30 January 2026, Volume 57 Issue 1

    

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Focuses & Concerns
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  Study on the preparation of ZnO photocatalyst and its performance and mechanism of mineralized phenol

  CHEN Feifan, CHEN Hu, WANG Ying, LIU Shilong, ZHANG Hailong, LYU Yongkang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.001

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  ZnO is widely applied in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. Currently, the removal rate of target pollutants and chemical oxygen demand (COD) are often used as indicators in the research, which are difficult to truly reflect the mineralization effect of pollutants. This paper first prepares ZnO catalysts through three methods: direct precipitation, sol-gel method, and controlled precipitation. The structure, morphology, and optical properties of the prepared photocatalysts are analyzed by various characterization methods such as XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XPS, BET, UV-Vis, and PL. The results show that the ZnO synthesized by the controlled precipitation method has a larger specific surface area, uniform particle morphology, and stronger ultraviolet light absorption ability. Then, the photocatalytic mineralization effect of ZnO catalysts on phenol was systematically studied using total organic carbon (TOC) removal as the index. It was found that the ZnO catalyst synthesized by the controlled precipitation method exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and stability under ultraviolet light irradiation. Under the optimal conditions of catalyst dosage of 3 g/L, initial phenol concentration of 40 mg/L, and solution pH=7, an 83% TOC removal was achieved after 5 h of xenon light irradiation. Finally, GC-MS method was used to detect the intermediate products of photodegradation of phenol such as methyl butyrate and benzoquinone, and a possible degradation mechanism was proposed. This catalyst shows good photocatalytic performance in a wide range of phenol concentrations and in neutral, acidic, and alkaline environments, presenting a promising application prospect in the mineralization of organic pollutants.
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  Study on the luminescence properties of Sm³⁺, Ce³⁺ doped YAG single crystals

  QIN Lili, TANG Liyun, LI Yiliang, XIE Guifang, HU Meiyuan, XU Shoulei

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 14-19. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.002

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  Traditional YAG: Ce³⁺ phosphors lack red light components, having poor color rendering coefficients, and the epoxy resin used in packaging is prone to aging and failure. However, YAG single crystals doped with rare earth ions can effectively address this issue. This article describes the use of the optical floating zone method to create a series of YAG: Ce³⁺ and Sm³⁺ single crystals with varying Sm³⁺ doping concentrations, as well as their replacement for typical YAG: Ce³⁺ phosphors in the production of white light emitting diodes (LEDs). The phase and structure of the sample crystal were determined using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and the sample's UV visible absorption spectra, transmission spectrum, and photoluminescence spectrum (PL) were tested. The crystal's YAG phase remained unchanged after Sm³⁺ and Ce³⁺ doping, according to XRD measurements. PL spectra revealed that the emission peak was greatest at a Sm³⁺ doping concentration of 0.6%, while concentration quenching resulted in a drop in fluorescence intensity as the doping concentration increased. The addition of Sm³⁺ to YAG: Ce³⁺ introduces a red component into the emission spectrum, which is expected to improve the color rendering coefficient of white LEDs made with it.
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  Interface construction of in-situ grown NiS₂ catalyst on graphite sheets and its optimization of hydrogen storage performance of MgH₂

  MA Yufei, WU Chengzhang, LUO Wenwen, XU Chang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 20-27. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.003

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  Magnesium hydride (MgH₂) has emerged as a promising solid-state hydrogen storage material due to its high hydrogen storage capacity and low cost. However, its practical application has been restricted by high thermodynamic stability and poor kinetic properties. In this study, a nickel sulfide catalyst supported on graphite flakes (NiS₂@xC) was successfully synthesized via a one-step solvothermal method, with systematic investigation into the effects of graphite flake loading (0, 3, 5, 10 wt%) on the hydrogen storage performance of MgH₂. Results demonstrated that the introduction of graphite flakes effectively suppressed the agglomeration of NiS₂ particles, enabling their uniform dispersion and in-situ growth on the graphite surface. The average particle size was reduced from 1.60 μm to 200-500 nm, accompanied by a significant increase in specific surface area and active site exposure. The MgH₂-NiS₂@3C composite with 3 wt% graphite loading exhibited optimal performance. When the initial hydrogen desorption temperature decreased to 240 ℃, 6.50 wt% hydrogen release was achieved within 10 min at 300 ℃ with a total desorption capacity of 6.70 wt%. Regarding hydrogen absorption, 5.50 wt% hydrogen uptake was accomplished within 5 min. Excessive graphite loading (10 wt%) conversely degraded performance due to physical shielding effects that impeded hydrogen diffusion. Comprehensive characterizations via SEM and XRD elucidated the microstructure evolution and catalytic mechanism, confirming that appropriate graphite loading enhanced hydrogen sorption kinetics through three synergistic effects: (1) preventing particle aggregation, (2) increasing accessible active sites, and (3) optimizing hydrogen diffusion pathways. This work provides critical insights for the rational design of high-performance composite catalysts in hydrogen storage applications.
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  Construction and sulfur-loading properties of hierarchical porous carbon with three-dimensional network ultrathin-wall structure

