30 July 2026, Volume 57 Issue 7

    

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Performance Enhancement and Functional Innovation of Inorganic Non-Metallic Materials
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  The influence and mechanism of nano-silica sol on the properties of ferraluminate cement

  CHEN Wenjuan, MEI Junpeng, WANG Ying, DAI Junjie, YANG Shilin

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.001

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  This paper systematically studied the effects of nano-silica sol (NSS) on the fluidity, setting time, compressive strength, drying shrinkage rate, mass loss, resistivity and internal temperature of ferroaluminate cement (FAC). The phase composition and microstructural evolution of the hydration products were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that NSS significantly reduces the fluidity, shortens the setting time, enhances the early-age strength, and decreases the drying shrinkage and mass loss. Resistivity, internal temperature, and XRD test results collectively confirm the accelerating effect of NSS on early-age hydration of FAC, as demonstrated by an earlier rise in resistivity, earlier internal temperature peaks, and an increased formation of hydration products. However, NSS adversely influences the microstructure at later stages (28 d), resulting in a decrease in strength.
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  Effect of carbon powder content on piezoelectric catalytic properties of γ-AlON powder prepared by CRN method

  HAO Nengwang, WANG Wei, WANG Siqing, ZHU Dan, DAI Yu

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 9-18. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.002

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  γ-AlON powders with varying carbon powder content were prepared via carbonthermal reduction nitridation method. Morphological and structural characterization of the synthesized powders was conducted using SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and TEM-EDS. Piezoelectric catalytic degradation experiments were performed to compare the piezoelectric catalytic performance of γ-AlON powders with different carbon powder contents and catalytic conditions. The results demonstrated that γ-AlON powders with 5.2% carbon powder content (mass fraction) exhibited superior piezoelectric catalytic activity, attributed to the release of more superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals. The catalytic performance was optimal at a catalyst addition of 40 mg, and the powders showed good catalytic effects on various dyes. Combined with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and radical trapping experiments, the mechanism of γ-AlON powders' piezoelectric catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye was revealed, where superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and holes served as the primary reaction species for pollutant degradation. Additionally, γ-AlON powders demonstrated excellent stability and reusability.
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  Study on the evolution law of key properties of marine concrete with composite cement

  CHEN Xiao, ZHANG Lianghong, ZHENG Zhefeng, DING Qingjun, ZHOU Mingkai

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 19-28. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.003

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  Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is highly vulnerable to degradation in marine environments due to the ingress of aggressive ions such as chlorides and sulfates, posing significant risks to its structural integrity. To enhance the durability of marine concrete, this study utilized a Portland-ferroaluminate composite cement system. The influence of ferroaluminate clinker (FAC) replacement ratios (0%, 25%, 50%, and 100%) on the mechanical properties, volumetric stability, and chloride permeability of C30 and C50 concrete was systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that FAC significantly modulates the concrete's key performance metrics, with the 25% replacement ratio yielding optimal results. After 180 d of seawater curing, the compressive strengths of C30 and C50 concrete improved by 28.1% and 30.8%, while flexural strengths rose by 35.8% and 22.6%, respectively, compared to the control groups. Notably, FAC effectively mitigated the performance gap between seawater and freshwater environments. The compressive strength discrepancy dropped from 34.9% to 7.8% for C30 and from 30.3% to a mere 2.2% for C50. Regarding volumetric stability, the 25% FAC group exhibited a reduction in expansion strains by 48.0% (C30) and 51.1% (C50) in seawater at 90 d. Chloride penetration resistance also improved, with 180-day electric flux values decreasing by 22.1% and 27.4% for C30 and C50, respectively, under seawater curing—an effect more pronounced in the high-strength C50 system. Microstructural analysis revealed that FAC induces the nucleation and growth of acicular ettringite crystals, which densify the matrix by filling internal pores and reducing pore connectivity. This reinforcement mechanism is particularly effective in high-strength C50 concrete characterized by a low water-binder ratio.
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  Oxygen vacancies-multi-scale interface collaborative optimization of the thermoelectric properties of titanium oxide ceramics

  SUN Kangting, DONG Zhongping

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 29-34. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.004

