Chemistry for the Environment (Chem4Env)

Group Coordinator: José Manuel F. Nogueira

 

 

Chemistry for the Environment (Chem4Env) is a multidisciplinary group structured in several laboratories, focusing research on new chemical methodologies and applications that play important roles in current and future environmental and societal challenges. To fulfil its goal, ‘Chem4Env’ pursues three major missions: i) carry out forefront research, through strong national and international cooperation on chemical systems using innovative technologies with environmental concerns, ii) conduct advanced training on those subjects to the next generations, and iii) play a major role in technology transfer of part of its achievements, along the following areas:

 

  • Environmental monitoring involving the development, optimization, validation and application of new analytical strategies, methods, procedures, and innovative devices (e.g., microextraction-based techniques), particularly for the determination of traces of emerging and priority contaminants in matrices with a large impact. Research in metrology and examinology supports the quality of the data;

 

  • Biogeochemical knowledge of the processes (speciation, transport, fate, and effects on biota) involving priority pollutants (e.g., Hg) and contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., PGE) in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Special attention is given to Arctic and Antarctic permafrost soils (release of contaminants, organic matter characterization and role on greenhouse gases production);​

 

  • Research on Cosmochemistry and Astrobiology with emphasis in detection i) of organic molecules namely on meteorites and their potential contribution to the origin of life on Earth, and ii) of signatures of extra-terrestrial life on other places of our solar system and in exoplanets;

 

  • Development of novel electroactive surfaces by modifying electrodes with specific functions with improved electrochemical and optical performances towards energy conversion and storage, (bio)sensing and environment remediation;

 

  • Design of tailored porous materials and catalysts for adsorption of gases and emerging pollutants from aqueous media, and catalytic application to refining, petrochemistry and fine chemistry reactions complying with green chemistry. Photocatalytic application of novel nanocrystalline semiconductors and carbon materials for water remediation. Environmentally-friendly practices for recycling critical metals.

 

 

Selected Publications

A. Indekeu, E. Bailón-García, A. Fernandes, R. Baltazar, A.M. Ferraria, A.M. B. do Rego, M. Filipa Ribeiro. Synthesis of modified TiO2-based catalysts for the photocatalytic production of solar fuels from synthesis gas. Catalysis Today, 379 (2021) 272. DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2020.07.017

A. Martins, V. Neves, J. Moutinho, N. Nunes, A.P. Carvalho. Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction over hierarchical Y zeolite modified through surfactant mediated technology. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 323 (2021) 111167. DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2021.111167

A.C. Fernandes, R.V. Pinto, S. Carvalho, L. Mafra, J. Rocha, M.L. Pinto, F. Antunes, J. Pires. Storage and delivery of H2S by microporous and mesoporous materials. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 320 (2021) 11093. DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2021.111093

B. Bento, H. Hintelmann, M.C. Santos, R. Cesário, J. Canário. Mercury methylation rates in Deception Island (Maritime Antarctica) waters and pyroclastic gravel impacted by volcanic mercury. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 164 (2021) 112013. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112023

B.T. Franzin, F.C. Guizellini, O. Hojo, I.A. Pastre, M.R.R. Marchi, H.F. Silva, F.L. Fertonani, C.M. Oliveira. Chemical and morpho-structural characterization of atmospheric aerosol (PM10 and PM2.5) in a city of São Paulo state, Brazil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28 (2021) 59486. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13602-5

C.E. Monteiro, A. Cobelo-García, M. Correia dos Santos, M. Caetano. Drivers of Pt and Rh variability in the water column of a hydrodynamic estuary: Effects of contrasting environments. Science of The Total Environment, 760 (2021) 143909. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143909

L.C. Almeida, R.D. Correia, B. Palys, J.P. Correia, A.S. Viana. Comprehensive study of the electrochemical growth and physicochemical properties of polycatecholamines and polycatechol. Electrochimica Acta, 386 (2021) 138515. DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138515

L.C. Almeida, T. Frade, R.D. Correia, Y. Niu, G. Jin, J.P. Correia, A.S. Viana. Electrosynthesis of polydopamine-ethanolamine films for the development of immunosensing interfaces. Scientific Reports, 11 (2021) 1-12. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81816-1

M. D'Ischia,  P. Manini, Z. Martins, L. Remusat, C.M.O'D Alexander, C. Puzzarini, V. Barone, R. Saladino. Insoluble organic matter in chondrites: Archetypal melanin-like PAH-based multifunctionality at the origin of life? Physics of Life Reviews, 37 (2021) 65-93. DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2021.03.002

V. Radtke, D. Stoica, I. Leito, F. Camões, I. Krossing, B. Anes, M. Roziková, L. Deleebeeck, S. Veltzé, T. Näykki, F. Bastkowski, A. Heering, N. Dániel, R. Quendera, L. Liv, E. Uysal, N. Lawrence. A unified pH scale for all solvents: part I – intention and reasoning (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure and Applied Chemistry, 93-9 (2021) 1049. DOI: 10.1515/pac-2019-0504

B. Barrocas, L. Chiavassa, M.C. Oliveira, O.C. Monteiro. Impact of Fe, Mn co-doping in titanate nanowires photocatalytic performance for emergent organic pollutants removal. Chemosphere, 250 (2020) 126240. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126240

C.I. Fernandes, P.D. Vaz, T.G. Nunes, C.D. Nunes. Zinc biomimetic catalysts for epoxidation of olefins with H2O2. Applied Clay Science, 190 (2020) 105562. DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2020.105562

P.S.F. Mendes, S. Siradze, L. Pirro, J.W. Thybaut. Open data in catalysis: From today’s big picture to the future of small data. ChemCatChem, 13-3 (2020) 836. DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202001132

R.M.C. Viegas , A.S. Mestre , E. Mesquita, M. Campinas, M.A. Andrade, A.P. Carvalho, M.J, Rosa. Assessing the applicability of a new carob waste-derived powdered activated carbon to control pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater treatment. Science of the Total Environment, 743 (2020) 140791. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140791

R.T.J. Gerards, A. Fernandes, I. Graça, M.F. Ribeiro. Towards understanding of phenolic compounds impact on Ni- and V-USY zeolites during bio-oils co-processing in FCC units. Fuel, 260 (2020) 116372. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116372

S.M. Ahmad, M.N. Oliveira, N.R. Neng, J.M.F. Nogueira. A fast and validated high throughput bar adsorptive microextraction (HT-BAµE) method for the determination of ketamine and norketamine in urine samples. Molecules, 25 (2020) 1438. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061438

C. Borges, C. Palma, R.J.N. Bettencourt da Silva. Optimization of river sampling: application to nutrients distribution in Tagus river estuary. Analytical Chemistry, 91 (2019) 5698. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05781

R. Almeida, M. Filipa Ribeiro, A. Fernandes, J. P. Lourenço. Gas-phase conversion of glycerol to allyl alcohol over vanadium-supported zeolite beta. Catalysis Communications, 127 (2019) 20. DOI: 10.1016/j.catcom.2019.04.015

A.P. Paiva, O. Ortet, G.I. Carvalho, C.A. Nogueira. Recovery of palladium from a spent industrial catalyst through leaching and solvent extraction. Hydrometallurgy, 171 (2017) 394. DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2017.06.014

J.M.F. Nogueira. Stir-bar sorptive extraction: 15 years making sample preparation more environment-friendly. TrAC-Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 71 (2015) 214-223. DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2015.05.002