  SUN Tao, LI Jiaqi, ZHANG Xialan, LIN Qilang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 28-34. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.004

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  Developing renewable energy conversion and storage technologies is an effective way to solve the current crisis and environmental pollution issues. Lithiumsulfur battery has emerged as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage devices that possess ultrahigh energy densities. However, the sulfur-based cathode materials for lithiumsulfur battery still confront some problems such as low conductivity, volume expansion and shuttle effect. Therefore, it is of great scientific significance to develop a sulfur-loaded matrix with large specific surface area, high electrical conductivity and high sulfur loading capacity. In this project, a three-dimensional network ultrathin-wall hierarchical porous carbon was developed by direct pyrolysis of the mixture of petroleum residue and aluminum isopropoxide, and then employed as sulfur-loaded matrix to obtain lithium-sulfur battery cathode material via a solvent mixing-thermal melting method. This approach not only significantly reduces the production cost of existing porous carbon-based sulfur-loaded matrix, but also enhances sulfur loading and active material utilization, ultimately achieving lithium-sulfur batteries with superior electrochemical performance.
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  Study on dielectric properties of BST/PVDF nanocomposites

  LIU Jiachen, LI Jungang, JU Shaoshuai, LAI Jinguang, LI Yuting, MO Junqi, LI Junyue, HU Jifan, TONG Yang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 35-40. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.005

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  With the rapid development of electronic devices, requirements on dielectric capacitors as key electrical components increase. The dielectric films in capacitors play an important role. This study prepared BST/PVDF composites with 0 to 15 vol% BST, using three different sizes of Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ (BST) nanoparticles as fillers via a spin-coating method. The effects of filler size, volume fraction, and temperature on the dielectric properties of the films were analyzed. It can be found that adding BST nanoparticles notably increases the composites' dielectric constant. The BST/PVDF system exhibits strong temperature dependence in its dielectric properties between -60 ℃ and 120 ℃, mainly determined by the polymer matrix. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing BST filler size and developing high-performance, flexible PVDF-based dielectric films.
Review & Advance
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  Recent development in two-dimensional ferrovalley materials and multi-field regulation

  HE Junjie, LIU Xianglin, FU Huiyun, WU Zhimin, DING Shoubing

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 41-54. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.006

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  Valleytronic devices utilizes the electron's valley degree of freedom, combining it with other degrees of freedom such as charge and spin, for information encoding. It holds great potential for application in next-generation electronic devices, which are focused on the advancement of artificial intelligence and the processing of large-scale data. Ferrovalley materials with spontaneous valley polarization provide a convenient method to flexibly manipulate the valley degree of freedom. Moreover, coupling the valley degree of freedom with Berry curvature in such materials can generate the anomalous valley Hall effect, enabling electrical readout of valley states—a crucial factor for the practical application of valleytronic materials. Therefore, this work systematically reviews recent research progress on two-dimensional ferrovalley materials both domestically and internationally. The valley degree of freedom and the Valley Hall Effect (VHE) are first briefly outlined. Then, a systematic classification of ferrovalley materials is performed according to chemical composition, followed by comprehensive analysis of their characteristic properties and modulation strategies, with special attention given to high-efficiency approaches such as external field tuning, strain engineering, and stacking configuration manipulation. Subsequently, the theoretical underpinnings of valley-related phenomena are briefly discussed. Finally, we look forward to the challenges and opportunities in the development of two-dimensional ferrovalley material.
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  Research progress on passive radiative cooling materials based on aerogels

  BU Xiaohai, LIU Yanmei, ZHANG Xiaoqin, LU Tao

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 55-70. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.007

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  Passive radiative cooling (PRC) can radiate heat into ultra-cold outer space (about 3 K) through the atmospheric transparent windows, achieving self-cooling of objects without greenhouse gas emissions or external energy input. This PRC technology can be applied in various fields such as architecture, textiles, smart wearables, electronic devices, and artificial intelligence, which is of significant importance in energy conservation and promoting the achievement of "peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality" targets. PRC aerogels integrate high solar reflectance, high infrared emissivity, and high thermal insulation properties, which can significantly reduce the energy consumption load of cooling equipment such as air conditioners and reduce carbon emissions. Starting from the basic principles of thermal radiation and radiative cooling, this article briefly reviews the research progress of PRC materials, focusing on the preparation, properties, and applications of aerogel-based PRC materials. Finally, the future development of PRC aerogels is prospected.
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  Progress of oxygen vacancies in Na⁺/Li⁺ batteries

  CHEN Kaiyu, LIU Boyu, XIA Yuhan , WANG Jiaqi , WANG Hongyu

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 71-78. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.008

