Euntae Yang

Physical aging in high-free-volume glassy polymers progressively reduces gas permeability, limiting the long-term performance of gas separation membranes.

Electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofiber filters are attractive for particulate air filtration because they combine high filtration efficiency with low airflow resistance. Here, three inorganic additives, namely aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), potassium nitrate (KNO₃), and silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), were investigated using formulation-specific electrospinning conditions selected to achieve stable fiber formation. Although all filters exhibited high initial filtration efficiencies above 96%, clear differences were observed in fiber morphology, pressure drop, electrostatic potential decay, and long-term filtration stability. Among the tested samples, the Si₃N₄-containing filter showed the best long-term performance, retaining approximately 94% filtration efficiency after 30 days, whereas neat PVDF decreased to about 85%. These results suggest that differences in long-term filtration stability are closely associated with charge-retention behavior, and that the incorporation of inorganic additives can influence the durability of PVDF-based electrospun nanofiber air filters.

The development of sustainable carbon capture technologies requires integrating advanced materials and conducting system‐level evaluation. Here, we present a data‐driven framework for designing mixed‐matrix membranes incorporating Nickel Hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF), a Prussian blue analogue, for CO ₂ separation. A CO ₂ ‐responsive solution‐acidification screening method was developed to rapidly assess the CO2 interaction behavior of NiHCF particles synthesized under different conditions. Machine learning was then used to identify key synthesis parameters and guide material optimization. The optimized NiHCF exhibited enhanced CO ₂ interaction, leading to improved membrane performance. Notably, a strong correlation between the screening response and CO ₂ /N ₂ selectivity was observed (R ² = 0.95), indicating that the proposed screening strategy can serve as a predictive indicator of membrane performance before fabrication. Molecular dynamics simulations further revealed that NiHCF incorporation enhances CO ₂ capture behavior by improving thermodynamic stability, CO ₂ diffusion, intermolecular equilibration, and adsorption interactions. Life‐cycle assessment showed that the optimized membrane system can reduce the operational carbon footprint compared with the pristine membrane, despite a higher footprint during fabrication. Finally, process simulation was conducted to evaluate practical separation performance and CO ₂ capture feasibility under defined assumptions. This study links data‐driven material design with molecular insight, environmental sustainability assessment, and process‐level evaluation.

Shipyards are significant industrial sources of environmental pollution, releasing substantial amounts of heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and organic solvents into soil and groundwater during shipbuilding and maintenance operations. Such contamination not only affects the shipyard premises but also poses serious environmental threats to nearby communities, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the shipbuilding industry. Given the increasing global emphasis on sustainable industrial practices, addressing shipyard-related pollution has become a critical environmental challenge. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pollution issues associated with shipyards and explore effective remediation strategies. It focuses on contamination in both soil and groundwater, and covers pollution generated throughout the shipbuilding and maintenance lifecycle. First, it examines previous studies to identify the major contaminants and pollution sources typically found at shipyard sites. Next, the paper reviews recent advances in soil and groundwater remediation technologies, including physical, chemical, and biological methods tailored to the unique challenges of shipyard environments. Finally, the review discusses current limitations in remediation practices and outlines potential directions for future research and technological development.