The Department of Metallurgical and Applied Physical Chemistry has a long history. Its predecessor institution was the Physical Chemistry Teaching and Research Institution in Central-South Institute of Mining and Metallurgy established in 1959. Academician Chen Xinmin was the first Director of the Research Institution until 1978. In 2000, the Institute of Metallurgical and Applied Physical Chemistry was established, and Professor Chen Qiyuan was the first director. This department is responsible for the construction of two second-level disciplines including physical chemistry and metallurgical physical chemistry, and conducts undergraduate, master, doctor, and postdoctoral training in both disciplines.

Central South University has the most complete non-ferrous metal geography, mining, processing, metallurgy, materials, and processing disciplines at home and abroad. Under the background of the above disciplines, Professor Chen Xinmin, as one of the founders of China's metallurgical physical chemistry discipline, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and former dean of Central South University of Mining and Metallurgy, first founded the metallurgical physical chemistry majors in China in 1967. This is an interdisciplinary subject formed by the fusion of physical chemistry and metallurgical processes. Through the cross-discipline and integrated innovation, our department has systematically carried out the frontier exploration and engineering application in the following fields, including metallurgical thermodynamics, metallurgical kinetics and process strengthening, electrochemical basic theory and engineering, non-ferrous metal resource chemistry, material physical chemistry, and new energy materials, etc. These achievements have contributed to the major scientific problems in China's nonferrous metal industry in the aspects of new theories, methods and technologies. Our department has gradually formed a fruitful cross-discipline platform of resources, energy, and advanced materials.

Our department was granted the right to confer a master's degree in metallurgical physical chemistry in 1978, the right to confer a master's degree in physical chemistry in 2005, and the right to confer a doctoral degree in physical chemistry in 2010. Through the "211 Project", "985 Project" and the construction of key disciplines in Hunan Province, Our department has become an important base for scientific research and high-level personnel training of metallurgical physical and chemistry.

Research Fields

1. Metallurgical Thermodynamics and Dynamics

2. Applied Electrochemistry

3. Non-ferrous Metal Resource Chemistry

4. Material physical chemistry and New Energy Materials