotherapy led to a substantial reduction in tumor volume and weight when compared to radiotherapy alone. Histological and molecular analyses revealed that the treatment resulted in extensive necrosis, a significant decrease in Ki-67 positivity, and elevated levels of γ-H2AX expression and intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation. This finding suggests that HfO2 nanoparticles augment radiation-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress, thereby potentiating the antitumor effects of radiotherapy. Serum cytokine analysis revealed elevated levels of inflammation-related factors in the combination therapy group, accompanied by a relative reduction in lung metastasis burden. This finding indicates that, in addition to directly amplifying local radiation-induced damage, the combination therapy may elicit a systemic immune response. No significant acute toxicity was observed in hematological assessments, biochemical parameters, or major organ pathology, indicating good tolerability of HfO2 nanoparticles under the study dosage and administration conditions. This work provides experimental evidence covering material preparation, in vivo distribution, radiosensitization effects, and preliminary safety for the further development and translational application of HfO2-based nanoradiosensitizers in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

    Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation Properties of Transition Metal Polynuclear Complex Cu4
    LIN Mingsui, WANG Qilong, LIANG Qingqing, CHEN Qiao, LAI Huiwen, CHEN Xueying, GUO Xinying, MA Zhanwen, LAI Anqun, PAN Zhonghua, XIAO Wangchuan
    2026, 47(8):  20250361.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20250361
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    A cubane-like tetranuclear copper(II) complex Cu4 (CCDC: 2501687) was synthesized using 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 2-amino-3-phenylpropanol as ligands. Its performance as a homogeneous electrocatalyst for the water oxidation reaction was systematically evaluated. Cu4 exhibited high catalytic activity, achieving a remarkable turnover frequency(TOF) of 119 s-1 at an applied potential of 1.75 V(vs. NHE) with a Faradaic efficiency of 88.2%. This high performance is attributed to the readily accessible bimetallic synergistic catalytic sites within the Cu4 core. These sites facilitate efficient catalysis while circumventing the formation of high-valent metal intermediates. This study provides insights into the multi-electron/multi-proton processes of water oxidation and demonstrates the effectiveness of a polymetallic cooperative strategy in modulating O—O bond formation, offering new perspectives for designing next-generation efficient water oxidation catalysts.

    Analytical Chemistry
    Targeted Imaging of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Based on Aptamer L4
    LI Xinyan, SUN Shihan, MIAO Ziwei, GENG Wenqian, JIANG Bin, SUN Zhiying, LI Wanming
    2026, 47(8):  20260080.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260080
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    To investigate the targeting and binding characteristics of aptamer L4 and evaluate its potential as a molecular probe for targeted imaging of colorectal cancer tissues in clinical samples, this study aimed to provide a novel tool for targeted diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer. Flow cytometry was employed to assess the binding specificity, affinity, thermal stability and cellular selectivity of aptamer L4. Enzymatic digestion assays were performed to determine the biochemical nature of the target molecule recognized by aptamer L4. Based on the biotin- streptavidin interaction, aptamer L4 was conjugated with quantum dots(QDs) to construct L4-QD probes, which were subsequently applied for targeted imaging of colorectal cancer tissues from clinical patients. The targeting specificity of the probes and their correlations with clinicopathological features were further analyzed. Aptamer L4 exhibited strong and specific binding to HCT116 cells, with a dissociation constant(Kd, nmol/L) of (10.4±1.7) nmol/L, and demonstrated favorable thermal stability. Aptamer L4 preferentially bound to tumor cells with metastatic potential, indicating that its target is likely a membrane-associated protein. Imaging of clinical specimens showed that L4-QD probes enabled specific visualization of colorectal cancer tissues, and the fluorescence intensity was significantly positively correlated with American joint committee on cancer(AJCC) stage and poor patient prognosis. In conclusion, aptamer L4 displays high specificity and affinity for metastatic colorectal cancer cells. Its conjugation with quantum dots allows effective targeted imaging of colorectal cancer tissues, highlighting its potential as a molecular probe for evaluating disease progression and as a novel tool for the targeted diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer.

