Dr Xuan Wu

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Future Industries Institute

Future Industries Institute

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD as Principal Supervisor - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Dr Xuan Wu received her B.Sc. (Chemistry and Material Science) from Shanxi Normal University in 2010, the M.Sc. (Chemistry) from Tianjin University in 2013, and the PhD degree (Energy and Advanced Manufacturing) from the University of South Australia in 2017. In the same year she joined the UniSA as a Research Associate to work on Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion and Applications.   

Date Position Institution name
2023 - ongoing Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of South Australia
2021 - 2023 Research Fellow University of South Australia
2017 - 2020 Research Associate University of South Australia

Language Competency
Achinese Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
2013 - 2017 University of South Australia Australia Doctoral Degree
2010 - 2013 Tianjin University China Masters Degree

Year Citation
2026 Wang, D., Bu, Y., Wu, X., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2026). A 3D printed Cu evaporator support for record-high interfacial solar evaporation. Materials Horizons, 13(5), 2509-2519.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2026 Liu, J., Liu, Y., Ma, X., Xu, H., Wu, X., Liu, M., . . . Zhuge, Y. (2026). Thermal energy storage foam concrete incorporating n-Octadecane/CuO microcapsules synthesised via Pickering emulsion strategy. Cement and Concrete Composites, 169, 106545.
DOI
2025 Wang, D., Wu, X., Yu, H., Bu, Y., Lu, Y., Chu, D., . . . Xu, H. (2025). Dyson sphere-like evaporators enhanced interfacial solar evaporation via self-generated internal convection. Nature Communications, 16(1), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus65 WoS64 Europe PMC9
2025 Liu, J., Liu, Y., Ma, X., Xu, H., Wu, X., Liu, M., & Zhuge, Y. (2025). Thermal performance optimisation of foam concrete for energy-efficient construction: A state-of-the-art review. Journal of Building Engineering, 112(113899), 113899.
DOI Scopus16 WoS17
2025 Xiong, Q., Wang, D., Shao, B., Yu, H., Wu, X., Lu, Y., . . . Xu, H. (2025). Unlocking Zero Liquid Discharge: A Parallel Water Supply Strategy to Realize Selective Salt Crystallization for Long-Term Interfacial Solar Evaporation. Advanced Functional Materials, 35(7), 2409257-1-2409257-11.
DOI Scopus123 WoS122
2024 Yu, H., Jin, H., Qiu, M., Liang, Y., Sun, P., Cheng, C., . . . Xu, H. (2024). Making Interfacial Solar Evaporation of Seawater Faster than Fresh Water. Advanced Materials, 36(52), e2414045-1-e2414045-11.
DOI Scopus168 WoS167 Europe PMC47
2024 Zhuang, T., Xu, L., Khalid, M., Wu, X., Du, L., Shahnia, S., . . . Wang, Y. (2024). Light-sheet skew ray-based microbubble chemical sensor for pb²⁺ measurements. Sensors, 24(21, article no. 6785), 1-12.
DOI
2024 Liang, Y., Wang, D., Yu, H., Wu, X., Lu, Y., Yang, X., . . . Xu, H. (2024). Recent innovations in 3D solar evaporators and their functionalities. Science Bulletin, 69(22), 3590-3617.
DOI Scopus106 WoS103 Europe PMC28
2024 Liu, J., Zhuge, Y., Ma, X., Xu, H., Wu, X., Liu, M., & Liu, Y. (2024). Foam concrete nanocomposites synergistic integration of ultrasonically exfoliated two-dimensional vermiculite nanoplatelets and expanded vermiculite: Mechanical and thermal performance optimisation. Journal of Building Engineering, 82(108272), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus10 WoS10
2024 Wu, X., Lu, Y., Ren, X., Wu, P., Chu, D., Yang, X., & Xu, H. (2024). Interfacial Solar Evaporation: From Fundamental Research to Applications. Advanced Materials, 36(23), 63 pages.
DOI Scopus636 WoS586 Europe PMC120
2023 Yu, H., Wang, D., Jin, H., Wu, P., Wu, X., Chu, D., . . . Xu, H. (2023). 2D MoN₁.₂rGO Stacked Heterostructures Enabled Water State Modification for Highly Efficient Interfacial Solar Evaporation. Advanced Functional Materials, 33(24), 1-9.
DOI Scopus175 WoS174