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  To synergistically optimize the thermoelectric transport properties of titanium oxide ceramic thermoelectric materials and enhance their thermoelectric conversion efficiency, in this study, carbon-containing precursors synthesized by the sol-gel method were mixed with silicon nitride at different mass ratios and sintered in an argon atmosphere at high temperatures to prepare a series of ceramic samples. Their phase composition, microstructure, and thermoelectric properties at 323 K to 873 K were characterized. The results show that the addition of silicon nitride during the preparation process can promote the formation of oxygen vacancies in titanium oxide ceramics, increase their density, and form multiphase heterointerfaces. When the mass ratio of silicon nitride is 0.03, the porosity of the sample is reduced to 20%, and the weighted carrier mobility and concentration at 873 K are increased to 8.13 cm²/(V·s) and 0.88×10²⁰ cm^-3, respectively. The lattice thermal conductivity significantly decreases in the medium and high-temperature regions. Ultimately, the thermoelectric figure of merit reaches 0.16. This study provides a new strategy for the performance control of metal oxide thermoelectric materials.
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  Solid-like and liquid-like dynamical crossover in Ca-Si-O network glasses

  YAN Yuanhao, YU Wangyu, ZHANG Dianmo, SUN Deyan

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 35-40. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.005

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  This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the dynamical behavior of supercooled liquids in Ca-Si-O network glass systems, with particular emphasis on the solid-like to liquid-like dynamical crossover. Three compositions (CaSiO₃, Ca₂SiO₄ and Ca₃SiO₅) are examined under three cooling rates (10¹⁰、10¹¹ and 10¹² K/s) via quenching simulations. By analyzing the ratio of relaxation times between the center-of-mass motion and relative motion of nearest-neighbor atomic pairs (γ_τ), we find that γ_τ exhibits a pronounced non-monotonic temperature dependence in the supercooled regime, with a distinct minimum at a characteristic temperature T_x This behavior indicates the presence of a solid-like to liquid-like dynamical crossover in these systems. The results further show that this crossover is largely insensitive to the cooling rate, but is significantly enhanced with increasing Ca content, and is closely correlated with glass fragility. Based on a simplified dynamical model, the physical origin of the γ_τ minimum is analyzed, and the role of the Si-O network structure in governing the crossover behavior is further discussed. These findings suggest that the solid-like to liquid-like dynamical crossover exhibits a degree of universality in network glass systems, providing a new perspective for understanding the microscopic dynamical mechanisms underlying glass fragility.
Focuses & Concerns
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  Machine learning prediction of Zintl phase compound properties

  SUN Boyu, LIU Yihe, LIU Jingya, LI Xiaoyu

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 41-50. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.006

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  This study addresses the high-throughput screening challenge for complex thermoelectric material systems like Zintl phases. Current methods heavily rely on costly first-principles calculations, which hinders the efficiency of material discovery. To overcome this limitation, we integrated the Materials Project database with Boltzmann transport theory to construct a thermoelectric property dataset comprising 8 059 materials. Building upon this, we innovatively proposed a hybrid machine learning model that couples a Crystal Graph Convolutional Neural Network (CGCNN) with Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). This model can accurately predict the power factor of materials based solely on their crystal structure and composition, eliminating the need for additional density functional theory calculations. Applying this framework, we successfully identified 223 high-performance Zintl phase compounds from a vast pool of candidates. Our work not only provides a concrete candidate list for the experimental exploration of Zintl phase thermoelectrics but, more importantly, establishes a transferable, “data-driven and physics-informed” new paradigm for materials design, offering an efficient pathway to accelerate the development of high-performance functional materials.
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  Study on stress wave propagation and damage modes of filtering concrete under impact loading

  WU Jiayu, MA Gang, REN Biaokun

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 51-59. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.007

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  Based on the bandgap characteristics of locally resonant metamaterials, a filtering concrete with stress wave attenuation properties is designed by embedding metal cores coated with an elastic layer into a concrete matrix. Employing a combined approach of experimental testing and numerical simulation, the stress wave propagation behavior and damage patterns in filtering concrete bars under impact loading are systematically investigated. Through dynamic impact tests, the propagation laws and attenuation characteristics of stress waves along the path before and after the filtering units are comprehensively analyzed. Numerical simulations are used to systematically study the dynamic response of filtering concrete bars under impact loading. The results indicate that, compared to ordinary concrete bars, filtering concrete bars demonstrate significant advantages in stress wave attenuation, particularly within the bandgap frequency range where the transmission ratio of characteristic frequency stress waves is markedly reduced. The introduction of filtering units significantly weakens the intensity of characteristic frequency stress waves, thereby effectively lowering the peak value of the overall stress wave. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to the local resonance effect of the filtering units, which facilitates the generation of elastic wave bandgap characteristics within the filtering concrete. Specifically, the periodically distributed local resonance units utilize their mechanical properties to exhibit the effect of blocking the propagation of elastic waves within specific frequency bands, consequently achieving efficient dissipation of stress wave energy.
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  Evaluation of noise reduction performance of high-viscosity porous asphalt concrete under plateau freezing conditions