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  The rapid capacity decay and poor rate performance of sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) remain persisting challenges in energy storage technology. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of oxygen vacancies (OVs) in improving the electrochemical performance of cathode materials for both battery systems. By enhancing ion diffusion kinetics, reducing charge transfer resistance, and optimizing structural stability, OVs significantly contribute to achieving higher specific capacities and superior rate capabilities. This review summarizes recent advances in the design and application of oxygen-deficient cathode materials for NIBs and LIBs, with a focus on strategies for introducing OVs and their subsequent effects on material structure and electrochemical behavior. Key synthesis approaches, including chemical reduction, doping, and controlled calcination, are discussed as effective methods for generating OVs in transition metal oxide cathodes. Experimental evidence demonstrates that OVs can mitigate phase transitions, stabilize lattice frameworks, and facilitate reversible anion redox reactions. Furthermore, the presence of OVs has been shown to improve electronic conductivity and reduce ion diffusion barriers, leading to enhanced cycling stability and rate performance. However, challenges such as the precise control of OV concentration, long-term stability of vacancy-rich structures, and scalability of synthesis methods require further investigation. This work also addresses unresolved issues related to the quantification of OV contributions to capacity mechanisms and the potential trade-offs between vacancy-induced performance improvements and material degradation. By systematically analyzing the structure-property relationships mediated by OVs, this review aims to provide fundamental insights into the rational design of advanced cathode materials, thereby guiding future research toward high-performance and cost-effective energy storage systems.
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  Research progress on multifunctional slippery liquid infused porous surfaces coatings

  ZHAO Xinyi, FENG Minsheng, LIU Ping, LU Chao, LEI Fan

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 79-87. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.009

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  Inspired by the unique structures evolved in nature over millennia, researchers have made significant strides in surface wetting properties. The hydrophobic characteristics of lotus leaf surfaces, in particular, have catalyzed exploration into superhydrophobic coatings. To address the inherent limitations of superhydrophobic coatings under extreme conditions (e.g., mechanical wear, chemical corrosion, and temperature variations), lubricating oil has been introduced to create high-performance slippery liquid infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) coatings. This review synthesizes global research advancements in SLIPS coatings, focusing on three functional applications, corrosion resistance, ice shedding, and wear resistance. Finally, we summarize challenges such as wear-induced aging and propose strategies to enhance durability and service life.
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  Research progress and application prospects of probe-type cementitious battery

  LIU Zhijun, LUO Jianlin, LIU Yang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 88-94. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.010

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  With the growing energy demand and heightened awareness of environmental protection, the development of efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable energy storage technologies has become a critical global priority. The study of integrated composites for structural energy storage provides a novel approach for the form of energy storage in buildings. Probe-type cement-based battery (PCB) utilize cement-based materials as electrolytes, which have good ionic conductivity along with inherent structural integrity. This paper aims to systematically review and summarize the technical principles, research progress, performance characteristics, application prospects, and challenges of PCB, to provide a reference for future research and engineering applications related to PCB.
Research & Development
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  Preparation of Co₃S₄-Ni₃S₄/NF heterojunction and its electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction performance

  WU Yanxia, SU Lirong, WEI Zhiying, WANG Qingtao

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 95-102. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.011

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  A self-supporting Co₃S₄-Ni₃S₄/NF heterojunction loaded on nickel foam (NF) was successfully prepared by hydrothermal reaction and vulcanization methods, used as an electrocatalyst for HER. The results showed that as-synthesized Co₃S₄-Ni₃S₄/NF catalyst exhibited good HER catalytic activity and stability in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. The effect of vulcanization temperature on the catalytic properties of the material was also investigated. When the current density is 10 mA/cm², the overpotentials of Co₃S₄-Ni₃S₄/NF-180 ℃ in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 1.0 M KOH are 80 and 83 mV with the Tafel slopes of 72 and 89 mV/dec, respectively, exhibiting better HER catalytic activity than the control samples. It is mainly due to the fact that the heterogeneous interface formed between Ni₃S₄ nanoparticles and Co₃S₄ nanoneedles can improve the electronic structure and provide more active sites. Meanwhile, the NF substrate with a three-dimensional porous structure improves the dispersion of the material and increases the active area, which contributes to the enhancement of the HER catalytic performance.
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  Study on preparation and electrochemical properties of balsa wood derived self-supporting carbon-sulfur cathodes

  CAO Tuotuo, YAN Yinglin, REN Bing, YANG Rong

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 103-110. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.012

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  The traditional cathode of lithium-sulfur batteries prepared via the blade-coating method presents poor actual energy density due to the addition of conductive agents, binders, and metal current collectors. Balsa wood was delignified and then carbonized to obtain a porous carbon material with ordered pores. After being composed with sulfur, the composite was used as a self-supporting cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries. It exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. The self-supporting cathode material derived from delignified balsa wood exhibited an initial discharge specific capacity of 1094.6 mAh/g under the condition of 0.1 C. After 100 cycles, it could maintain a reversible discharge specific capacity of 702.9 mAh/g, with a retention rate of 64.1%. The naturally ordered porous structure of wood was beneficial for the storage and transportation of active substances, providing a low-cost and renewable raw material of carbon skeleton for the self-supporting cathodes of lithium-sulfur batteries.
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  Electrothermal and de-icing performance of graphene-modified polyurethane heating Films

  FU Xiaoliang, LI Qinliang, WANG Peng, ZHAO Renhang, YUAN Xiaoya

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 111-118. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.013

