About The Research Group
Welcome to our research group! Here, we try to combine principles of fundamental chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science to contribute with meaningful insights into the fields of photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and microfluidics, with a special interest in developing sustainable decarbonization technologies.
As a research group rooted within a Jesuit institution and aligned with its ethos, we believe that scientific inquiry goes beyond the pursuit of knowledge, involving a profound reflection of our commitment to the greater good. Inspired by Jesuit ideals, we aim for answers with understanding and purpose, viewing each challenge as an opportunity to engage deeply with the world and harness science in the service of humanity. Feel free to get in touch, as we are always open to meaningful collaborations!
Our Sponsors
Research Lines
Photocatalysis for Environmental & Energy Applications
Harnessing the full potential of sunlight!
Advanced Oxidation Processes
Developing new reactors and processes for sustainable water treatment.
Microreactor Design & Fabrication
Exploring the world of microfluidics and manufacturing.
Multiscale Modelling & Simulation
From quantum mechanics to reactor design, bridging scales with process simulation.
Education & Outreach
Engaging with the community and shaping the next generation of engineers.
Our Team
The algorithm behind the data!
Bruno Ramos
Assistant Professor
Chem Eng, FEI
Douglas Gouvêa
Full Professor
Materials Eng, EP-USP
Antonio Carlos S.C. Teixeira
Associate Professor
Chemical Eng, EP-USP
Valter H. Carvalho-Silva
Associate Professor
Chemistry, UEG
Andreia Morandim-Giannetti
Associate Professor
Chemical Eng, FEI
Andre Luiz da Silva
Assistant Professor
Materials Eng, EP-USP
Gustavo V. Olivieri
Assistant Professor
Chemical Eng, FEI
Bruna Pratto
Assistant Professor
Chemical Eng, FEI
Anderson Luis Barbosa
PhD in Materials Eng, EP-USP
3D printing of advanced ceramics
Cátia Alves Podence
PhD in Materials Eng, EP-USP
Modified hematites for energy storage
Felipe Colares
MSc in Chemical Eng, FEI
Thermodynamic properties of 1,4-dioxane mixtures
Ariel P. Lima
MSc in Materials Eng, EP-USP
Design of microfluidic LTCC reactors
Sandra Curioso
MSc in Agroindustrial Eng, UN San Marcos
Bioconversion of mango seed starch
Carolina M. F. Ferreira
Chemical Eng, FEI
3D-printing of ceramic supports
Leticia Souza Castro
Chemistry, ETEC
Treatment of coffee pads wastewater
Davi de Oliveira Lima Zimath
Mechanical Eng, FEI
Gas-Diffusion Electrodes for fuel cells
Manuela Vieira de Biase
Mechanical Eng, FEI
Engineering of LDH for green ammonia
Julia Morais Juliani
Chemical Eng, FEI
Design of a gut-on-a-chip system
Murilo Rondello
Chemical Eng, FEI
Synthesis of MOx and LDH in mesofluidic reactors
Eng. Thesis Group
Chemical Eng, FEI
Click for members & details
Larissa Pinheiro de Souza
DSc in Chemical Eng, EP-USP (2024)
Design of electrochemical reactors for AOPs
Natalia Klanovicz
PhD in Chemical Eng, EP-USP (2025)
Intensification of Biochemical AOPs
Renata de Toledo Cintra
MSc in Materials Eng, EP-USP (2024)
Design of reactors for artificial photosynthesis
João Vitor Gaspar Oliveira
Chemical Eng, FEI (SI, 2025)
Design of a Direct Ammonia Fuel Cell
Eng. Thesis Group
Chemical Eng, FEI (BSc, 2024)
Click for members & details
Eng. Thesis Group
Chemical Eng, FEI (BSc, 2025)
Click for members & detailsRecent Publications
These are the research items published by our group in 2025.
Peer-Reviewed Papers
- "Photocatalytic ammonia synthesis from nitrogen in water using iron oxides: Comparative efficiency of goethite, magnetite, and hematite" Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 2025.
- "Screening techniques as a preliminary diagnostic tool for advanced oxidative processes on a laboratory scale" Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2025.