  MA Feng, CHEN Yiwei, WEI Zhenxun, DONG Wenhao, FU Zhen, PENG Chong

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 60-68. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.008

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  To reveal the degradation law of noise reduction performance of porous asphalt concrete under freezing conditions in plateau regions, this study employed self-developed high-viscosity asphalt to prepare specimens with different void ratios, nominal maximum aggregate sizes, and gradation types. Their sound absorption coefficients were determined under both unfrozen and frozen states by means of a standing wave–based acoustic measurement approach. Considering the spectral characteristics of road traffic noise, multiple evaluation parameters, such as the freezing impact index and the effective bandwidth retention rate, were developed. Based on these parameters, an integrated sound absorption index was established to quantitatively characterize the freeze-resistant sound absorption performance of asphalt concrete across different structural configurations. The results show that freezing conditions significantly weaken the sound absorption capacity of the mixture, with the peak sound absorption frequency generally shifting toward lower frequencies. Although void ratio can improve sound absorption performance, its positive regulatory effect is notably limited after freezing. Larger nominal maximum aggregate size maintains better high-frequency sound absorption ability under freezing conditions, demonstrating good stability in pore drainage and sound reflection/scattering. Differences in gradation tend to weaken after freezing, leading to more consistent acoustic performance across mixtures. Comprehensive evaluation results indicate that in plateau freezing environments, porous asphalt mixtures with a void ratio of approximately 20%, larger aggregate size, and fine gradation exhibit the best sound absorption performance.
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  Comprehensive experimental design for the preparation and catalytic performance evaluation of metal-doped nitrogen-containing carbon materials using dicyandiamide

  HE Tao, LI Guisheng, WANG Hongyuan, GAO Hongyi

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 69-74. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.009

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  In this experiment, dicyandiamide was used as the nitrogen source, and four common transition metals served as catalytic active sites. A series of metal/nitrogen-doped carbon materials with high metal loading were synthesized via a one-pot pyrolysis method. The anchoring effect of nitrogen-containing coordination sites facilitated the highly dispersed loading of active metals during low-temperature pyrolysis, while the decomposition of nitrogen in the precursor contributed to the formation of a hierarchical pore structure, enabling efficient catalytic oxidation of n-pentanethiol. The materials were characterized using large-scale instruments such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, nitrogen physical adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.
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  Preparation and properties of UV-curing adhesives

  ZHENG Cancan, ZHANG Huiyuan, DONG Tianhong, LU Qiuling, XU Dongsheng, ZHANG Rui, HE Yong

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 75-83. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.010

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  Indium high-efficiency and eco-friendly UV-curable adhesives represent an ideal alternative to traditional thermal curing processes. However, challenges such as insufficient toughness, weak adhesion, and unclear long-term electrolyte resistance remain prevalent. In this study, acrylic acid (AA) and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) were utilized as functional monomers, while polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) served as a crosslinker. Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide/4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid ethyl ester (TPO/EDB) was employed as photoinitiators to prepare a crosslinked P(AA-co-HEA) network adhesive with exceptional comprehensive properties via UV irradiation for 3 s. The adhesive solution exhibited a low viscosity of 2.8 mPa·s. The resulting adhesive film demonstrated a low volatile organic compounds (VOC) content of 0.8±0.01 wt%, tensile strength of (4.2±1.4)MPa, elongation at break of (67.4±7.1)%, glass transition temperature of 28.8 ℃, and thermal decomposition temperature of 276 ℃. Notably, it maintained complete adhesion for up to 16 d in an electrolyte solution with a swelling rate below (8.5±1.0)%, indicating excellent adhesion stability and resistance to electrolytes.
Review & Advance
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  Nitrogen-doped carbon materials: properties and application research

  WEN Minghan, WANG Yu, GAO Aijun, TONG Yuanjian

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 84-93. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.011