    Coumarin-chalcone Probes with Modular Design for Reversible Ratiometric Detection of Glutathione
    WANG Chao, ZENG Lingtao, ZHANG Wenqing, CAO Xinhui, DAI Fangfang, LIU Yuxia, CHEN Guang
    2026, 47(8):  20260023.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260023
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    Based on a modular design strategy, this study developed a series of coumarin-chalcone-based reversible ratiometric fluorescent probes(Probes 1~3), using 7-aminocoumarin as the fluorophore and 2'-hydroxychalcone as the glutathione(GSH) reaction center. Different substituents(nitro, methoxy) were introduced at the 5-position of the chalcone phenyl ring as modulating modules to systematically tune the photophysical properties and reaction kinetics of the probes towards GSH. The results demonstrated that all probes exhibited good ratiometric fluorescence responses within the physiological concentration range of GSH(0—10 mmol/L), with dissociation constants(Kd=4.61—8.25 mmol/L) suitable for intracellular GSH detection. Among them, Probe 1, by virtue of the synergistic electron-withdrawing effect of its nitro group and ketone carbonyl, not only displayed the highest sensitivity and the most significant ratiometric signal change, but also responded to GSH most rapidly, reaching equilibrium in approximately 5 min with a reaction rate constant of 2.54 L·mol-1·s-1. Reversibility experiments confirmed that Probe 1 also possessed the most prominent reversible cycling characteristics. Fluorescence imaging studies demonstrated the feasibility of ratiometric fluorescent imaging of GSH within live cells. The rational modular design in this work provides a high-performance tool for fluorescent imaging studies of dynamic GSH changes in living cells.

    Organic Chemistry
    Photobiocatalytic Radical Acylation Facilitates the Synthesis of β ‑Ketonitriles
    CHE Fuhua, BAI Jintong, HUANG Chunshuai
    2026, 47(8):  20260029.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260029
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    This paper reports a novel photobiocatalytic system that integrates thiamine diphosphate(ThDP)-dependent enzymes with photoredox catalysis to achieve radical acylation between aromatic aldehydes and azonitrile reagents under visible light irradiation. This method enables the efficient synthesis of β‑ketonitriles via cross-coupling of an enzyme-bound ThDP-derived ketyl radical and a photogenerated cyanoalkyl radical under mild conditions. The reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility. This work represents the first example of synthesizing β‑ketonitriles via photobiocatalysis, offering a new strategy for sustainable synthesis and expanding the toolbox for non-natural enzyme catalysis.

    Catalyst-free Synthesis and Anti-lung Cancer Activity of 3-Phenyl-1H-pyrazole-indole Hybrid Derivatives
    YANG Jun, WU Di, HUANG Dongyan, LIANG Guangping, LIU Xiongwei
    2026, 47(8):  20260134.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260134
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    In order to discover novel anti-lung cancer agents, a series of 21 novel 3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-indole hybrid derivatives was designed and synthesized via a one-pot reaction employing 5-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one, benzaldehyde, and indole as starting materials. All synthesized compounds were characterized by means of 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. In vitro anti-lung cancer activity screening revealed that most of the target compounds exhibited potent inhibitory effects against both the A549 cell line and the A549/DDP cell line. Notably, compound 4n demonstrated exceptional activity against the resistant A549/DDP cells, with an IC50 value of (0.085±0.003) μmol/L, which was 29-fold than the positive control cisplatin. Mechanistic studies indicated that compound 4n significantly arrested the cell cycle of A549/DDP cells at the G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis. Molecular docking results suggested that its antitumor activity may be associated with interactions involving multiple targets, including AKt1, tubulin, and P-gp. Compound 4n represents a promising anti-lung cancer lead candidate for subsequent structural optimization and comprehensive mechanistic investigation.