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  Wind turbine blades are highly prone to ice accumulation in winter, leading to reduced power generation efficiency, unstable output power, and accelerated wear of the units. Existing de-icing technologies for wind turbine blades suffer from low efficiency and high energy consumption. However, graphene polyurethane heating films exhibit excellent electrothermal properties, offering the potential for high-efficiency de-icing of wind turbine blades. In this study, a graphene polyurethane heating film was employed as a heating element for wind turbine blade de-icing. The de-icing performance of the film was investigated under different ambient temperatures and varying ice thicknesses. Test results demonstrated that when powered at 20 V, the graphene polyurethane heating film could remove 10 cm of ice at an ambient temperature of -20 ℃ within no more than 5.35 h, with an energy consumption below 0.577 kWh.
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  Effect of polycarbosilane on the microstructure and electromagnetic

  LI Shien, CHEN Jiaxin, CHEN Ping'an, ZHU Yingli, CHEN Fu, QIAO Mengke, WU Jiang, LI Xiangcheng

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 119-128. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.014

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  Carbon-based composites are highly promising electromagnetic wave absorbing materials due to their structural designability and outstanding dielectric loss performance. However, the excessive dielectric constant of carbon-based composite materials leads to impedance mismatch, which makes it difficult to meet the requirements of strong absorption and wide bandwidth for electromagnetic wave absorbing materials. In this study, phenolic resin is employed as the matrix to investigate the effects of polycarbosilane (PCS) on the microstructure and electromagnetic properties of carbon-based composite materials derived from phenolic resin. The results indicate that under a heat treatment temperature of 1 000 ℃, when the mass ratio of phenolic resin to PCS is 1∶1, a large number of SiC and carbon nanotubes are in-situ generated in the carbon-based composite materials derived from phenolic resin. This enhances the dielectric loss capability of the materials and improves the impedance matching performance. When the thickness of the absorbing body is 1.8 mm, the minimum reflection loss (RL_min) reaches -46.80 dB, and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) is 5.52 GHz. This work has developed a novel method for effectively improving the impedance matching of carbon-based composite materials derived from phenolic resin.
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  Study oninfluencing factors of mechanical behavior of polydimethylsiloxane

  HUO Jiakang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 129-134. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.015

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  To investigate the mechanical behavior of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in aging-related applications, tensile tests were conducted to elucidate the effects of mixing ratio, stress-strain curve definitions, and tensile (strain) rate on elastic modulus and stress-strain curves. The results demonstrated that the actual elastic modulus is significantly dependent on the definition of stress-strain, mixing ratio, and tensile rate. Under varying mixing ratios and tensile rates, the true stress-true strain definition yielded higher stress values and elastic modulus compared to engineering stress-strain and true stress-engineering strain definitions. The elastic modulus increased with higher base-to-curing-agent ratios until reaching a 9∶1 ratio, beyond which further increase in the ratio led to a decline in modulus. These findings provided critical guidance for designing in vitro experiments to simulate arterial walls using PDMS elastomers, enabling deeper investigation into complex blood flow-artery interactions. This work also offered foundational support for addressing bottlenecks in flexible device development within aging societies.
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  Study on detection performance of functionalized microspheres and probes based on metal-enhanced fluorescence effect

  ZHENG Yilong, XIANG Qing, LIU Shengdong, CHEN Junjie, WANG Hao, ZHANG Huanhuan, MIN Yonggang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 135-143. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.016

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  This work involves the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using a seed-mediated method. Subsequently, uniform spherical Au NPs were obtained through etching and a silicon dioxide shell was constructed on their surface to avoid quenching of fluorescence. We modified PS microspheres with spherical Au NPs and functionalized them with antibody proteins to obtain functionalized microspheres with specific recognition ability. Then, we prepared fluorescent probes using silica-coated Au NPs and functionalized these probes with antibody proteins to give them specific recognition ability too. We characterized the materials at each stage using field-emission SEM, steady-state transient fluorescence spectrometer, multi-functional microplate detector, and multi-angle particle size & high-sensitivity Zeta potential analyzer. Finally, we achieved highly sensitive detection of cTnI using the functionalized microspheres and fluorescent probes. The double-layer Au NPs in the immuno-sandwich structure significantly enhanced the fluorescence signal, achieving a low detection limit (LOD=0.33 ng/mL).
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  Catalytic performance of Cu/ZnO catalysts with Cu^x+-Zn^x+ conformational relationship study

  HE Pengcheng, CHEN Yanbin, GAO Wengui, CHEN Zhiyuan

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 144-153. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.017