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  Heteroatom doping has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance the physicochemical and electrochemical performance of carbon materials. By incorporating elements such as nitrogen, sulfur, boron, phosphorus, and cobalt into the carbon lattice, the electronic structure, defect density, and surface chemistry of carbon frameworks can be finely tuned. Among them, nitrogen doping is particularly significant due to its comparable atomic size and electronegativity with carbon, which enables the formation of pyridinic, pyrrolic, and graphitic nitrogen configurations. These nitrogen species synergistically modulate charge distribution, increase active sites, and improve conductivity, thereby enhancing catalytic, adsorption, and energy storage capabilities. This review systematically summarizes the synthesis strategies, structural regulation, and multifunctional applications of nitrogen-doped carbon materials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes, porous carbons, and activated carbons. The effects of nitrogen content and bonding configurations on their electronic, catalytic, and mechanical properties are discussed in depth. Special emphasis is placed on nitrogen-doped carbon fibers, where moderate nitrogen incorporation (2-5 wt%) has been shown to improve interlayer bonding, structural order, and interface adhesion, while excessive doping (>8 wt%) may introduce defects and reduce strength. Finally, the review highlights current challenges in controlling nitrogen configurations and content uniformity, and proposes future directions toward atomic-level doping control and quantitative correlations between nitrogen structure and material performance, providing theoretical guidance for the design of next-generation high-performance carbon materials.
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  Research progress on transition metal catalysts for seawater oxidation

  ZHANG Shu, XUE Xindi, CHEN Jiahao, CHEN Ligui, ZHANG Junjun, BAO Weiwei

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 94-103. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.012

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  With the continuous rise in global energy demand and the growing severity of environmental issues caused by fossil fuels, the development of clean and renewable energy carriers has become a research focus. Hydrogen energy, recognized for its high energy density and clean, pollution-free advantages, is regarded as an ideal alternative energy source. Electrochemical water splitting is an important pathway for producing green hydrogen, however, the scarcity of freshwater resources limit its large-scale application. Seawater, accounting for 96.5% of global water resources, shows broad prospects for direct hydrogen production through electrolysis. Nevertheless, seawater electrolysis faces key challenges such as competition from the chlorine evolution reaction (CER), catalyst corrosion, and impurity deposition. Transition metal-based catalysts demonstrate great potential in the field of seawater oxidation due to their abundant resources, low cost, and tunable catalytic activity. This review systematically summarizes the current research status of transition metal-based catalysts for seawater oxidation, with emphasis on design strategies, performance optimization, and reaction mechanisms, and provides an outlook on future research directions.
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  Intersection of piezoelectric materials and biomedicine: advances in cross-cutting research and applications

  ZHU Luyao, LUO Dan, LIU Huan, WANG Lin

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 104-114. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.013

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  Bioelectricity has the functions of maintaining cellular homeostasis, mediating nerve signaling and regulating muscle contraction. In living organisms, in addition to the electrophysiological activities generated by conventional ion transmembrane transport, there exists a special kind of bioelectricity-piezoelectricity, which can be generated in tissues and organs with electro-mechanical coupling characteristics or biomolecules with piezoelectric characteristics. Piezoelectric materials, as the key medium to realize the conversion of mechanical and electrical energy, show great potential in the field of biomedicine, and have been successfully applied to regenerative medicine, neuromodulation and electrical stimulation therapy, biosensing and health monitoring and other fields. Piezoelectric materials not only expand the boundaries of smart medical devices, but also open up new paths for personalized treatment and regenerative medicine. In this paper, we systematically review the recent advances in the application of piezoelectric materials, focusing on their innovative applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensing and energy harvesting. Finally, the paper summarizes the challenges and future prospects of piezoelectric materials. It is hoped that this review will provide useful reference and inspiration for the design and development of piezoelectric materials in the biomedical field.
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  Research progress in spectrally regulated aerogel materials for thermal management

  ZHU Wenxi, WANG Qinxin, CUI Sheng, ZHANG Zhen, ZHOU Cheng

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 115-123. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.014