2023 Wu, P., Wu, X., Wang, Y., Zhao, J., Xu, H., & Owens, G. (2023). Boosting extraction of Pb in contaminated soil via interfacial solar evaporation of multifunctional sponge. Green Energy and Environment, 8(5), 1459-1468.
DOI Scopus32 WoS33
2023 Wu, P., Wu, X., Yu, H., Zhao, J., Wang, Y., Pi, K., . . . Xu, H. (2023). An interfacial solar evaporation enabled autonomous double-layered vertical floating solar sea farm. Chemical Engineering Journal, 473(145452), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus53 WoS53
2023 Wang, D., Wu, X., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2023). Porous carbon-based thermally conductive materials: Fabrication, functions and applications. CHINESE JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL CHEMISTRY, 42(4), 15 pages.
DOI WoS21
2023 Zhao, J., Wu, X., Yu, H., Wang, Y., Wu, P., Yang, X., . . . Xu, H. (2023). Regenerable aerogel-based thermogalvanic cells for efficient low-grade heat harvesting from solar radiation and interfacial solar evaporation systems. Ecomat, 5(3), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus56 WoS53
2023 Wang, Y., Hu, J., Yu, L., Wu, X., Zhang, Y., & Xu, H. (2023). Recent strategies for constructing efficient interfacial solar evaporation systems. Nano Research Energy, 2(2), 19 pages.
DOI Scopus137 WoS131
2022 Liu, J., Zhuge, Y., Ma, X., Liu, M., Liu, Y., Wu, X., & Xu, H. (2022). Physical and mechanical properties of expanded vermiculite (EV) embedded foam concrete subjected to elevated temperatures. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 16(e01038), 1-12.
DOI Scopus42 WoS37
2022 Gao, T., Wu, X., Owens, G., & Xu, H. L. (2022). Correction to: A cobalt oxide@polydopamine-reduced graphene oxide-based 3D photothermal evaporator for highly efficient solar steam generation (Tungsten, (2020), 2, 4, (423-432), 10.1007/s42864-020-00062-6). Tungsten, 4(4), 378.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2022 Gao, T., Wang, Y., Wu, X., Wu, P., Yang, X., Li, Q., . . . Xu, H. (2022). More from less: improving solar steam generation by selectively removing a portion of evaporation surface. Science Bulletin, 67(15), 1572-1580.
DOI Scopus244 WoS240 Europe PMC68
2022 Wang, Y., Wu, X., Wu, P., Yu, H., Zhao, J., Yang, X., . . . Xu, H. (2022). Salt isolation from waste brine enabled by interfacial solar evaporation with zero liquid discharge. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 10(27), 14470-14478.
DOI Scopus111 WoS112
2022 Wu, P., Wu, X., Wang, Y., Xu, H., & Owens, G. (2022). A biomimetic interfacial solar evaporator for heavy metal soil remediation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 435(134793), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus87 WoS88
2022 Wu, P., Wu, X., Wang, Y., Xu, H., & Owens, G. (2022). Towards sustainable saline agriculture: Interfacial solar evaporation for simultaneous seawater desalination and saline soil remediation. Water Research, 212(article no. 118099), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus224 WoS219 Europe PMC56
2021 Wang, Y., Wu, X., Wu, P., Zhao, J., Yang, X., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2021). Enhancing solar steam generation using a highly thermally conductive evaporator support. Science Bulletin, 66(24), 2479-2488.
DOI Scopus265 WoS262 Europe PMC55
2021 Wu, P., Wu, X., Xu, H., & Owens, G. (2021). Interfacial solar evaporation driven lead removal from a contaminated soil. Ecomat, 3(5), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus60 WoS57
2021 Gao, T., Wu, X., Wang, Y., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2021). A Hollow and Compressible 3D Photothermal Evaporator for Highly Efficient Solar Steam Generation without Energy Loss. Solar Rrl, 5(5), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus196 WoS196
2021 Wang, Y., Wu, X., Gao, T., Lu, Y., Yang, X., Chen, G. Y., . . . Xu, H. (2021). Same materials, bigger output: A reversibly transformable 2D–3D photothermal evaporator for highly efficient solar steam generation. Nano Energy, 79(105477), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus390 WoS370
