Environmental technology solutions for sustainable development
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue is the author and co-author of 150 scientific works published in prestigious domestic and international journals. She has presided over more than 15 scientific research topics at all levels and is the main author of 2 exclusive utility solution patents. In addition to research, she also participates in writing books and is the editor-in-chief of 4 books for teaching postgraduate programs, and is the editor-in-chief and member of 2 monographs.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue
Journey of pursuing passion
As a student at University of Hanoi, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue showed her passion for scientific research early on. Here, she was trained in meticulousness, perseverance and had the opportunity to explore and learn deeply about experimental science. She recalls: Her thesis advisor was the one who wholeheartedly guided and instructed her from how to write a thesis, read scientific articles to inspiring her to do research. These lessons developed her thinking and motivated her to pursue her passion and achieve later successes.
After graduating from university, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue continued her studies and completed her PhD thesis in 1996. In the following years, she participated in post-doctoral training and internship programs at prestigious international educational institutions: University of Paris 7 (France), Nagoya National Industrial Research Institute and Nagoya University of Technology (Japan) as well as in several other countries. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue confided that: The time studying in Japan left the deepest impression. Here, when she first approached advanced environmental treatment technology, especially water treatment and air treatment technology using TiO₂ nanomaterials, it attracted her attention. The in-depth research experiences helped her absorb and transfer advanced knowledge to Vietnam, while improving it to suit practical conditions in the country.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue and colleagues at the International Training Center, Kobe City, Japan
Experimental system for treating NO, CO, and aldehyde gas pollution using TiO2 photocatalytic material
Starting her career at the Institute of Chemistry in 1989, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue soon demonstrated her talent and passion for scientific research. In 2002, she transferred to the Institute of Environmental Technology and took on the position of Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Quality Analysis. Over the years working at the unit in different positions and roles, she and her colleagues have created many new technologies, effectively applied in solving water and air pollution problems, one of the major challenges facing Vietnam today. Recalling the difficulties at the beginning of her research career, she confided: Research conditions in Vietnam in the past faced many challenges, especially with projects requiring high technology, due to limitations in equipment. Work that took only a few months abroad could take years in Vietnam. However, with the attention and support from leaders at all levels and the increasingly expanding opportunities for international cooperation, she and her colleagues were able to shorten the research time and achieve many remarkable results.
Her first impressive result in her career was leading a national-level project on research and development of air pollution treatment materials (code: KC.08.26/09-10). When this field was still little noticed, she and her colleagues proposed breakthrough solutions, laying the foundation for developing a new research direction. Her research team successfully manufactured a device to filter toxic gases such as NO, CO, VOCs in the air with high efficiency. The main materials include organic titanium dioxide (TiO₂) solution, quartz cotton, aluminum oxide fibers and ceramics to create a filter membrane. The device has a simple structure with 2 filter layers: The first layer is a rough filter to completely remove large-sized impurities and the second layer uses ultraviolet-activated titanium dioxide, which helps remove toxic substances, returning clean and safe air. The team also tested apatite/TiO₂ suspension solution (paint form) to kill bacteria, fungi and toxic chemicals. In 2016, this solution was successfully transferred to Nhat Hai New Technology Joint Stock Company, under the witness of Ministry of Science and Technology.
External and internal view of air purifier
Air purifier of research team
Sharing about her motivation for research, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue said: When starting with state-level topics, everything was just a rudimentary idea, but realizing that the treatment material was effective not only in water but also in air, she developed this new research direction. The process of learning international experience helped her overcome difficulties and achieve positive results in developing practical application products. This was also the inspiration for her to continue pursuing her research direction. For her, her love for the profession and belief in scientific value are the driving force and guideline to develop creative ideas, bringing high practical value.
Continuing the success of previous studies, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue and her colleagues have developed a HA/N-TiO2 nano solution with many outstanding advantages, especially in the Project "Development of a surface coating solution for nano hydroxyl apatite (HA) - TiO2 nitrogen-doped composite (HA/N-TiO2) to kill bacteria, fungi and remove toxic chemicals" (2022 - 2024). This is a project under the commercial product development program of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, with the goal of creating advanced nano solutions to meet the needs of sterilization, deodorization and treatment of toxic substances in the environment.
From this research, the team has completed the registration process for protection and has been granted exclusive utility solution patent No. 2319 by the Department of Intellectual Property. The new technology allows for improved processes for wider and larger scale application. The researched product has outstanding ability in sterilization, deodorization, anti-fouling, especially suitable for environments requiring high hygiene and safety such as offices, post-operative rooms and hospitals.
According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue: The product has high adhesion on many surfaces such as ceramic tiles, glass, metal, plastic, fabric and paper, without affecting the aesthetics of the surface after coating. In particular, this solution has the ability to effectively decompose persistent toxic substances such as pesticides, benzene, toluene and xylene, while ensuring absolute safety and causing no harm to users.
The collaboration with Bamboo House Joint Stock Company has promoted the process of applying research into practice, connecting science with life. The product has been widely deployed at units such as Monhiro Design Vietnam Company and received high appreciation from Kanagawa Industrial Research Institute, Japan. Test results show that the HA/N-TiO2 solution is superior to similar products from Lucien Coat (Japan), affirming the quality and application potential of the research.