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  Carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol is a very clean carbon utilization technology, which not only slows down the greenhouse effect, but also produces many high value-added products. The intrinsic active sites of Cu/ZnO catalysts and their interactions of Cu and Zn have been a hot topic for discussion, and the interaction mechanism of each valence Cu and Zn in the composite valence Cu-based catalysts has not been profoundly elaborated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction mechanism between Cu and ZnO, the source of active sites in the composite valence Cu-based catalysts, and the reasons for maintaining the stability of the activity by regulating the proportion of Cu in each valence in the composite valence Cu-based catalysts. The XRD and XPS studies showed that the Cu/ZnO catalysts prepared hydrothermally by selecting the Cu/ZnO catalysts with certain reducing precursors contained composite valence Cu, and the CO₂ conversion rate of the catalysts was improved by the regulation of Cu/ZnO catalysts in the Cu/ZnO catalysts. The CO₂ conversion and methanol selectivity of the catalysts can reach 11.55% and 75%, respectively.
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  Study on toughening mechanism and low-temperature mechanical properties of nano-SiO₂ modified recycled concrete

  MA Ruiyan, HUO Ziwei, ZHANG Xiaoyan, LI Ye, ZHANG Ziwen

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 154-162. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.018

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  Using as the reinforcing phase, nano-SiO₂ particles were incorporated into polypropylene fiber recycled concrete. The effects of nano-SiO₂ content (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%) on the microstructure, failure mode, mechanical properties and frost resistance of recycled concrete were systematically studied, and the toughening mechanism was analyzed in depth. The results showed that nano-SiO₂ optimized the microstructure of concrete through nucleation effect and volcanic ash reaction, significantly improving its frost resistance and durability. When the content of nano SiO₂ was 1.5%, the compressive strength and flexural strength of recycled concrete reached their maximum values at 28 d, which were 44.3 and 6.2 MPa, respectively, an increase of 31.5% and 17.0% compared to the benchmark group. The freeze-thaw test showed that after 100 cycles, when the content of nano-SiO₂ was 1.5%, the mass loss rate of recycled concrete was the lowest at -0.277%, the maximum relative dynamic elastic modulus was 80.33%, and the residual ratio of compressive strength was the highest at 0.84. The microscopic analysis showed that nano-SiO₂ could effectively fill the pores and promoted the formation of C-S-H gel, and inhibited the freeze-thaw damage. However, if the doping amount exceeded 1.5%, the particles would be agglomerated, reducing the strengthening effect. Comprehensive analysis showed that when the content of nano-SiO₂ was 1.5%, the performance of recycled concrete was optimal, which could provide reference for the durability design of recycled concrete in cold regions.
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  Preparation of mixed-phase α/β-Ni_1-xCr_x(OH)₂ and study on their electrochemical performance

  ZHAO Nana, ZHANG Xinyao, WANG Hai, ZHOU Xinghui, SHEN Juncheng, GUAN Mingyun

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 163-169. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.019

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  The mixed-phase α/β-Ni_1-xCr_x(OH)₂ with a plate-like structure was synthesized via a hydrothermal method. XRD characterization revealed that the β-phase, α-phase, and mixed-phase α/β-Ni_1-xCr_x(OH)₂ could be easily obtained by adjusting the Cr³⁺ doping concentration. CV and EIS tests demonstrated that the mixed-phase α/β-Ni_1-xCr_x(OH)₂ (x=0.03-0.10) exhibited superior electrochemical performance compared to the pure β- and α-phases. The optimal performance was achieved at a Cr doping level of 3%. Using the α/β-Ni_0.97Cr_0.03(OH)₂ with 3% Cr content as the positive electrode for assembling NiZn batteries, the electrochemical test results show that its maximum energy density is 250.49 Wh/kg, and after 1 500 cycles, it still maintains an energy density of 246.26 Wh/kg, with a capacity retention rate of 98.3% and Coulombic efficiency above 98%, demonstrating excellent cycling stability.
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  Studyon the preparation and photocatalytic performance of in situ carbon-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts

  LUO Xiangbin, ZHOU Ke, YIN Xin, LIU Zhiying, XIONG Deli, XIA Haoxiang, ZHAO Ziyi, SHI Yue, JIA Bi

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 170-177. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.020

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  In recent years, the increasingly severe energy crisis and environmental problems have raised urgent demands for sustainable development. The development of efficient and stable photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants has become a research hotspot. This paper innovatively proposes a solvent hydrothermal-calcination method for in-situ synthesis of controllable C-doped TiO₂. This method uses solvent hydrothermal to prepare TiO₂ with surface adsorption of ethylene glycol, and conducts annealing treatment in an argon atmosphere to decompose the surface adsorbed ethylene glycol with ethylene glycol as the carbon source, allowing the C-carbon atoms to enter the TiO₂ lattice and replace oxygen atoms to form Ti-C bonds. By controlling the annealing temperature (200, 300, 400, 500 ℃), the band gap width of TiO₂ can be regulated (3.15-2.25 eV). The results of methylene blue (MB) photocatalytic degradation experiments show that TiO₂-300 has excellent photocatalytic activity. Under visible light irradiation, the degradation rate of MB within 120 min can reach 97.6%, which is 3.88 times and 1.97 times that of intrinsic TiO₂ and commercial P25, respectively. The h+ and ·O₂- are the main active substances driving the photocatalytic decomposition of TiO₂-300. The solvent hydrothermal-calcination method proposed in this paper can provide beneficial methods and conditions for the preparation of highly active TiO₂-based photocatalysts.
Process & Technology
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  Preparation of ZIF-8/ZIF-67 composite membranes and their N₂/CO₂ separation performance

