Professor Kátia Cecília de Souza Figueiredo is a researcher in Chemical Engineering with expertise in membrane separation processes and adsorption technologies. Her work primarily focuses on gas separation and protein recovery from food residues, integrating principles of transport phenomena, materials science, and bioprocessing. She has contributed significantly to the development and optimization of advanced membrane materials and adsorption systems for sustainable industrial applications. Her recent studies include the continuous adsorption and desorption of model proteins using chitosan beads and the creation of oxygen-functionalized carbon nanotube composites in polysulfone matrices for efficient CO₂ separation. She has also explored innovative approaches for downstream butanol separation from ABE fermentation, as well as protein recovery processes such as bromelain extraction from pineapple subproducts using ultrafiltration and aqueous biphasic systems. Earlier in her career, she developed crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) films with improved stability under mild reaction conditions. Her research integrates green engineering approaches with process intensification, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and promote the use of renewable materials. Overall, her work contributes to advancing sustainable separation technologies and bioprocess engineering in chemical and environmental applications.
Featured Publications:
Figueiredo, K. C. S., & [Co-authors]. (2024). Mixed matrix membranes of polydimethylsiloxane with activated carbon for ABE separation. Journal of Applied Polymer Science.
[Author(s)]. (2024). Selection criteria for solvent and coagulation medium to modulate the structure of polymethylmethacrylate prepared by wet phase inversion. Orbital.
Flores, M. C., & Figueiredo, K. C. S. (2023). Asymmetric oxygen-functionalized carbon nanotubes dispersed in polysulfone for CO₂ separation. Journal of Applied Polymer Science.