The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Desmond Goh Wai Hang, Lau Hui Shen, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yong Wai Fen from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering for the recent article published in Science of The Total Environment, an SCI Q1 journal with the latest impact factor of 10.754.

Lau Hui Shen is a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University Malaysia, while Desmond Goh Wai Hang is a graduate of the class of 2022 who conducted his final year project under the supervision of Dr. Yong Wai Fen. 

Entitled “An integrated life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis: Evaluation on the production of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) and UiO-66-NH2 as membrane materials”, this study aimed to appraise the greenest synthesis route based on both environmental and economic perspectives for the production of the main components in mixed matrix membranes - polymer and fillers. This assessment systematically evaluates five production routes of PIM-1 and UiO-66-NH2, and the route with the least environmental burden and cost was proposed. Alleviation of environmental burdens was found through utilizing solvent-free synthesis routes or adoption of novel monomers during synthesis, or by recovering solvents or substituting with a greener alternative (e.g., water). Moreover, the solvent reduction was found to have an apparent effect on cost-saving, whereby the production cost declined 13 % with a 30 % solvent reduction. Collectively, the fundamentals gained on the environmental impacts and economic feasibility of PIM-1 and UiO-66-NH2 production from this life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis study may provide a preliminary evaluation for the development of green and sustainable materials.
This research is funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number: 22108118), Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (grant number: XMUMRF/2021-C8/IENG/0042), and Hengyuan International Sdn. Bhd. (grant number: EENG/0003).

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The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164582. 

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An integrated life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis were performed to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of the PIM-1 and UiO-66-NH2 production via a total of ten synthesis routes.

Image	Desmond Goh Wai Hang: “It is my utmost honor to publish in Science of The Total Environment. The publishing of this paper is truly a rewarding experience, which has enriched my perspective on green membrane materials. Herein, I would like to extend my gratitude to my mentors and peers, who have always inspired and supported me throughout the research. I hope this research paper could contribute to the development of green and sustainable membrane fabrication.”
Image	Lau Hui Shen: “This is indeed an intense and rewarding experience. I am grateful to be a part of this research work which has honed my knowledge towards the development of environmentally and economically feasible membrane materials. I hope the research output could serve as a viable solution to fuel the sustainable production of green mixed matrix membrane.”
Image	Dr. Yong Wai Fen is an Associate Professor and Head of Programme (Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering) at the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia. With a PhD degree from the National University of Singapore, her research interests include sustainable materials and membrane technologies for CO2 capture, biogas separation, industrial air purification, and water purification. She is also a Chartered Engineer under the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), UK. She has won several prestigious awards including the Green Talents Award in 2016, Top 50 outstanding Green Talents alumni from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the Finalist of the Energy and Sustainability Awards from the IChemE Singapore.