Faculty profile

Hongbo Zeng

ResearcherChemical and Materials EngineeringUniversity of Alberta

This profile is built from public research funding records (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) and PubMed. We have not imported them from a University of Alberta directory, so their courses may be missing. Find their university profile.

Hongbo Zeng

Researcher

Chemical and Materials Engineering

Engineering

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Supervision signals

Has led research grants, which requires an independent research appointment. Ask their department whether they supervise graduate students.
132 publications in the last five years, latest in 2026.
Senior (last) author on 79 recent papers, a sign of leading a research group.
Principal investigator on 31 research grants (31 NSERC), most recently in 2025.

These signals come from public records, including CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions. Ask the professor or the graduate program whether they are taking new students.

Academic metrics

280

Publications

Collaborators

Grants

Publications by year

Counts cover the publications linked to this profile. Citations and the h-index appear when the source records them.

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Signals and details

Research

chemical engineering Oil sands engineering bitumen extraction bitumen heavy oil petroleum engineering interfacial science oil sands

Latest papers

Counterion effect on boundary lubrication of cationic surfactant at mica-water interface.
Journal of colloid and interface science · 2026 · senior author
Tailoring nanomaterials for the mitigation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC): From interfacial mechanisms to functional coatings.
Advances in colloid and interface science · 2026 · senior author
Mechanically Robust and Underwater-Stable Hydrogels via Synergistic Molecular Locking and Topological Entanglement.
Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) · 2026 · senior author

All 280 publications

Latest funding

Water-Assisted Approach for Efficient Removal of Residual Water from Diluted Bitumen in Naphthenic Froth Treatment
NSERC · 2025 · Principal investigator
$1,000,000
NanoSynergy: Pioneering In-Situ SEM Nanomechanical Testing for Breakthroughs in Energy, Electronics, and Health
NSERC · 2025 · Co-investigator
$150,000
Advancing Chemical Methods for Enhanced Emulsion and Produced Water Treatment in Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Processes
NSERC · 2024 · Principal investigator
$1,380,000

All 43 grants and awards

From the 150 most recent of 280 publications.

Counterion effect on boundary lubrication of cationic surfactant at mica-water interface.

Liu C, Qiao C, Ma H, Hörmann JL, Huang P, Zhou Q, Meng Y, Tian Y, Zeng H

Journal of colloid and interface science2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2026.141072 PMID: 42413126

Tailoring nanomaterials for the mitigation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC): From interfacial mechanisms to functional coatings.

Pu Y, Chen S, Zeng H

Advances in colloid and interface science2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2026.103956 PMID: 42251805

Mechanically Robust and Underwater-Stable Hydrogels via Synergistic Molecular Locking and Topological Entanglement.

Wei L, Huang J, Xu S, Yang Y, Peng H, Zhang X, Li S, Qiu X, Zeng H

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/smll.75812 PMID: 42752960

Anion-π Interaction-Regulated Ion Generation and High Piezoionic Response in Ultrasoft Low-Salinity Hydrogels.

Jiang J, Zhang J, Zhou B, Wang X, Ding L, Pan M, Wang F, Liu Z, Peng Q, Qiao C, Xiang L, Zeng H

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/anie.5890029 PMID: 42711677

Cavity-Enhanced Eye-Readable Detection of 0.1% H2 via Active Modulation of Charge-Transfer Plasmons.

Zhang X, Ye S, Cai L, Li C, Cai Z, Zhang J, Liu F, Wang T, Wei B, Zeng H

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/advs.77338 PMID: 42658606

Water-Induced Ion-Responsive Phase Separation Enables Energy-Dissipative Ionogels for Robust Underwater Adhesion.

Zhang H, Huang P, Zhou Q, Wang Y, Zhang H, Sun Y, Liu Y, Hu Y, Zeng H

ACS nano2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6c10134 PMID: 42674458

Impact of oxidative aging on asphaltene interfacial behavior and emulsion stability: Implications for water remediation.

Zhou Q, Sun Y, Yang S, Song X, Xiong X, Zeng H

Water research2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2026.126054 PMID: 42102443

Multiscale modeling unveils molecular mechanisms of deep eutectic solvent-anticancer drug interactions for rational formulation design.

Zhou S, Li T, Tong X, Chen J, Zhou Y, Yi G, Wen X, Zeng H, Yang B, Liu J

International journal of pharmaceutics2026

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2026.127108 PMID: 42309199

Interfacial interactions between oil and porous calcium carbonate in brine: Insights for enhanced oil recovery and spill remediation.

Chai R, Yang D, Liu Y, Li J, Huang P, Sun Y, He Y, Zhang H, Zeng H

Journal of colloid and interface science2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2026.140174 PMID: 41785697

Sticky Yet Slippery: Molecular Ordering Reconciles Bubble-Surface Affinity With Ultralow Friction at the Nanoscale.