- "Cl-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity via Selective Surface Lixiviation: Implications for Acetaminophen Degradation" ACS Applied Nano Materials, 2025.
- "Photocatalytic activity in anatase TiO2 nanoparticles: Key insights from additive segregation and transition metal oxide doping" Ceramics International, 2025.
- "Innovative defect engineering: A novel synthesis approach for an efficient Ti3+-TiO2/SiO2 gas-phase-photocatalyst under UV–VIS radiation" Ceramics International, 2025.
- "Investigating fluoxetine removal via an electro-Fenton-like approach: Experimental design, kinetic modeling and evaluation of operating conditions" Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2025.
- "Deep Removal and Photodegradation of Methylene Blue Dye Using Superabsorbent Polymer Hydrogel Composite with Activated Charcoal and TiO2 Nanoparticles" ACS Omega, 2025.
- "A Systematic Production of Medium-Chain Triglycerides Using Conventional and Advanced Methods" Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India): Series E, 2025.
- "Scaling up immobilized WO3-Ag-AgCl photocatalysts for continuous acetaminophen removal using dual irradiation" Solar Energy, 2026.
- "Efficient Degradation of Carbamazepine in Continuous and Batch Modes by Laccase-Photo-Fenton-Intensified Hybrid Treatment" ACS ES&T Water, 2026.
Conference Papers
- ILC Cunha, B Ramos, et al. "Environmental feasibility analysis of AOP technologies for the treatment of flexography effluents". In: The 7th EAAOP-7, Salerno. June 2025.
- AP Lima, MR Gongora-Rubio, et al. "Microreator cerâmico para catálise com CO2 em condições supercríticas para produção de metanol". In: 69° Congresso Brasileiro de Cerâmica, Natal. June 2025.
- CAP Alves, ABF Saliba, et al. "Photocatalytic reduction of N2 in water under simulated solar light using F-doped nano-Fe2O3...". In: 69° Congresso Brasileiro de Cerâmica, Natal. June 2025.
- AL da Silva, ABF Saliba, et al. "Synergistic Effects in Photocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis Using Fe2O3-TiO2 Nanostructures". In: 69° Congresso Brasileiro de Cerâmica, Natal. June 2025.
- CMF Ferreira, AL Barbosa, et al. "Preparação de Suportes Monolíticos em SnO2 para Aplicações Catalíticas por Robocasting". In: 69° Congresso Brasileiro de Cerâmica, Natal. June 2025.
- ABF Saliba, AA Bernardes, et al. "On the distribution of ruthenium in nanostructured WO3 synthesized by the Pechini method". In: 27th IUPAC ICCT, Porto. July 2025.
- B Ramos, GV Olivieri & RB Torres. "Thermodynamic analysis of photocatalytic ammonia synthesis via quantum chemical calculations...". In: 27th IUPAC ICCT, Porto. July 2025.
- M Nesti, B Ramos, et al. "Sensitivity analysis of epoxidation reaction effects on partition coefficients based on the UNIFAC model". In: 27th IUPAC ICCT, Porto. July 2025.
- GM Melo, RG dos Santos, et al. "Experimental and computational study on interactions in the ternary aqueous systems containing saccharides...". In: 27th IUPAC ICCT, Porto. July 2025.
- B Ramos, B Pratto, et al. "Promovendo a qualificação profissional para a transição energética na Engenharia Química...". In: 53 Congresso Brasileiro de Ensino de Engenharia, Campinas. September 2025.
- DOL Zimath, & B Ramos. "Prototyping of gas diffusion electrode for metal–air battery using sustainable materials". In: 33rd SIICUSP, São Paulo. September 2025.
- LS de Castro, ACSC Teixeira & B Ramos. "Caffeine removal from washing waters using the solar photo-Fenton process". In: 33rd SIICUSP, São Paulo. September 2025.
- GV Perretta, B Ramos & R Condotta. "Development of catalysts for the photocatalytic synthesis of ammonia". In: 33rd SIICUSP, São Paulo. September 2025.
