• CC electrodes induced pH shifts, enhancing carbon capture and mineralization. • Hydrogen production efficiency matched conventional methods. • Environmental impacts like global warming and toxicity were reduced. • CC electrodes provide a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for carbon capture. Mineral carbonation for CO 2 capture and utilization often requires high temperatures and pressures, necessitating alternative approaches. Electrochemical carbon capture has emerged as a promising technology due to its high efficiency and selectivity. However, its high capital expenditure (CAPEX) remains a challenge. In this study, carbon cloth (CC) electrodes were evaluated for their potential to enhance carbon capture, mineralization, and hydrogen production. The stability of conductive CC was confirmed as a substitute electrode under strong acidic and basic conditions, maintaining consistent contact angle and surface resistance. CC-based electrodes facilitated carbonate formation by inducing pH shifts through applied currents, achieving mineralization and hydrogen production efficiencies comparable to conventional methods. Furthermore, CC-based electrochemical systems demonstrated reduced environmental impacts, including lower global warming potential, toxicity, and eutrophication. These finding highlight the potential of CC-based electrodes as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for electrochemical carbon capture, contributing to climate change mitigation and sustainable development.

. The interfacial electrochemical reactions enable the extraction of VFAs without the need for bulk temperature and pH modification.

• CC electrodes induced pH shifts, enhancing carbon capture and mineralization. • Hydrogen production efficiency matched conventional methods. • Environmental impacts like global warming and toxicity were reduced. • CC electrodes provide a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for carbon capture. Mineral carbonation for CO 2 capture and utilization often requires high temperatures and pressures, necessitating alternative approaches. Electrochemical carbon capture has emerged as a promising technology due to its high efficiency and selectivity. However, its high capital expenditure (CAPEX) remains a challenge. In this study, carbon cloth (CC) electrodes were evaluated for their potential to enhance carbon capture, mineralization, and hydrogen production. The stability of conductive CC was confirmed as a substitute electrode under strong acidic and basic conditions, maintaining consistent contact angle and surface resistance. CC-based electrodes facilitated carbonate formation by inducing pH shifts through applied currents, achieving mineralization and hydrogen production efficiencies comparable to conventional methods. Furthermore, CC-based electrochemical systems demonstrated reduced environmental impacts, including lower global warming potential, toxicity, and eutrophication. These finding highlight the potential of CC-based electrodes as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for electrochemical carbon capture, contributing to climate change mitigation and sustainable development.

. The interfacial electrochemical reactions enable the extraction of VFAs without the need for bulk temperature and pH modification.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) adversely affect the environment in very small amounts and are extremely stable substances. This study investigated the transport phenomenon of PFCs in terms of functional groups and membrane fouling types using 10 types of PFCs and evaluated the performance of osmotically driven membranes. The experimental results confirmed that the reverse salt flux (RSF) of organic fouled membranes significantly decreased (16.2 % and 22.3 %, respectively) and the relatively loosely deposited MP fouled membranes with many empty spaces in the fouling layers maintained RSF values similar to those of virgin membranes (2 % decreased). The rejection rates of the PFCs with SO3H functional groups increased (virgin: 96.8 %; fouled: 98.6 %), whereas PFCs with COOH functional groups decreased after organic matter fouling (virgin: 99.5 %; fouled 97.6 %). The micelles formation by PFCs with SO3H group was easily blocking fouling layers and intra-particle diffusion of other PFCs with SO3H molecules interrupt. PFCs having high Kow values tends to have increased removal efficiency after the formation of MP fouling layer. These results demonstrated that the membrane fouling layers play positive roles in the RSF and PFCs removal efficiencies in osmotically driven membrane processes, which will enable the securing of safe water resources.

The increasing prevalence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in aquatic environments poses a significant threat to water quality. This study evaluates an innovative, sustainable algae-blocking technology employing a fibrous ciliary composite mat for effective algae control in reservoirs. The system is designed for passive operation, utilizing the natural suction force of water intake to capture and remove algae without chemical treatments. Odor-causing compounds, such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), are produced by algae and anaerobic microorganisms and can affect the taste and odor of tap water even at trace levels (ng/L), making them key monitoring targets. These two compounds were selected as representative odor-causing compounds and their removal efficiency was analyzed. This technology targets the pretreatment of raw water entering a water treatment plant. This technology removes algae before they reach the water treatment plant, minimizing the release of taste and odor-causing compounds due to algal bursts and reducing the load on subsequent water treatment processes. Field demonstrations conducted in 2017 and 2024 evaluated the efficacy of this technology in reducing algal biomass and off-flavor compounds. The results demonstrated chlorophyll a removal efficiencies of 37.6 ± 6.0% in 2017 and 52.7 ± 10.9% in 2024, while geosmin removal efficiencies of 38.5 ± 0.2% in 2017 and 42.5 ± 11.3% in 2024, demonstrating long-term operational efficiency. These results demonstrate the potential of this low-energy, cost-effective technology as a durable and effective solution for mitigating the impacts of HABs. • Field demonstrations from 2017 to 2024 confirmed that the technology maintained or improved its performance after seven years of operation. • Chlorophyll a removal efficiency was measured at 37.6 ± 6.0% and 52.7 ± 10.9% in 2024, and geosmin removal efficiency was measured at 38.5 ± 0.2% and 42.5 ± 11.3% in 2017 and 2024, respectively. • The higher the algae concentration, the higher the removal efficiency tended to be. • This technology provides a non-powered and cost-effective algal bloom mitigation solution, laying the foundation for future development of sustainable algal bloom control methods.