    Modulation of Long-lived Room-temperature Phosphorecence via Aggregation-state Control of a Terpyridine-phenylboronic Acid in a Host-guest Doping System
    ZENG Mingtao, SHI Wenjing, WANG Jun
    2026, 47(8):  20260106.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260106
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    The photophysical properties of 4-(([2,2′∶6′,2″-terpyridin]-4′-yl)phenyl)boronic acid(B-Tpy) under different aggregation states were investigated. 1H NMR titration and fluorescence spectroscopy were employed to confirm the aggregation-induced emission(AIE) characteristics. Solid-state B-Tpy exhibits blue fluorescence at 401 nm, with a lifetime of 2.89 ns and a quantum yield of 2.79%. Following the introduction of B-Tpy into boric acid(BA) and subsequent thermal treatment at 200 ℃, the resulting composite material exhibits dual emission of fluorescence and room-temperature phosphorescence(RTP), with an afterglow duration of up to 24 s. Quantitative calculations indicate that B-Tpy possesses a significant spin-orbit coupling constant[ξS1T1)=6.58 cm⁻1], which promotes intersystem crossing, thereby facilitating long-lived RTP emission. This study proposes a novel strategy for long-lived RTP materials.

    Physical Chemistry
    Air Oxygen-activated and Efficient Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Terpinene Catalyzed by Multi-metallic BiFeCo-MOFs
    GUO Haotian, LU Xinhuan, YAN Shan, HUANG Jia, LI Zetao, ZHOU Dan, XIA Qinghua
    2026, 47(8):  20260068.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260068
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    Multi-metallic MOFs, characterized by multiple metal active centers, exhibit promising potential in the catalytic activation of molecular oxygen owing to the synergistic electronic effects between different metal species. In this work, a BiFeCo-MOF material with Bi3+, Fe3+ and Co2+ as multi-metal centers was successfully constructed via a static solvothermal method and applied to the efficient aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of terpinene. The as-prepared Bi2Fe2Co4-MOF-BDC-150-24 catalyst was systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Infrared(IR), scanning electronic microscope(SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), and NH3 temperature programmed desorption(NH3-TPD), confirming its stable structure and the presence of multi-metal electronic synergy. Under near-ambient conditions, the catalyst enabled the selective conversion of the C—C single bond in terpinene to a C=C double bond without any external additives, achieving a conversion of 96.1%. Moreover, the material exhibited good substrate versatility, providing conversions of 97.2% for γ-terpinene and 93.9% for phellandrene. Recycling tests showed that the catalyst maintained high activity after five consecutive runs, demonstrating excellent cycling stability and promising potential applications.

    Preparation and Photocatalytic Performance of Highly Efficient Visible-light Responsive ZnFe2O4/MXene
    TIAN Zhenhua, GONG Gu, HAN Xiufei, HAO Chuanyu, GAO Panpan, SUN Xiaodan
    2026, 47(8):  20260061.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260061
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    ZnFe2O4, a visible-light-responsive photocatalyst, exhibits significant potential for organic wastewater treatment due to its low environmental toxicity and magnetic recyclability. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs in pure ZnFe2O4 severely limits its photocatalytic activity. To address this issue, ZnFe2O4/MXene photocatalysts were developed via a combined hydrothermal and room-temperature electrostatic adsorption approach. Additionally, the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnFe2O4 under visible light was enhanced through the morphology control of ZnFe2O4(microrod, hollow microsphere, Archimedean polyhedron, “popcorn” sphere, nanoparticle) and the synergistic effect of MXene. The high conductivity of MXene improved charge transfer efficiency and facilitated the separation of photogenerated carriers. When ZnFe2O4 was synthesized as an Archimedean polyhedron and MXene dosage was 10% of ZnFe2O4, the optimized ZnFe2O4/MXene photocatalyst achieved a methylene blue(MB) degradation efficiency of 96.9% within 20 min, which was 2.1 and 3.0 times higher than that of ZnFe2O4 and MXene, respectively. Moreover, the degradation efficiency of MB remained over 90.0% after five cycles. The degradation mechanism of MB by ZnFe2O4/MXene was investigated using valence band spectrum of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and active species capture experiments. The results indicated that O2- served as the primary active species, while OH and h⁺ played secondary roles in MB degradation.

