Professor Wenjihao Hu is a distinguished scholar and Subdean at the School of Resource Processing and Biological Engineering, Central South University, China. As a doctoral supervisor and key member of national and provincial research centers, he has led several major national and international projects focusing on mineral processing, smart mining, and environmental remediation. With over 40 SCI-indexed publications and 10 patents, his innovations in nanoconfined adsorption materials have significantly advanced heavy metal removal techniques. Actively collaborating with top global institutions, Prof. Hu plays a vital role in academic leadership, research innovation, and the cultivation of future scientific talents.

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Professor Wenjihao Hu’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in resource processing and biological engineering. His passion for materials science and environmental sustainability shaped his pursuit of higher education in mineral engineering and nanotechnology. This early dedication led him to academic excellence and specialization in interface chemistry and advanced mineral materials. His academic training prepared him for a multidisciplinary approach, combining colloidal science, surface interactions, and engineering applications. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for a prolific academic and research career centered on solving critical environmental and mineral resource challenges.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as a Professor and Subdean at the School of Resource Processing and Biological Engineering, Central South University, Prof. Hu holds several key leadership roles. He is a distinguished professor at the National Engineering Research Center for Individualized Diagnosis and Treatment Technology, a doctoral supervisor, and Deputy Department Director of the Department of Inorganics. His affiliations also include being a core member of Hunan Province’s key laboratories focusing on strategic calcium mineral resources and mineral materials applications, and a vital contributor to the National Engineering Technology Research Center for Heavy Metal Pollution Prevention.

Prof. Hu has hosted and contributed to numerous national and international research initiatives. These include one National Key R&D Program, two National Natural Science Foundation projects, and international collaborations with institutions such as the University of Alberta, McGill University, Columbia University, University of Queensland, Imperial College London, and many more.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus: Advanced Materials 

Prof. Hu’s research spans across mineral energy, smart mining, mineral environment, mineral medicine, and applied colloid and interface science. His investigations into nano-confinement mechanisms, surface modification, and intermolecular forces are reshaping the field of mineral processing.

A key contribution includes his study on the nanoconfined adsorption structure ZrP@HNTs. By confining zirconium phosphate within halloysite nanotubes, his team achieved an extraordinary threefold increase in lead ion (Pb²⁺) adsorption capacity, enhancing both performance and stability. This innovation demonstrates how nanoconfinement can enrich ion concentration and facilitate superior surface interaction—a finding confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and finite element simulations. Such research is instrumental in advancing sustainable and high-efficiency heavy metal remediation technologies.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Prof. Hu is widely recognized for his leadership and scientific contributions. He holds prestigious editorial positions including:

• Editorial Board Member of Chinese and English Journal of Nonferrous Metals

• Youth Editorial Committee Member of the Journal of Engineering Science

• Academic Editor of Minerals

• Member of editorial teams for Comprehensive Utilization of Mineral Resources and Nonferrous Metal Science and Engineering

His professional memberships reflect his leadership in the field, including:

• Deputy Secretary General, Mining Process Interface Chemistry Committee

• Vice Chairman, China International Mineral Processing Young Scholars Forum

• Executive Director, Chinese Ceramics Society

He has published over 40 SCI-indexed journal articles, registered 10 patents, and actively contributes to cutting-edge national research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation Youth Project and postgraduate innovation projects at Central South University.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Prof. Hu’s multidisciplinary research and leadership have had a transformative impact on both academic and industrial domains. His collaborations with global institutions have fostered academic exchange, capacity building, and technology transfer across continents. He plays a crucial role in mentoring young researchers and postgraduate students, equipping the next generation with practical skills and theoretical insights in nanomaterials, surface chemistry, and sustainable engineering.

Furthermore, his innovative approaches to mineral interface chemistry and clean resource utilization address real-world environmental challenges, particularly in heavy metal pollution—a concern of growing international significance.

🧭 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Wenjihao Hu continues to push boundaries in smart and sustainable mining, advanced material design, and nano-interface interactions. His ongoing projects aim to deepen our understanding of ion selectivity, gas enrichment of materials, and scale-up of nano-composite membranes.

As a core backbone of national and provincial key laboratories, his legacy lies not only in his scientific achievements but also in his commitment to education, collaboration, and public service. With an ever-growing network of international partnerships and a vision for environmental sustainability, Prof. Hu is poised to make even greater contributions in the decades to come.

✍️ Publication Top Notes

📘 Deposition and adhesion of polydopamine on the surfaces of varying wettability