2021 Wu, X., Wang, Y., Wu, P., Zhao, J., Lu, Y., Yang, X., & Xu, H. (2021). Dual-Zone Photothermal Evaporator for Antisalt Accumulation and Highly Efficient Solar Steam Generation. Advanced Functional Materials, 31(34), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus395 WoS391
2021 Wu, X., Wu, Z., Wang, Y., Gao, T., Li, Q., & Xu, H. (2021). All-Cold Evaporation under One Sun with Zero Energy Loss by Using a Heatsink Inspired Solar Evaporator. ADVANCED SCIENCE, 8(7), 10 pages.
DOI Scopus372 WoS258 Europe PMC97
2020 Wang, J., Chen, G. Y., Wu, X., Xu, H., Monro, T. M., Liu, T., & Lancaster, D. G. (2020). Light-sheet skew ray-enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance-based chemical sensing. ACS Sensors, 5(1), 127-132.
DOI Scopus6 WoS7 Europe PMC2
2020 Wang, Y., Wu, X., Yang, X., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2020). Reversing heat conduction loss: Extracting energy from bulk water to enhance solar steam generation. Nano Energy, 78(105269), 10 pages.
DOI Scopus319 WoS306
2020 Shao, B., Wu, X., Wang, Y., Gao, T., Liu, Z. Q., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2020). A general method for selectively coating photothermal materials on 3D porous substrate surfaces towards cost-effective and highly efficient solar steam generation. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 8(46), 24703-24709.
DOI Scopus88 WoS88
2020 Gao, T., Wu, X., Owens, G., & Xu, H. L. (2020). A cobalt oxide@polydopamine-reduced graphene oxide-based 3D photothermal evaporator for highly efficient solar steam generation. Tungsten, 2(4), 423-432.
DOI Scopus58 WoS52
2020 Wang, Y., Wu, X., Shao, B., Yang, X., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2020). Boosting solar steam generation by structure enhanced energy management. Science Bulletin, 65(16), 1380-1388.
DOI Scopus264 WoS259 Europe PMC61
2020 Shao, B., Wang, Y., Wu, X., Lu, Y., Yang, X., Chen, G. Y., . . . Xu, H. (2020). Stackable nickel-cobalt@polydopamine nanosheet based photothermal sponges for highly efficient solar steam generation. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 8(23), 11665-11673.
DOI Scopus238 WoS239
2020 Storer, D. P., Phelps, J. L., Wu, X., Owens, G., Khan, N. I., & Xu, H. (2020). Graphene and Rice-Straw-Fiber-Based 3D Photothermal Aerogels for Highly Efficient Solar Evaporation. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 12(13), 15279-15287.
DOI Scopus406 WoS385 Europe PMC102
2019 Chen, G. Y., Wu, X., Schartner, E. P., Shahnia, S., Hebert, N. B., Yu, L., . . . Monro, T. M. (2019). Short-range non-bending fully distributed water/humidity sensors. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 37(9), 2014-2022.
DOI Scopus12 WoS9
2019 Chen, G. Y., Francois, A., Wu, X., Zhang, W. Q., Codemard, C. A., Xu, H., . . . Lancaster, D. G. (2019). Light-sheet skew-ray enhanced pump-absorption for sensing. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 37(9), 2140-2146.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7
2019 Chen, G. Y., Wu, X., Codemard, C. A., Yu, L., Liu, X., Xu, H., . . . Lancaster, D. G. (2019). Optical hygrometer using light-sheet skew-ray probed multimode fiber with polyelectrolyte coating. Sensors and actuators B: chemical, 296(126685), 1-6.
DOI Scopus11 WoS11
2019 Wu, X., Chen, G. Y., Owens, G., Chu, D., & Xu, H. (2019). Photothermal materials: A key platform enabling highly efficient water evaporation driven by solar energy. Materials Today Energy, 12, 277-296.
DOI Scopus433 WoS414
2019 Wu, X., Gao, T., Han, C., Xu, J., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2019). A photothermal reservoir for highly efficient solar steam generation without bulk water. Science Bulletin, 64(21), 1625-1633.
DOI Scopus241 WoS237 Europe PMC58
2019 Wu, X., Robson, M. E., Phelps, J. L., Tan, J. S., Shao, B., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2019). A flexible photothermal cotton-CuS nanocage-agarose aerogel towards portable solar steam generation. Nano Energy, 56, 708-715.