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  Thermal management is a technology that maintains systems, equipment, etc. at an appropriate temperature by controlling and regulating heat transfer, or achieves goals such as energy conservation and improved comfort. Traditional thermal management materials exhibit poor adaptability to different application scenarios. While combining these materials with spectral regulation technology can effectively address this issue, challenges such as insufficient dynamic regulation capabilities and multispectral synergy conflicts still persist. Aerogels, however, possess advantages including strong structural plasticity and low thermal conductivity, rendering them highly promising in the field of spectral regulation. When applied to thermal management, aerogels can be efficiently integrated with spectral functions to realize dynamic thermal management. Starting from the principles of spectral regulation, this review summarizes the research status of spectrally tunable aerogels for thermal management in heating, cooling, and adaptive thermal regulation, as well as their application cases in extreme environments. The current challenges in the research, such as multifunctional integration of aerogels, precision of structural regulation, and performance stability, are highlighted, and future research directions are prospected.
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  Research progress on micro-nano structured daytime radiative cooling materials

  SUN Huimei, LUO Yuan, XIAO Weixin, YAN Kaiqi, ZHANG Jingjie

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 124-134. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.015

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  Daytime radiative cooling technology is a cooling approach characterized by zero pollution and low energy consumption. The key to achieve daytime radiative cooling is radiative cooling materials. In recent years, micro-nano structured daytime radiative cooling materials have attracted considerable attention. This paper reviews recent advances in micro-nano structured materials for daytime radiative cooling. It firstly introduces the principle of radiative cooling, followed by a detailed discussion on the design of spectral properties based on material characteristics. The intrinsic properties of materials enable high infrared emissivity in the atmospheric window, and the regulation of micro-nano structures achieve high solar reflectance. Next, the review covers synthetic polymer porous materials, natural polymer porous materials, inorganic porous materials, and organic/inorganic composite materials, and further introduces the application of radiative cooling materials in building energy conservation and personal thermal management. Finally, this paper summarizes the existing problems and discusses the future application prospects.
Research & Development
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  Performance study of Ce/g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts prepared by remote plasma

  LI Ru, CHEN Pan, XIDanzhu, WANG Yan, TANG Liang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 135-144. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.016

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  A remote argon plasma method was developed to synthesize Ce-doped g-C₃N₄ (CeCN-Ar) photocatalysts. The structure, morphology, and optical absorption properties were characterized using various techniques such as XPS, XRD, SEM, and UV-vis DRS. This approach effectively decomposed precursors into uniformly dispersed Ce nanoparticles with minimal agglomeration, in contrast to the conventional calcination method. The plasma-derived catalyst featured an optimized electronic structure, abundant oxygen vacancies, and enhanced O₂ adsorption and activation, which collectively promoted the generation of ·O^-₂ radicals. As a result, the optimized 5% CeCN-Ar catalyst showed superior visible-light photocatalytic activity for Rhodamine B degradation, outperforming pure g-C₃N₄ and its calcined counterpart by 1.5 and 1.25 times, respectively, with high stability. The capture experiment indicates that ·O^-₂ is the primary reactive species responsible for the degradation of RhB. This study validates the remote plasma strategy as a superior pathway for fabricating efficient photocatalysts with enhanced carrier separation and surface reactivity for pollutant removal.
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  The influence of WER loading on the performance of WPF-based carbon fiber paper

  LU Xuefeng, ZHANG Mengfei, LIU Cheng, HE Xue

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 145-153. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.017

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  To develop high-performance gas diffusion layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, this study proposed a physical blending modification of water-soluble phenol-formaldehyde resin with waterborne epoxy resin to fabricate carbon fiber paper with superior comprehensive properties. The effects of WER loading on the microstructure, bulk density, gas permeability, electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and single-cell performance of the carbon fiber paper were systematically investigated. Results demonstrated that the incorporation of WER significantly reduced the viscosity of the resin system and facilitated the formation of a continuous three-dimensional resin-carbon network. The sample with 5 wt% WER addition achieved the optimum bulk density, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties, exhibiting a bulk density of 0.3422 g/cm³ and an in-plane resistivity of 3.64 mΩ·cm² under 1 MPa pressure. However, in single-cell tests, the sample with 2.5 wt% WER addition exhibited the highest maximum power density of 1298.3 mW/cm², which was 110% higher than that of commercial Toray carbon paper. Further analysis revealed that this sample achieved a superior overall balance between the conductive network, pore structure, and water vapor transport capability. This work confirms the feasibility of using WER to modify WPF-based carbon fiber paper and provides a new strategy for performance optimization of GDLs.
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  Optically tunable organiccocrystals for two-photon excited fluorescence properties

  LIU Kun, ZHANG Xinyu, CHEN Yilin, WANG Hongling

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 154-160. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.018