  CHEN Fan, WANG Yonghong

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 178-187. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.021

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  To enable efficient capture low concentration CO₂ flue gas, the heterostructure ZIF-8/ZIF-67 composite membrane exhibiting N₂ preferential permeation was designed. The polysulfone (PSf) porous membrane served as the support layer. Surface modification of PSf support was achieved via the Zn²⁺-chitosan (CS) crosslinking layer, which provided anchored Zn²⁺ sites to induce the formation of the ZIF-8 seed layer. Subsequently, the ZIF-67 layer was epitaxially grown on this surface. Finally, the ZIF-8/ZIF-67 was prepared by coating with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The chemical structure, elemental composition, crystalline characteristics, and thermal stability of the composite membrane was characterized by ATR-FTIR, XPS, XRD and TGA, and the surface morphology was observed by SEM and EDX. Systematic investigation of the growth conditions of the ZIF-8 crystal seed layer and ZIF-67 layer revealed impact on membrane separation performance. The ZIF-8/ZIF-67 demonstrated notable gas separation performance, with N₂ permeance of 139 GPU and N₂/CO₂ selectivity of 36.3 at 25 ℃ and 0.05 MPa. The adsorption capacity of the membranes for CO₂ was enhanced by the construction of the bimetallic active sites of Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺, which led to the difficulty of CO₂ desorption, thus realizing the N₂ preferential permeation.
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  Study on dynamic tensile properties of hybrid fiber reinforced seawater coral cementitious composites

  ZHANG Xiaoyu, MU Chaomin, QIN Yulin, CHEN Yi, ZHANG Yu

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 188-200. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.022

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  Enhancing the dynamic tensile properties of seawater coral sand engineered cementitious composites (SCECC) is of significant importance for island reef engineering construction. To investigate the dynamic tensile performance of SCECC reinforced with hybrid steel fibers (SF) and polypropylene fibers (PPF), dynamic splitting tensile tests were conducted on SCECC containing different volume fractions of PPF under varying strain rates. We analyzed the dynamic tensile strength, dynamic increase factor (DIF), and specimen failure modes, and carried out numerical simulations of the dynamic splitting tensile test process using mesoscopic modeling techniques. The results show that the synergy between SF and PPF can improve both the static and dynamic tensile strengths of SCECC. When the PPF content is 0.2%, the maximum dynamic tensile strength increases by 44.91%. The hybrid S-PPF can enhance the strain rate sensitivity of SCECC, and when 0.2% PPF is mixed, the maximum DIF reaches 2.53. S-PPF also mitigates the tensile stress concentration effect, and the specimen exhibits the lowest degree of damage when the PPF content is 0.2%. The dynamic splitting tensile numerical simulations based on mesoscopic modeling are consistent with the experiments, confirming that the mixed use of SF and PPF under dynamic loading improves the toughness of SCECC.
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  Microstructural evolution and methylene blue adsorption mechanism of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl waste-derived hydrochar regulated by carbonization temperature gradient

  ZHANG Yutao, XIANG Xingjia, ZHONG Lei, ZHANG Jie, LI Guilong, PENG Xinhua, LIU Jia

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 201-208. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.023

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  This study utilized waste Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl as raw material to prepare biomass materials via hydrothermal carbonization, based on gradient temperature regulation of 180-260 ℃, systematically investigating the influence of carbonization temperature on the microstructural evolution of hydrochar and the adsorption mechanism of methylene blue (MB), aiming to reveal the correlation mechanism among temperature gradient, microstructure, and adsorption performance, and providing theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of agricultural and forestry waste. The results demonstrated that carbonization temperature significantly regulated the evolution process of hydrochar microstructure. With the temperature increasing from 180 ℃ to 220 ℃, SEM characterization showed that the pore structure gradually developed and formed a fibrous network, and BET analysis confirmed that hydrochar at this stage possessed both the maximum specific surface area (5.79 m²/g) and pore volume (0.029 cm³/g). When the temperature further increased to 260 ℃, high temperature induced pore collapse and generated heterogeneous macropores, leading to microstructure degradation. FTIR analysis indicated that hydrochar at 220 ℃ retained critical polar functional groups (C—O), whereas hydrochar at 260 ℃ exhibited reduced hydroxyl (—OH) content owing to dehydration and condensation reactions. Adsorption experiments demonstrated that the adsorption of MB by camphor tree hydrochar was better fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm model, suggesting a synergistic adsorption process dominated by chemical adsorption and multilayer interactions. Notably, hydrochar at 220 ℃ achieved a MB adsorption capacity of 35.72 mg/g, attributed to its optimized microstructural and surface chemical properties. This study clarified the regulation rules of carbonization temperature gradient on the microstructural evolution of hydrochar, revealed the intrinsic correlation between microstructure and adsorption mechanism, and provided process optimization directions and theoretical support for the resource utilization of camphor tree waste to prepare high-performance hydrochar.
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  Preparation of flame-retardant polyvinyl alcohol with low plasticizer mobility by melt processing based on ZnO synergistic with a new phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardant system