Zhang S, Li J, Tian H, Wang Z, Qiao C, Wang J, Xie L, Zeng H

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/advs.75495 PMID: 42095420

Water-Assisted Approach for Efficient Removal of Residual Water from Diluted Bitumen in Naphthenic Froth Treatment

Principal investigatorNSERC2025Advantage

Principal investigators: Zeng, Hongbo

Keywords: Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use); Oil, gas and coal

$1,000,000

NanoSynergy: Pioneering In-Situ SEM Nanomechanical Testing for Breakthroughs in Energy, Electronics, and Health

Co-investigatorNSERC2025Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Hamidinejad, Mahdi

Keywords: nanomechanics; nanomaterials; nanostructures; in situ microscopy; nanomechanical testing

$150,000

Advancing Chemical Methods for Enhanced Emulsion and Produced Water Treatment in Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Processes

Principal investigatorNSERC2024Advantage

Principal investigators: Zeng, Hongbo

Keywords: Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use); Oil, gas and coal

$1,380,000

Probing Interfacial Science and Molecular/Surface Interaction Mechanisms in Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Operations

Principal investigatorNSERC2024Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Zeng, Hongbo H

Keywords: bitumen extraction; chemical engineering; colloid and interface science; molecular and surface interations; natural resources; oil production; oil sands; oil/water separation

$240,000

A Comprehensive Study to Strengthen Strathcona Mill's Technical, Environmental and Operational Performance

Co-investigatorNSERC2023Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Liu, Qi Q

Keywords: base metal sulfide; chalcopyrite; decomposition; electrochemistry; flotation depressants; froth flotation; microwave metal detectors; millerite; tramp metals; xanthate

$251,100

Fouling and Underlying Interfacial Mechanisms in Produced Water Coolers for Steam-assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Operations: Developing Antifouling Solutions

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Zeng, Hongbo H

Keywords: bitumen; chemical engineering; colloid and interface science; fouling; heavy oil; oil production; oil sands engineering; petroleum engineering; produced water treatment

$95,000

Characterization of emulsions and development of chemical solutions for emulsion treatment in SAGD operation

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Zeng, Hongbo H

Keywords: bitumen; chemical engineering; colloid and interface science; emulsion; heavy oil; natural resources; oil production; oil sands engineering; petroleum engineering; surface interaction

$100,000

Intermolecular Forces and Interfacial Science

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Canada Research Chairs

Principal investigators: Zeng, Hongbo

Keywords: intermolecular interactions; chemical engineering; interfacial process; colloids; interfacial science; polymers; chemical process; intermolecular forces

$200,000

Recovery and Utilization of REE, Ti and Zr Minerals from Alberta Oil Sands Froth Treatment Tailings

Co-investigatorNSERC2023Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Liu, Qi Q

Keywords: Froth flotation; Magnetic separation; Monazite; Oil sands froth treatment tailings; Pelletization; Purification; Rare earth elements; Titanium; Upgrading; Zirconium

$467,000

Developing effective chemical solutions for treating emulsions and fouling issues in oil sands production and the associated interfacial interaction mechanisms

Principal investigatorNSERC2022Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Zeng, Hongbo H

Keywords: bitumen; bitumen extraction; chemical engineering; colloids and interface science; heavy oil; materials engineering; mineral engineering; oilfield chemical; oil sands engineering; petroleum engineering

$150,000

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

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Hongbo Zeng

Research

Latest papers

Latest funding

Counterion effect on boundary lubrication of cationic surfactant at mica-water interface.

Tailoring nanomaterials for the mitigation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC): From interfacial mechanisms to functional coatings.

Mechanically Robust and Underwater-Stable Hydrogels via Synergistic Molecular Locking and Topological Entanglement.

Anion-&#x3c0; Interaction-Regulated Ion Generation and High Piezoionic Response in Ultrasoft Low-Salinity Hydrogels.

Cavity-Enhanced Eye-Readable Detection of 0.1% H2 via Active Modulation of Charge-Transfer Plasmons.

Water-Induced Ion-Responsive Phase Separation Enables Energy-Dissipative Ionogels for Robust Underwater Adhesion.

Impact of oxidative aging on asphaltene interfacial behavior and emulsion stability: Implications for water remediation.

Multiscale modeling unveils molecular mechanisms of deep eutectic solvent-anticancer drug interactions for rational formulation design.

Interfacial interactions between oil and porous calcium carbonate in brine: Insights for enhanced oil recovery and spill remediation.

Sticky Yet Slippery: Molecular Ordering Reconciles Bubble-Surface Affinity With Ultralow Friction at the Nanoscale.

Water-Assisted Approach for Efficient Removal of Residual Water from Diluted Bitumen in Naphthenic Froth Treatment

NanoSynergy: Pioneering In-Situ SEM Nanomechanical Testing for Breakthroughs in Energy, Electronics, and Health

Advancing Chemical Methods for Enhanced Emulsion and Produced Water Treatment in Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Processes

Probing Interfacial Science and Molecular/Surface Interaction Mechanisms in Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Operations

A Comprehensive Study to Strengthen Strathcona Mill's Technical, Environmental and Operational Performance

Fouling and Underlying Interfacial Mechanisms in Produced Water Coolers for Steam-assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Operations: Developing Antifouling Solutions

Characterization of emulsions and development of chemical solutions for emulsion treatment in SAGD operation

Intermolecular Forces and Interfacial Science

Recovery and Utilization of REE, Ti and Zr Minerals from Alberta Oil Sands Froth Treatment Tailings

Developing effective chemical solutions for treating emulsions and fouling issues in oil sands production and the associated interfacial interaction mechanisms

Frequent collaborators

Hao Zhang

Qingxia Liu

Tian Tang

Qi Liu

Ravin Narain

Yang Liu

Qingye Lu

Jing Liu

Xuehua Zhang

Edmond Lou

Xiaolei Wang

Rajender Gupta

Erin Bobicki

Xihua Wang

An Chen

Zhi Li

Manisha Gupta

Huazhou Li

Natalia Semagina

Philip Egberts

Karthik Shankar

Jason Acker

Cuiying Jian

Adetola Adesida

Mohamed Gamal El-Din

Ge Li

Robert Ben

Richard Thompson

Anion-π Interaction-Regulated Ion Generation and High Piezoionic Response in Ultrasoft Low-Salinity Hydrogels.