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  Organic cocrystal materials achieve ordered assembly of donor and acceptor molecules through non-covalent interactions, and their optical properties are closely related to intermolecular charge transfer effects. Naphthalene (NA) and anthracene (AN) with distinct π-conjugated structures were adopted as electron donors, while 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) served as the electron acceptor. Two novel organic cocrystals, NA-TCNB and AN-TCNB, were successfully fabricated via a solution self-assembly method. The morphology, fluorescence properties, crystal structure and thermal stability were systematically characterized by fluorescence microscope (FM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), fluorescence spectrum (FL), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and the two-photon excited fluorescence performance was further explored. Both cocrystals exhibit one-dimensional microrods with smooth surfaces and regular morphologies, demonstrating excellent optical tunability and thermal stability. Two-photon excited fluorescence measurements reveal that both cocrystals exhibit obvious two-photon fluorescence responses, and the fluorescence intensity is linearly correlated with the square of the excitation power, confirming their up-conversion nonlinear luminescence mechanism.
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  Preparation and properties of curcumin-chitosan nanoparticle composite fiber membrane

  LIU Jingyan, CHEN Meiping, LI Rong, LU Xufeng

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 161-169. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.019

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  To improve the bioavailability and antibacterial activity of curcumin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber membranes loaded with curcumin/chitosan nanoparticles (Cur-CSNPs) (PVA/PAA/Cur-CSNPs) were prepared using polyacrylic acid (PAA)as a crosslinker. The effects of chitosan and curcumin concentrations on the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading rate of Cur-CSNPs were investigated, and the morphology, swelling property, antibacterial activity, antioxidant capacity and biocompatibility of the nanofiber membranes were characterized. The results showed that the Cur-CSNPs prepared under the optimal process were spherical with a particle size of 40-200 nm, whose encapsulation efficiency and drug loading rate reached (82.1±1.6)% and (24.3±3.2)%, respectively. The composite nanofiber membranes exhibited a bead-free structure with a fiber diameter of 395-568 nm, and their swelling rate was all over 500% (the maximum value was 776%). The nanofiber membrane with 8% Cur-CSNPs could kill 95.7% of Escherichia coli and 91.6% of Staphylococcus aureus within 6 h, with a DPPH free radical scavenging rate of 56%, and the cell viability was all above 70%. The prepared nanofiber membrane has excellent comprehensive properties and shows good application prospects in the field of wound dressings.
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  Low-temperature and atmospheric pressure preparation and energy-saving performance research of SiO₂ aerogel composite materials

  WANG Ting, ZHAO Baobao, BAI Shuo

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 170-178. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.020

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  Using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) as co-precursors, a hydrophobic modified SiO₂ aerogel composite material was prepared by employing an acid-base two-step sol-gel method combined with atmospheric drying process. The effects of the molar ratio of TEOS to MTES (8∶2, 6∶4, 4∶6, 2∶8) on the chemical structure, microstructure, pore structure, hydrophobic performance, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and thermal conductivity of the aerogel were systematically investigated. The results showed that MTES was successfully grafted onto the aerogel skeleton in the form of Si—CH₃, achieving a transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. When n(TEOS)∶n(MTES)=4∶6, the SiO₂ aerogel composite material exhibited optimal comprehensive performance, with a contact angle of 141.8°, a specific surface area of 678 m²/g, a pore volume of 1.82 cm³/g, an average pore diameter of 10.7 nm, a compressive strength of 1.12 MPa, a maximum deformation of 16.5%, a density of 0.020 g/cm³, and a thermal conductivity as low as 0.15 W/(m·K), which was 50% lower than that of the unmodified sample. Additionally, its 5% and 10% thermal weight loss temperatures increased to 246 and 338 ℃, respectively, and the carbon residue rate at 800 ℃ reached 86.2%. Appropriate modification with MTES could effectively inhibit shrinkage and cracking during atmospheric drying, construct a uniform and complete three-dimensional mesoporous network, and significantly enhance the structural stability, mechanical properties, and thermal insulation performance of the aerogel. The prepared SiO₂ aerogel composite material exhibits promising application prospects in the field of ultra-low energy consumption building insulation.
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  Experimental study on frost resistance of modified coal gangue concrete based on Wiener degradation process

  ZHANG Yang, TANG Xianjie, SHAO Ke, LIU Haozhe

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 179-188. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.021