DOI Scopus441 WoS419
2019 Cheng, Y., Wu, X., & Xu, H. (2019). Catalytic decomposition of hydrous hydrazine for hydrogen production. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS, 3(2), 343-365.
DOI Scopus93 WoS83
2018 Chen, G. Y., Wu, X., Kang, Y. Q., Yu, L., Monro, T. M., Lancaster, D. G., . . . Xu, H. (2018). Erratum: Author Correction: Ultra-fast Hygrometer based on U-shaped Optical Microfiber with Nanoporous Polyelectrolyte Coating (Scientific reports (2017) 7 1 (7943)). Scientific Reports, 8(1), 5264.
DOI
2018 Facal Marina, P., Xu, J., Wu, X., & Xu, H. (2018). Thinking outside the box: Placing hydrophilic particles in an oil phase for the formation and stabilization of Pickering emulsions. Chemical Science, 9(21), 4821-4829.
DOI Scopus32 WoS32 Europe PMC18
2018 Wu, X., Wu, L., Tan, J., Chen, G. Y., Owens, G., & Xu, H. (2018). Evaporation above a bulk water surface using an oil lamp inspired highly efficient solar-steam generation strategy. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 6(26), 12267-12274.
DOI Scopus188 WoS178
2017 Chen, G., Wu, X., Liu, X., Lancaster, D., Monro, T., & Xu, H. (2017). Photodetector based on Vernier-enhanced Fabry-Perot interferometers with a photo-thermal coating. Scientific Reports, 7(41895), 41895-1-41895-9.
DOI Scopus11 WoS7 Europe PMC1
2017 Chen, G. Y., Wu, X., Kang, Y. Q., Yu, L., Monro, T. M., Lancaster, D. G., . . . Xu, H. (2017). Ultra-fast hygrometer based on U-shaped optical microfiber with nanoporous polyelectrolyte coating. Scientific reports, 7(7943), 1-8.
DOI Scopus31 WoS25 Europe PMC7
2017 Wu, X., Chen, G. Y., Zhang, W., Liu, X., & Xu, H. (2017). A Plant-Transpiration-Process-Inspired Strategy for Highly Efficient Solar Evaporation. ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS, 1(6), 7 pages.
DOI WoS248
2017 Wu, X., Xu, J., Chen, G. Y., Fan, R., Liu, X., & Xu, H. (2017). Harvesting, sensing and regulating light based on photo-thermal effect of Cu@CuO mesh. GREEN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT, 2(4), 387-392.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7
2017 Wu, X., Chen, G. Y., Zhang, W., Liu, X., & Xu, H. (2017). Correction to: A Plant-Transpiration-Process-Inspired Strategy for Highly Efficient Solar Evaporation (Advanced Sustainable Systems, (2017), 1, 6, (1700046), 10.1002/adsu.201700046). Advanced Sustainable Systems, 1(10).
DOI Scopus9
2016 Xu, J., Li, X., Wu, X., Wang, W., Fan, R., Liu, X., & Xu, H. (2016). Hierarchical CuO Colloidosomes and Their Structure Enhanced Photothermal Catalytic Activity. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C, 120(23), 12666-12672.
DOI Scopus69 WoS65
2015 Wu, X., Xu, R., Zhu, R., Wu, R., & Zhang, B. (2015). Converting 2D inorganic-organic ZnSe-DETA hybrid nanosheets into 3D hierarchical nanosheet-based ZnSe microspheres with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performances. Nanoscale, 7(21), 9752-9759.
DOI WoS30
2013 Xu, Y., Wang, H., Zhu, R., Liu, C., Wu, X., & Zhang, B. (2013). Conversion of CuO nanoplates into porous hybrid Cu2O/polypyrrole nanoflakes through a pyrrole-induced reductive transformation reaction. Chemistry - An Asian Journal, 8(6), 1120-1127.
DOI WoS24
2012 Yu, Y., Zhang, J., Wu, X., Zhao, W., & Zhang, B. (2012). Nanoporous single‐crystal‐like Cdx Zn1−x S nanosheets fabricated by the cation‐exchange reaction of inorganic-organic hybrid ZnS-amine with cadmium ions. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 51(4), 897-900.
DOI WoS206
2012 Wu, X., Yu, Y., Liu, Y., Xu, Y., Liu, C., & Zhang, B. (2012). Synthesis of hollow Cdx Zn1−x Se nanoframes through the selective cation exchange of inorganic-organic hybrid ZnSe-amine nanoflakes with cadmium Ions. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 51(13), 3211-3215.
DOI WoS105
2012 Xu, Y., Yuan, Y., Ma, A., Wu, X., Liu, Y., & Zhang, B. (2012). Composition-tunable Pt-Co alloy nanoparticle networks: facile room-temperature synthesis and supportless electrocatalytic applications. ChemPhysChem, 13(10), 2601-2609.
DOI WoS46