- ABF Saliba, B Ramos & AL da Silva. "Síntese e Aplicação de TiO2 e Fe2O3 para Produção de Amônia Verde". In: 15o Simpósio de Iniciação Científica da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo. Anais do 15o SICFEI. October 2025.
- CMF Ferreira, AL Barbosa, D Gouvêa & B Ramos. "Preparação de Suportes Cerâmicos em SnO2 para aplicações catalíticas por robocasting". In: 15o Simpósio de Iniciação Científica da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo. Anais do 15o SICFEI. October 2025.
- MV de Biase, R Rosseto & B Ramos. "Redução Eletrocatalítica de Nitrato a Amônia utilizando Hidróxidos Duplo-Lamelares". In: 15o Simpósio de Iniciação Científica da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo. Anais do 15o SICFEI. October 2025.
- DOL Zimath & B Ramos. "Fabricação de Eletrodos de Difusão Gasosa Sustentáveis para Geração e Armazenamento de Energia". In: 15o Simpósio de Iniciação Científica da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo. Anais do 15o SICFEI. October 2025.
- LS de Castro, ACSC Teixeira & B Ramos. "Degradação de cafeína em efluentes de cápsulas de café via processo foto-Fenton". In: 15o Simpósio de Iniciação Científica da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo. Anais do 15o SICFEI. October 2025.
- MR Nascimento & B Ramos. "Síntese Contínua de Catalisadores à Base de Fe2O3 e HDL NiCr para Aplicações na Fotossíntese Artificial de Amônia". In: 15o Simpósio de Iniciação Científica da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo. Anais do 15o SICFEI. October 2025.
- LS de Castro & B Ramos. "Avaliação comparativa dos processos Fenton e foto-Fenton solar para tratamento de águas de lavagem de cápsulas de café". In: 1o Simpósio Brasileiro de Processos Oxidativos Avançados, Limeira. Abstracts of the 1st SBPOA. November 2025.
National & International Collaborations
Photocatalysis for Energy & Environment
Our research in photocatalysis focuses on designing and optimizing novel semiconductor materials to address critical environmental and energy challenges. We explore everything from fundamental defect engineering in materials like TiO2 and ZnO to the development of intensified microreactors for solar-driven processes. Our goal is to create efficient, low-cost solutions for water purification, air treatment, and the sustainable synthesis of chemicals like ammonia.
Key Publications
Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs)
Our work in Advanced Oxidation Processes is dedicated to developing robust and efficient solutions for treating recalcitrant pollutants in water and wastewater. We investigate a wide range of technologies, from classic Fenton and ozonation processes to innovative hybrid systems combining hydrodynamic cavitation, persulfate activation, and enzymatic reactions. A key focus is on process optimization, kinetic modeling, and reactor design—including 3D-printed prototypes—to create scalable and economically viable water treatment solutions.
Key Publications
Microreactor Design & Fabrication
This research line is dedicated to process intensification through the innovative design of micro-structured reactors. We leverage techniques like 3D printing, spray pyrolysis, and catalyst immobilization to create low-cost, high-efficiency systems for a variety of applications, including solar photocatalysis and advanced oxidation. By manipulating flow in micro-structured spaces, we aim to overcome mass-transport limitations, enhance light harnessing, and develop scalable solutions for environmental and energy challenges.
Key Publications
Multiscale Modelling & Simulation
In this research line, we use a range of computational tools to bridge the gap between molecular-level phenomena and reactor-scale performance. By applying quantum chemical calculations (like DFT), we unveil reaction mechanisms and predict kinetic constants. At a larger scale, we use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and process simulation to understand hydrodynamic behavior, optimize reactor design, and predict the environmental fate of pollutants. This multiscale approach allows us to build robust, predictive models that accelerate the development of sustainable chemical processes.
Key Publications
Education & Outreach
Beyond the lab, we are deeply committed to advancing chemical engineering education and using our expertise to address pressing societal needs. We focus on developing and implementing innovative teaching methodologies, such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) enhanced with AI tools, to create more engaging and effective learning environments. Our goal is to equip the next generation of engineers with both the hard and soft skills necessary to tackle complex, real-world challenges. This includes institutional modernization projects and rapid-response research to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