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  To promote the resource utilization of coal gangue and improve the service durability of coal gangue concrete in cold regions, indoor rapid freeze-thaw cycle tests were conducted on modified coal gangue concrete mixed with nano-SiO₂ and basalt fiber. Taking the mass loss rate, relative dynamic elastic modulus and compressive strength as evaluation indexes, the deterioration law of modified coal gangue concrete under freeze-thaw cycles was systematically analyzed. Combined with macroscopic observation of surface damage morphology and SEM microscopic characterization, the synergistic modification mechanism of nano-SiO₂ and basalt fiber on coal gangue concrete was clarified. Taking the damage degree of relative dynamic elastic modulus as the degradation index, a service life prediction model for coal gangue concrete was established based on the Wiener degradation process. The results show that the composite incorporation of nano-SiO₂ and basalt fiber can significantly improve the frost resistance of coal gangue concrete, and effectively inhibit the surface mortar spalling and aggregate exposure caused by freeze-thaw cycles. The reliability evolution curves of all groups of specimens present typical three-stage nonlinear degradation characteristics with significant differences in degradation rates among stages. The optimal frost resistance is achieved when 1% (mass fraction) nano-SiO₂ and 0.1% (volume fraction) basalt fiber are added into coal gangue concrete, and its service life in Northwest China predicted by the Wiener degradation process is the longest.
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  Research on thedynamic mechanical properties and strength changes of rock-concrete composites under freeze-thaw conditions

  LI Gaoyang, WEI Feng

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 189-197. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.022

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  To investigate the influence of interface inclination angle on the mechanical properties and durability of rock-concrete composites under freeze-thaw conditions, five composite specimens with different interface inclination angles (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) were prepared in this paper. They were analyzed through uniaxial compression, Hopkinson bar (SHPB) impact, and freeze-thaw cycle tests. The results show that the interface inclination angle has a decisive influence on the failure mode, mechanical properties and frost resistance of the combined body by regulating the stress transmission path. Under static and dynamic loads, the strength, stiffness and peak strain of the combined body all show a "V" -shaped variation law of first decreasing and then increasing with the increase of the interface inclination angle. The specimens with a 45° inclination angle (BS-45) exhibit the most significant interface stress concentration effect, showing the worst mechanical properties and the most severe impact fracture degree. The static compressive strength of the 90° parallel interface configuration (BS-90) reaches 45.2 MPa, and the dynamic compressive strength is 57.9 MPa under a driving pressure of 0.4 MPa. After 100 freeze-thaw cycles, it can still maintain a relative dynamic elastic modulus of 60.8%, demonstrating the optimal mechanical properties and the highest strain rate sensitivity. This study systematically reveals the relationship between the interface inclination angle and the internal damage evolution process of the composite body, as well as the intrinsic mechanism of performance evolution under freeze-thaw conditions, providing an important theoretical basis and design criteria for the durability design and performance optimization of rock-concrete composite structures.
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  Study on the preparation and electromagnetic wave absorbing properties of Fe/Fe₃O₄/ZnFe₂O₄/C composite materials

  CAO Xuefang, GUO Weiting, WEN Xinshurou, CHEN Zeyuan, DENG Gaoxu

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 198-207. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.023

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  Carbon composite materials with different compositions/contents were prepared by calcination at different temperatures (550, 650, 750 ℃) using bimetallic organic frameworks (MOFs) as precursors, and their microwave absorption properties were studied. The electromagnetic parameters, components, morphology and other parameters of the samples were characterized using vector network analyzer, scanning electron microscope, and vibration magnetometer. Researches have shown that different calcination temperatures have a significant impact on the absorption properties of derivatives, with the best absorption performance observed at a calcination temperature of 650 ℃. When the frequency is 8.7 GHz and the thickness is 2.4 mm, the reflection loss of the derivative Fe/Fe₃O₄/ZnFe₂O₄/C is -37.9 dB, exhibiting excellent absorption performance, with a maximum effective absorption bandwidth of 5.5 GHz (1.4 mm). The research results not only enrich the structural regulation research of MOF derivatives, but also provide ideas for the study of carbon composite materials with excellent X-band absorption performance.
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  Structural evolution and capacitance enhancement of high-entropy oxides via controlled carbon thermal reduction

  GUO Xiaofeng, DAI Jingwei, ZHUO Yu, LIU Shiyu, LIU Yihao

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 208-211. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.024