  ZHAO Maotong, XU Wenzong, XUAN Ziyi, LIU Julan, SU Lulu, ZHANG Yi

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 209-218. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.024

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  Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a biodegradable material, but it is flammable, and the liquid plasticizer added during melt processing easily migrates to the surface of the PVA film, which limits its application range. In this study, solid polyols were used to partially replace the liquid plasticizer in the melt processing of PVA, which improved the easy migration of the plasticizer to the surface of the PVA film. A new type of DOPO-based ammonium phosphonate salt (DOPOP) was synthesized by the reaction of DOPO derivatives (DOPO-OH) and p-phenylenediamine, and it was compounded with zinc oxide (ZnO) and added to PVA to prepare a composite material. The results show that the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of the PVA composite with 9 wt% DOPOP and 1 wt% ZnO is 28.8%, the UL-94 grade is V-1, and there is no melt dripping phenomenon. The peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) of the composite material are reduced by 34.3% and 31.29% respectively compared with pure PVA. Although the addition of flame retardant has a certain degree of influence on the melting temperature and melt flow rate, it can still meet the needs of melt processing. This study provides a new idea for the preparation of flame-retardant PVA composites with low plasticizer mobility by melt processing.
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  Preparation and application of starch/κ-carrageenan based superabsorbent hydrogel soil water retaining agent

  XU Wenbo, YANG Yu, NING Xuan, ZHANG Jianfeng, LI Meixiu, LIU Qingye, LI Xiaojun

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 219-225. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.025

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  An all-biomass-based superabsorbent hydrogel was fabricated via a one-pot method using starch (S) and κ-carrageenan (C) as raw materials with epichlorohydrin (ECH) as crosslinker. The swelling behavior and underlying mechanisms were investigated to explore its potential as a soil water-retaining agent in agriculture. The hydrogel demonstrated exceptional swelling properties and environmental stability, with a maximum equilibrium swelling ratio of 524.0 g/g. Its swelling behavior conformed to both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order swelling kinetic models. Hemp cultivation experiments revealed that the hydrogel significantly improved soil moisture content, enhanced agronomic traits, and increased crop yield. This kind of hydrogel favored the improvement of soil moisture and promotion of hemp growth. As a bio-based water-retaining agent, it provided an ideal solution for crop cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions, demonstrating great application prospects.
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  Research on the frost resistance of nano-SiO₂ rubber recycled concrete

  HUANG Huangjun, TU Yanping, DENG Li, CHENG Shukai, WEI Jimin

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 226-234. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.026

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  In this study, rubber recycled concrete (RRC) was fabricated by partially replacing natural aggregates with waste crumb rubber (CR) and recycled aggregates (RA), incorporating nano-SiO₂ (NS) as supplementary cementitious material. The influence of single NS addition and combined CR addition on the freeze-thaw durability of recycled concrete (RC) was examined. Results indicated that the RC control specimen demonstrated the poorest freeze-thaw durability. Incorporation of NS was found to reduce the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) width in RC and mitigate strength loss post-freeze-thaw cycles, although the enhancement in freeze-thaw resistance was not substantial, allowing only an additional 25 freeze-thaw cycles compared to the RC control. Conversely, while the inclusion of CR resulted in suboptimal ITZ development and elevated slump and strength loss, it notably retarded the degradation of E_n during freeze-thaw cycling. It also effectively curtailed the increase in W_n and ITZ width under freeze-thaw conditions, thereby augmenting the frost resistance of RC. The optimal frost resistance for RC was achieved at a CR content of 15%, exhibiting W_n and E_n values of 3.8% and 60.5%, respectively, following 200 freeze-thaw cycles. At a CR content of 20%, although the ITZ width increase after 100 freeze-thaw cycles was merely 0.9%, E_n deteriorated to 53.39%. Coupled with the observed weak ITZ microstructure before and after freeze-thaw cycles, this confirmed the 20% CR specimen exhibited the poorest freeze-thaw performance among the RRC groups tested.
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  Antibacterial properties of microwave-responsive Fe₃O₄/ZnTCPP nanomaterials

  WANG Baihui, CHENG Hao, ZHANG Xiangyu

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 235-242. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.027

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  Intelligent responsive antibacterial materials have broad application prospects in the biomedical field. Currently, the materials that have been studied most extensively are those with light-responsive properties. However, the penetration ability of light is limited, which restricts their application in the field of deep infections. To address this issue, microwave-responsive Fe₃O₄/ZnTCPP composite nanoantibacterial materials were successfully prepared using the hydrothermal method and characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS. It was found that spherical Fe₃O₄ was successfully covalently bonded to the surface of the lamellar ZnTCPP. The microwave absorption performance of the composite materials was analyzed by examining the reflection loss value (RL) and the comprehensive electromagnetic parameters. The composite materials exhibited different microwave absorption properties under different frequency conditions. Fe₃O₄/ZnTCPP demonstrated excellent microwave thermal effect and microwave dynamic performance. In vitro antibacterial tests showed that due to the synergistic effect of microwave heating and the generated reactive oxygen species, the bacteria were lysed and proteins leaked. Fe₃O₄/ZnTCPP exhibited excellent antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, with an antibacterial rate of 99.8±0.14%. Cell skeleton staining experiments and MTT experiments proved that Fe₃O₄/ZnTCPP had good biocompatibility. This microwave-responsive Fe₃O₄/ZnTCPP composite nanoantibacterial material has potential application prospects in the treatment of deep infections.
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  Study on thermal fatigue damage and properties of W-Re alloy