Year Citation
2023 Wu, X., & Xu, H. (2023). AU2022051590, Desalination apparatus and process.
2023 Wu, X., Wang, Y., & Xu, H. (2023). AU2022051107, Photothermal evaporation devices and methods for enhancing photothermal evaporation performance.
  • Light Powered Materials for Producing Chemical Fuels, ARC - Discovery Projects, 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2026 Co-Supervisor Optimization of Carbon Sequestration Efficiency of BiocharCement Composites Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Lige Gu
2026 Co-Supervisor Valorisation of wastewater treatment sludge for low carbon thermal storage composite Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Priscilla Fong Ern Gunn
2024 Co-Supervisor Development of an Innovative Carbon-Negative Aquaponic System for Fresh Water and Novel Food Production Powered by the advanced Interfacial Solar Evaporation Technology Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Peng Su
2024 Co-Supervisor Improving Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation via Regulating Material-Water Interactions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Jingwen Duanmu
2024 Principal Supervisor Improving Energy Generation Performance in Interfacial Solar Steam Generation Systems Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yitian Wu
2023 Principal Supervisor Simultaneous Photothermal Water Evaporation and Antibiotic Degradation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Qianqian Xiong
2023 Co-Supervisor Innovative material strategies for lowering evaporation enthalpy in solar-evaporation desalination Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Yunzheng Liang

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2022 - 2026 Co-Supervisor Design and fabrication of high performance photothermal evaporator for solar seawater desalination Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Deyu Wang
2021 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Interfacial solar driven evaporation for soil remediation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Pan Wu
2019 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Design and fabrication of highly efficient photothermal evaporators for portable solar-steam generation systems Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Ting Gao

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