    Effect of Water on the Structure and Performance of Cu/C Catalyst in Methanol Oxidative Carbonylation Reaction
    ZHANG Wensheng, MENG Fanhui, LI Haojie, LI Zhong
    2026, 47(8):  20260045.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260045
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    Copper-based catalysts exhibit high activity and selectivity in the oxidation and carbonylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate(DMC), however, the presence of water as a byproduct can significantly affect the catalytic performance. This study investigated the effect of water in the methanol feedstock on the conversion of methanol to DMC using a copper-based catalyst supported on carbon material(Cu/C). The results indicate that, as the water content in the methanol feedstock increases, the initial catalytic activity decreases significantly, the water content has no apparent effect on the selectivity of DMC; however, the CO2 content in the gas-phase products increases remarkably as the water content increases. Under different water content conditions, the catalyst exhibits identical patterns of reactivity variation. Methanol conversion reaches its maximum value at 15 h into the reaction. As reaction time progresses, activity gradually declines and stabilizes between 150 and 250 h. Increasing water content significantly reduces the initial catalytic activity. This is mainly due to the competitive adsorption of water molecules on the Cu/C catalyst with reactant methanol molecules, which reduces contact between active Cu species and reactant methanol. Under the reaction conditions with a constant water content, the active Cu reacts with the reactant O2 and the by-products water and CO2, and thus converts into Cu2(OH)2CO3. Moreover, the acidic environment created by CO2 dissolving in water promotes the dissolution and loss of Cu2(OH)2CO3, which reduces the content of active Cu species in the catalyst and leads to a decrease in catalytic activity and stability. Furthermore, the oxidation and agglomeration of Cu species, induced by water, exacerbate the catalyst deactivation. This work may inform the design of Cu-based catalysts for oxidative carbonylation reactions and provide a theoretical basis for understanding the impact of by-product water on Cu/C catalysts.

    Study on Co(x)/ γAl2O3 Heterogeneous Catalyst Activation of Peracetic Acid for Treating Methylene Blue Wastewater
    HUANG Shiyu, JIANG Hongbin, LIU Heran, DAI Wenchen, XU Xiaochen, CHEN Jie, YANG Guang, YANG Fenglin
    2026, 47(8):  20250377.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20250377
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    The activated peracetic acid(PAA) advanced oxidation technology is a highly efficient and eco-friendly water pollution treatment strategy, which is expected to serve as a viable solution for addressing methylene blue contamination in water bodies. However, existing studies have primarily focused on the mechanism of PAA activation, while lacking in-depth discussions on how to improve the practical applicability of catalytic materials. This research gap has restricted the engineering application of activated PAA technology. A new type of cobalt based heterogeneous catalyst Co(x)/γ-Al2O3 was developed in this study. With an optimal impregnation time of 12 h, this catalyst enables efficient activation of PAA, achieving a removal rate of 99.6% for 10 mg/L methylene blue wastewater. Compared with the homogeneous cobalt ion(Co2+) activation system, the Co(x)/γ-Al2O3 activation system can reduce the dosage of PAA by approximately 25%. Meanwhile, this catalyst exhibits a wide pH adaptation range, strong tolerance to HCO3-, and an ultra-low metal leaching concentration of less than 10 μg/L. Its overall performance, stability, and service life are all superior to those of conventional PAA activated materials. Combined analyses of surface chemical characterization and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the catalytic activity of Co(x)/γ-Al2O3 originates from the Co2+/Co3+ cycle on the catalyst surface. The acetyl(per)oxy radicals[CH3C(O)O· and CH3C(O)OO·] generated during this process are identified as the primary reactive species responsible for degrading methylene blue. The activation of PAA mainly occurs at the Co active sites, which exhibit a high adsorption energy of 1.00 eV and a d-band center of 1.55 eV on the Co3O4(311) plane. This characteristic enhances the adsorption of PAA on the reaction interface, facilitates charge transfer, and thereby strengthens the PAA activation capability of Co(x)/γ-Al2O3. In conclusion, the Co(x)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst provides a sustainable and highly efficient solution for the practical application of the activated PAA process in the treatment of methylene blue wastewater.