  PANG Binghe, LI Yungang, QI Yanfei, YANG Luqi, CHEN Yanbing

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 243-250. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.028

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  As a plasma-facing material (PFM), tungsten is exposed to extreme high-temperature environments in nuclear fusion reactors for extended periods, enduring intense bombardment from particle fluxes (ions, neutrons, electrons) and their associated energy deposition. Under high heat flux, thermal stresses develop on the material surface, leading to the formation of thermal fatigue damage. This study systematically investigates the damage behavior of pure W and W-Re alloys with varying Re contents (1.5%, 4.5%, 6%, and 10%) under cyclic thermal loading. The research aims to elucidate the influence of Re content on thermal fatigue lifetime, crack initiation and propagation, as well as the underlying thermal fatigue damage mechanisms of W-Re alloys. High-density W-Re alloys were fabricated via powder metallurgy combined with hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Microstructural characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), LSM800 automated 3D surface topography analysis, nanoindentation, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed to analyze microstructural evolution, surface morphology, mechanical properties, and phase composition during thermal fatigue. The results demonstrate that the addition of Re improves thermal fatigue resistance compared to pure W. However, the enhancement in thermal fatigue performance does not increase monotonically with higher Re content. Instead, an optimal Re concentration of 6% was found to most effectively suppress thermal fatigue damage, depending on cyclic temperature or loading frequency.
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  Effects of Cu, Nb and Mo additions on soft magnetic properties and thermal expansion stability of Fe-32Ni-5Co

  CHEN Yingming, YU Yipeng, WANG Jing, LUO Xi, LIU Junkai, ZHANG Jinglin, ZHANG Jianfu

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 251-259. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.029

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  The impact of adding Cu, Nb, and Mo alloying elements on the soft magnetic and thermal expansion properties of a super Invar alloy was explored. Techniques like XRD, SEM, TEM-EDS, and MFM were used to characterize the alloy's microstructure and magnetic domain structure. The alloy's soft magnetic and expansion properties were measured, and the influence of alloying elements was analyzed. It was found that the super Invar alloy without additions undergoes an austenite to needle-martensite structural transformation at low temperatures (-20 ℃), but the addition of alloy elements effectively suppress this phase change, reducing the phase transformation temperature below -60 ℃. Cu is uniformly distributed in the matrix, causing lattice distortion and lattice energy increase. Adding 0.65wt% Cu increases the initial permeability (μ_0.4) and reduces the coercivity (Hc) to 11.85 A/m. Nb and Mo form NbC or (Nb, Mo)C carbides as secondary phases, creating a grain boundary pinning effect. This makes the alloy's low-temperature microstructure more stable and improves its soft magnetic properties, enhancing the μ_0.4 and maximum permeability (μ_m), while reducing the residual flux density (Br) and Hc. Moreover, the super Invar alloy after alloying regulation maintains stable thermal expansion characteristics, with the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) exhibiting excellent temperature stability in the temperature range of -60 ℃ to 100 ℃. Among them, the alloy adding 0.28wt% Nb maintains a CTE of less than 0.3×10^-6/℃ across temperature segments.
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  Synthesis and properties of γ-aminobutyric acid-stilbene- polyvinyl alcohol fluorescent whitening agent

  RAO Feiqing, HUA Li, WAN Maosheng, ZHOU Rongai, WANG Bo, ZHOU Yanyan

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(1): 260-265. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.01.030

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  γ-Aminobutyric acid-stilbene-polyvinyl alcohol fluorescent whitening agent was synthesized using 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl-2,2′-disulfonic acid, 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and polyvinyl alcohol 1788 as raw materials through a three-step continuous condensation reaction. Using hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and infrared spectra were used to characterize the structure of target product. By ultraviolet absorption spectra and fluorescence emission spectra, the optical properties were investigated, and thermal stability was tested with thermogravimetric analyzer. The effect of compound 7 on the whiteness, chromaticity, and surface finishing of filter paper was studied by dyeing paper at different dyeing concentrations and pH. The results showed that the γ-aminobutyric acid-styrene-polyvinyl alcohol fluorescent whitening agent had strong optical properties, photostability and acid resistance. The whiteness of the treated filter paper increased from 78.22 to 128.77, and the yellow blue index decreased from 2.68 to -7.68. The whitening and color enhancement effect was very significant. In a weakly acidic environment, the whiteness only decreased by 4.19. Moreover, the fluorescent whitening agent also had a surface finishing effect, and the appearance of the treated paper was smoother.