Product of the project "Development of nano hydroxyl apatite (HA)-nitrogen-doped TiO2 (HA/N-TiO2) surface coating solution to kill bacteria, fungi and remove toxic chemicals"
Utility solution patent 2319 issued on May 7, 2020
Another notable topic that Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue and her colleagues are working on is: "Research on the fabrication of multifunctional photocatalytic materials on vermiculite mineral base, effective application in treating antibiotics in surface water environment". The research has brought important results in the development of TiO2 photocatalytic materials doped with Fe, Co metals on modified vermiculite base to effectively treat antibiotics of Quinolone, Macrolid and Tetracycline groups. The new material on vermiculite mineral base is capable of treating antibiotics in surface water environment, a problem that is becoming increasingly serious, threatening water quality and public health. She emphasized that: Vermiculite is a natural mineral with a smooth surface, coating TiO2 on it is not without difficulties. Therefore, optimizing the conditions for TiO2 to adhere tightly to the vermiculite surface is very necessary. Furthermore, simultaneous doping of Fe and Co into TiO2 material helps to enhance the photocatalytic properties of the material in the visible light region and reduce the cost when put into the pilot system.
Currently, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue is presiding over a number of urgent research projects, contributing to sustainable solutions for the environment. One of the notable projects is “Research and assessment of microplastic pollution in sediments in the Northern region of Vietnam” (2024 - 2027), under the key research program of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The project aims to assess the level of microplastic pollution in the aquatic environment, an increasingly serious problem globally. Understanding the distribution and impact of microplastics on ecosystems and human health will help shape strategies to manage and reduce microplastic pollution, a major challenge for the environment today.
In the field of environmental pollution treatment technology, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue and her colleagues have made their mark through two exclusive patents for outstanding useful solutions with high applicability. The first is the invention of "Process of producing surface-modified pyrolusite materials to simultaneously adsorb arsenic, fluoride and phosphate ions in wastewater". The work focuses on developing advanced adsorbent materials from pyrolusite (MnO₂), with a modified surface to enhance the ability to simultaneously treat three types of dangerous pollutants, including arsenic, fluoride and phosphate. These are substances that often appear in industrial and domestic wastewater, seriously affecting water quality and public health.
Next, the second invention on “Process of manufacturing nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide nanomaterials coated with hydroxyl apatite” has contributed to bringing the application of nanotechnology to a new level. The material is developed from titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a strong photocatalyst, doped with nitrogen and coated with hydroxyl apatite. Thanks to this improvement, the material is able to operate effectively in the visible light region, helping to decompose toxic organic compounds such as formaldehyde, VOCs, bacteria, and viruses in the air environment. Not only applied in air treatment, the new material can also be integrated into coating products, creating a self-cleaning and deodorizing paint layer, contributing to improving indoor air quality and living environment.
Experiments on HA (hydroxyl apatite) flocculation (left), HA solution (middle) and HA powder (right)
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| Sample left outdoors for 6 months, the white part is the brick impregnated with HA/N-TiO2 solution | Samples soaked in alkaline solution, samples without blistering are samples coated with HA/N-TiO2 | HA/N-TiO2 solution coated material (left) and comparison with Japanese sample (right) |
From scientific achievements to human resource training
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue's contributions to scientific research have been recognized by prestigious awards and certificates of merit. In 2017, she was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology for her outstanding contributions to scientific research and development. Then, in 2018, she received a Certificate of Merit from the President of Hanoi National University of Education for her achievements in guiding students to win the Third Prize at the Ministry level in scientific research. 2021 was an important milestone when she was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Minister of Science and Technology for her outstanding applied research results in a national key program. In 2024, she continued to make her mark when her work Natural and synthetic Apatite applied in environmental treatment won the National Book Award (Encouragement Prize).
Regarding training, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue has made many important contributions to teaching and developing quality training programs at undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. She has successfully guided more than 10 PhD students and nearly 40 master's students in the fields of Environmental Technology, Environmental Chemistry and Waste Treatment Technology. At the same time, she also participated in developing and implementing master's and doctoral training programs in Environmental Engineering, including the Doctoral Training Project in Water and Wastewater Technology (now Environmental Engineering). The project has made an important contribution to developing high-quality human resources for the industry.
In addition, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue also participated in drafting the curriculum framework and compiling textbooks for many specialized courses, including Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Chemistry, Gas Treatment Engineering and Modern Analytical Methods. These documents have been widely applied in training at many educational institutions nationwide. As Co-Head of the Department of Water - Environment - Oceanography at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), she has led and trained many generations of young researchers in the environmental field. Not only is she highly appreciated by her colleagues for her scientific qualities and professionalism, she is also a dedicated teacher, always supporting and inspiring students to do research. Her spirit of cooperation and experience sharing has contributed to creating an effective and cohesive working environment.
Currently, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue is focusing on urgent environmental issues, such as microplastic pollution, antibiotic residue treatment and sustainable material development. According to her, the air environment in Vietnam, especially in large cities like Hanoi, is facing serious pollution by bacteria, fungi and chemicals. Scientific solutions, when deployed on a large scale, will not only improve air quality but also significantly reduce health risks in hospitals, offices and households.
The outstanding contributions and achievements of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue are clear evidence of the role of women in scientific research. She believes that women can create important innovations not only with knowledge and skills but also with a multi-dimensional approach, sensitive to social and environmental issues. With perseverance, flexibility and creativity, women can affirm their position in the scientific community, to create sustainable values for the future.
Translated by Quoc Khanh
Link to Vietnamese version