    Single-cell Failure Diagnosis of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis Based on Linear and Nonlinear Frequency Response Characteristics
    LIAO Chengliang, MAO Qing, LIU Min, WU Qiliang
    2026, 47(8):  20260102.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260102
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    During the operation of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis(PEMWE) stacks, common issues such as metering deviations and pressure abnormalities make the online diagnosis of failures and adaptive control crucial for ensuring stable performance. This study integrates electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) and total harmonic distortion(THD) analysis to conduct both theoretical simulations and experimental investigations of linear and nonlinear frequency responses in PEMWE single cells, aimed at distinguishing between two types of failure modes. The results indicate that both high feedwater flow and system pressure loss lead to a reduction in the activity of the electrolyzer single cell and an increase in the EIS magnitude across the full frequency range. However, the THD spectra exhibit distinct and discernible frequency-dependent responses: high feedwater flow elevates THD in the 0.1—100 Hz range, whereas pressure loss reduces THD in the low-frequency range of 0.05—1 Hz. The THD spectrum exhibits opposite trends in the characteristic frequency bands, enabling it to differentiate flow-rate deviations from pressure-related failures, in contrast to voltage monitoring and EIS.

    PtCoNiFeCu High-entropy Intermetallics Supported on Petroleum Residue-derived Carbon for Enhanced Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Performance
    LI Youkang, LI Jiahui, QI Yuetong, CHEN Xu
    2026, 47(8):  20260090.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260090
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    Using petroleum residue as a precursor, a π-electron-rich nitrogen-doped porous carbon(NPPC) was synthesized and supported to anchor PtCoNiFeCu high-entropy intermetallics(HEI) for the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR). Benefiting from the strong d-π interaction between NPPC and Pt, coupled with the physical confinement effect of the support, the average nanoparticle size was precisely restricted to 2.30 nm, maximizing the exposure of active sites. Concurrently, this interaction induces a significant compressive lattice strain(2.3%) within the alloy structure, optimizing the metal d-orbital charge distribution and tuning the adsorption energies of oxygen intermediates, which significantly enhances the ORR performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the as-prepared PtCoNiFeCu HEI/NPPC catalyst delivers a superior mass activity(MA) of 2.07 A/mgPt, approximately 14-fold higher than that of commercial Pt/C. Remarkably, the catalyst retains 87% of its initial MA after 30000 accelerated durability test(ADT) cycles. Furthermore, the catalyst achieves a peak power density of 1.03 W/cm2 in H2-air proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs) at a low cathodic Pt loading of 0.1 mg/cm2, with a power loss of only 10% after 30000 cycles. This work provides a simple and effective strategy for the development of highly active and durable catalysts for PEMFCs through strategic support engineering.

    Electrocatalytic Selective Oxidation of 2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid over Pt/a-C Nanomaterials
    YANG Yang, QIAN Jun, DENG Peifeng, XU Chenhui, LIU Jialun, LI Yatai, YANG Zhenzhen, FU Mingchen, ZHANG Genlei
    2026, 47(8):  20260070.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260070
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    2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid(FDCA), as a key biomass-derived platform chemical, has attracted considerable attention for its green synthesis. In this study, 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan(BHMF), which exhibits higher stability than 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF), was used as the feedstock. Pt/amorphous carbon(Pt/a-C) nanomaterials were employed as the catalyst to achieve efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of BHMF to FDCA under mild conditions(1.45 V vs. RHE, room temperature and ambient pressure). The results show that Pt nanowires are uniformly loaded onto the amorphous carbon support via Pt-C bonds, forming a strong interfacial interaction. Pt/a-C exhibits a 220 mV negative shift in onset potential compared to commercial Pt/C, with a Tafel slope of 34.63 mV/dec and a significantly reduced charge transfer resistance. At an applied potential of 1.45 V(vs. RHE), the FDCA yield reached 92.80% with a Faradaic efficiency of 91.45%, and the performance remains stable after five cycles. Mechanistic investigation reveals that the reaction follows a dual-pathway parallel mechanism: BHMF is converted FDCA via either 2,5-diformylfuran(DFF) or 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid(HMFCA), both ultimately proceeding through 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid(FFCA) to FDCA. The synergistic effect between the Pt active sites and the support promotes the reaction kinetics. This study provides a new strategy for the green synthesis of biomass-based FDCA.