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  High-entropy transition metal oxides composed of Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, and Mn were constructed, and the carbon thermal reduction reaction was controlled by calcining under a regulated atmosphere (400-600 ℃) to tune the material structure. The synergistic mechanism of the temperature gradient on the evolution of material morphology, phase composition, and electrochemical performance was systematically studied. The results show that heat treatment at 500 ℃ triggers deep reduction of the carbon component, forming a synergistic system of a three-dimensional graphitized conductive network and hierarchical porous structure and achieving a specific capacitance of 733 F/g (better than the 400 ℃/600 ℃ samples). The performance enhancement is attributed to the following three points: (1) gas release induced porosity from the carbon thermal reduction reaction, (2) accelerated charge transport via the graphitized carbon network, and (3) high-entropy lattice stability buffering cycling strain. This study reveals the relationship between the carbon thermal reduction temperature threshold and the structure-performance correlation of high-entropy oxide electrodes.
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  Study on the effects of Ge and non-metal co-doping on the electronic and optical properties of β-Ga₂O₃

  LIU Fei, LUAN Suzhen

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 212-224. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.025

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  This study employs first-principles methods to systematically investigate the effects of Ge-P, Ge-S, Ge-Cl and Ge-N co-doping on the structural stability, electronic properties, and optical performance of β-Ga₂O₃. The results indicate that Ge preferentially substitutes the Ga(1) site, while P, S, Cl and N tend to occupy the O(3) site. The Ge-N co-doped system exhibits the highest stability, whereas the Ge-P system is the least stable. Lattice distortions are anisotropic, with the b-axis changing by less than 0.5%, while the a and c axes are the primary directions of distortion. Co-doping allows directional tuning of β-Ga₂O₃’s conductivity type and bandgap. The Ge-P(E_g=0.0108 eV), Ge-S(fully metallic), and Ge-Cl(E_g=0.0920 eV) systems introduce donor levels that hybridize with the conduction band, resulting in n-type conduction, with the degree of metallization ranked as Ge-S>Ge-P>Ge-Cl. The Ge-N system (E_g=1.7330 eV) introduces acceptor levels and exhibits p-type characteristics. The static dielectric constant decreases with increasing electronegativity of the dopant atoms (Ge-P>Ge-S>Ge-Cl>Ge-N). Ge-P and Ge-S show the strongest absorption in the ultraviolet and infrared regions, respectively. The amplitude of oscillation of the reflection coefficient in the UV region decreases with increasing electronegativity. Ge-S has the lowest reflection coefficient in the visible range, and Ge-N maintains the most stable reflection coefficient across all wavelengths. In the energy loss function, the low-energy peak intensity follows Ge-P(0.43)>Ge-S>Ge-Cl≈Ge-N, while in the medium-to-high energy range, Ge-N exhibits the largest peak. This study provides theoretical support for doping designs of β-Ga₂O₃ for ultraviolet detectors and infrared devices.
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  Analysis of macroscopic and microscopic properties of NaOH-activated high-iron red mud/slag composite cementitious materials

  SU Zhuangfei, LU Xinxiang, CHENG Yao, WANG Tianyu, LIU Song, WANG Yuli, LUO Shuqiong, LYU Bo, SHI Changliang

  Journal of Functional Materials. 2026, 57(7): 225-236. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-9731.2026.07.026

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  The environmental problems associated with the storage of red mud, a bulk industrial solid waste, need to be addressed urgently. Accordingly, the preparation of cementitious materials through alkali activation is a promising direction for the large-scale utilization of red mud resources. In this study, aimed at addressing the issue of low activity of high-iron red mud, the overall performance of cementitious materials was enhanced by incorporating red mud into slag. The setting time, hydration heat, mechanical properties, and microstructure of composite cementitious materials with varying high-iron red mud/slag content were investigated under the condition of NaOH activator. It is found that the increase of slag content significantly improves the early reactivity and mechanical properties of the system, shortens the setting time, and dominates the formation of early C-(A)-S-H gel. The appropriate amount of slag (60%-80%) can significantly optimize the early performance of the material. Specifically, when the slag content is 80%, the hardened slurry is denser, and the 90 d compressive strength reaches 54.4 MPa, resulting in significantly improved material performance. Through microscopic analysis (XRD, MIP, nano indentation, etc.), this can be attributed to the high activity of slag promoted the formation of early gel products. High-iron red mud-slag produce a synergistic effect during the reaction process concurrently. Moreover, the low-activity SiO₂ component in high-iron red mud gradually dissolves and participates in the reaction process, which enhances the later performance of the composite cementitious material.