The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Gok Xie Yuen and Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen (corresponding author) from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering on their recent research article published in Journal of Membrane Science, an SCI Q1 journal with the latest impact factor of 8.4.

Gok Xie Yuen is a postgraduate student in Chemical Engineering programme who conducted his master’s research project under the supervision of Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen. It is an international collaborative research project led by Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen, in partnership with Prof. Sun Shi-Peng from Nanjing Tech University and Prof. Gao Jie from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo.

The research, titled “Synergistic potential of 0D/2D amine-functionalized carbon quantum dots/g-C3N4 composites in thin film nanocomposite membranes for nanofiltration”, focuses on the synthesis of sustainable thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes using greener monomers and raw materials.

Specifically, α-cyclodextrin, a starch-based monomer, is selected as a sustainable alternative to conventional piperazine. The synthesized CG-PCT membrane exhibited a 1.6-fold improvement in pure water permeability (PWP) compared to pristine PCT membranes, along with high rejection rates for Na₂SO₄, MgSO₄, and MgCl₂. This study demonstrates an eco-friendly approach to fabricating high-performance TFN membranes for water and wastewater treatment while minimizing environmental impact.

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number: 22108118), State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University (grant number: 2024X32), Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (grant number: XMUMRF/2024-C14/IENG/0073), 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.memsci.2025.123787. 

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Graphical Abstract

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Gok Xie Yuen: "I am honored to have contributed to this research paper published in the Journal of Membrane Science. This experience has deepened my passion for membrane technology, particularly in improving performance and sustainability. My sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen, for her invaluable guidance and support. I hope this work advances the field and inspires further innovations in high-performance, sustainable membrane applications."

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Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen is a Professor and Head of Programmes (Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering) at School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia. Her research on sustainable, green materials, and membrane separation and purification technologies has earned her numerous prestigious allocates, including recognition as one of the World’s Top 2% Scientists for 2023-2024 by Stanford University. She has also received 2024 ISPT Distinguished Women Scientist Award, 2024 IChemE & CCST Young Investigator Award, 2024 RINENG Young Investigator Award, 2016 Green Talents award and being named among the Top 50 Outstanding Green Talents alumni by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).