    Synergistic Modification of Ni2+ Doping and Nanostructure Regulation for High-performance Aqueous Zinc-ion Battery MnO2 Cathodes
    YANG Ting, SONG Yaxuan, ZHANG Jinyu, FENG Xiaoyu, GE Yufeng, JING Xiaoxia, CHANG Panpan
    2026, 47(8):  20260046.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260046
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    The δ-MnO2 cathode materials in aqueous zinc-ion batteries suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics, structural instability and rapid capacity degradation. To address these issues, this study proposes a synergistic modification strategy combining Ni2+ doping and nanostructure regulation, successfully preparing Ni2+-doped δ-MnO2 nanoflower spheres(NiMnO2-n). Nanostructure regulation endows NiMnO2-n with nanosized sheet structures and a large specific surface area of 142 m2/g, effectively shortening ion diffusion paths and increasing electrochemical active sites. Besides, Ni2+ doping further reduces the thickness of nanosheet and expands the interlayer spacing, which not only promotes H+/Zn2+ intercalation/extraction kinetics but also significantly enhances the structural stability of NiMnO2-n. Moreover, the abundant oxygen vacancies introduced by Ni2+ doping weaken the spatial potential resistance for ion intercalation and lower the ion diffusion barrier, thereby accelerating the reaction kinetics. Benefiting from these structural advantages, NiMnO2-n exhibits faster H+ and Zn2+ diffusion characteristics and improved intercalation/extraction kinetics, leading to improved rate capability and cycling stability: it delivers a reversible capacity of 150.7 mA·h/g at a current density of 1.0 A/g with a decay rate as low as 0.040% per cycle over 900 cycles. Mechanistic studies preliminarily confirm that the energy storage process in NiMnO2-n originates from the intercalation/extraction of H+ and Zn2+ and the dissolution-deposition of MnO2.

    Pseudo Lotus Leaf Layered Design to Enhance the Surface Hydrophobicity and CO2 Adsorption Capability of 13X Molecular Sieve
    LI Shiqing, WANG Zhuo, ZHANG Bin, ZENG Bingfang, RUAN Xianghui, LYU Menglan
    2026, 47(8):  20260004.  doi:10.7503/cjcu20260004
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    A polystyrene-poly(methyl methacrylate)(PS-PMMA) hydrophobic layer was constructed on the surface of 13X molecular sieve and PS-PMMA/13X molecular sieve was prepared via a biomimetic lotus-leaf-like structural design. By integrating an organic nanoscale surface architecture, the fabrication of PS-PMMA/13X molecular sieve was achieved under mild conditions without disrupting the crystalline framework of the 13X molecular sieve, while maintaining thermal stability up to 370 ℃. The water contact angle increased to 127.6°, indicating significantly enhanced hydrophobicity. The modified 13X molecular sieve exhibited excellent water resistance while preserving its intrinsic adsorption properties. Static adsorption results revealed that CO2 adsorption on PS-PMMA0.05/13X follows the Langmuir model and is dominated by physisorption. After 6 h of water immersion followed by drying, the material retained over 92% of its adsorption capacity after ten cycles. Furthermore, under simulated humid flue gas conditions[15% relative humity(RH) and 15%(volume fraction) CO2], the CO2 adsorption capacity reached 0.045 g/g, representing a 73% increase compared to pristine 13X molecular sieve, effectively suppressing competitive adsorption from water vapor. The PS-PMMA0.05/13X molecular sieve demonstrates excellent CO2 adsorption performance under high temperature, low concentration, and humid conditions. With a simple preparation method and robust performance, it shows strong potential for practical carbon capture applications.