José Lucas Vieira

Biography

Dr. Vieira earned his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar, Brazil) in 2024, where his research focused on designing bifunctional catalysts—niobium phosphates and acidic carbons—to convert monosaccharides into valuable chemicals such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, and levulinic acid. During a five-month research stay as a Ph.D. visiting student in the Multiscale Reaction Engineering (MuRE) group at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), he developed kinetic models for the conversion of glucose into HMF and levulinic acid, as well as synthesized nickel- and cobalt-supported phosphides for hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodesulfurization reactions of bio-oil. In the second semester of 2024, he began a postdoctoral position in the LabIvo group at UFSCar, where he developed chromatographic methods to study the photocatalytic conversion of methane. Currently, Dr. José Lucas Vieira is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the MuRE group at KAUST. His work focuses on algae valorization through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology, a process aimed at producing bio-oil and promoting resource circularity. In this research, Dr. Vieira is optimizing reaction conditions, developing hydroprocessing catalysts based on cost-effective metals such as Co, Ni, and Fe, and exploring methods to reuse the aqueous phase from HTL for algae cultivation. Dr. Vieira is committed to advancing sustainable chemistry solutions while fostering collaboration and innovation in the global scientific community. His work reflects a passion for addressing environmental challenges through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Research Interests

I have strong expertise in synthesizing catalysts with diverse functionalities for biomass conversion into value-added chemicals, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, and levulinic acid—key intermediates for polymers, fuels, and chemicals in the chemical industry. Additionally, my research extends to algae conversion into bio-oil using the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process, a promising alternative source for biofuel-like fractions. Furthermore, I have extensive experience in various catalyst characterization techniques and reaction media analysis using HPLC, GC, and ¹H NMR.

Selected Publications

IGA, G. D.; VIEIRA, J. L.; SANTOS, É. A.; ALBUQUERQUE, J. S.; URQUIETA-GONZÁLEZ, E. A.; BUENO, J. M. C.; GALLO, J. M. R. Should We Still Be Using HCl in the Synthesis of SBA-15 and Al-SBA-15? Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2024.113222
VIEIRA, J. L.; SANTOS, E. A.; RIBEIRO, C.; GALLO, J. M. R. The Impact of the Ratio Between Stronger and Weaker Acid Sites on the Production of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural and Furfural from Monosaccharides. ChemCatChem, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202301666
VIEIRA, J. L.; DESTRO, P.; LAIER, L. O.; MARQUES, C. M. P.; GALLO, J. M. R.; BUENO, J. M. C. MgO/SiO2 Prepared by Wet-Kneading as a Catalyst for Ethanol Conversion to 1,3-Butadiene: Prins Condensation as the Predominant Mechanism. Molecular Catalysis, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcat.2022.112718
VIEIRA, J. L.; PAUL, G.; IGA, G. D.; CABRAL, N. M.; BUENO, J. M. C.; BISIO, C.; GALLO, J. M. R. Niobium Phosphates as Bifunctional Catalysts for the Conversion of Biomass-Derived Monosaccharides. Applied Catalysis A-General, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2021.118099
DE ANDRADE, R. N.; PERINI, N.; VIEIRA, J. L.; GALLO, J. M. R.; SITTA, E. Glycerol Electrooxidation Catalyzed by Pt-Sb Supported in Periodic Mesoporous Carbon CMK-3 and CMK-5. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2021.115158
FINGER, P. H.; VIEIRA, J. L.; LORENTI, J. P.; CABRAL, N. M.; GALLO, J. M. R. Uso de Etanol Como Intermediário Para a Produção de Produtos Químicos de Interesse Industrial. In Biomassa: estrutura, propriedades e aplicações. 2020. https://doi.org/10.7476/9786586768442.0013
VIEIRA, J. L.; ALMEIDA-TRAPP, M.; MITHÖFER, A.; PLASS, W.; GALLO, J. M. R. Rationalizing the Conversion of Glucose and Xylose Catalyzed by a Combination of Lewis and Brønsted Acids. Catalysis Today, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2018.10.032

Education

Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil, 2019 – 2024
Bachelor, Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil, 2015 – 2018

Professional Profile

Postdoctoral Researcher, LabIvo, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil, 2024
Ph.D. researcher, GreenCat and CATFERT, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil, 2019 – 2024
Ph.D. visiting student researcher, MuRE, KAUST, Saudi Arabia, 2023 – 2024
Undergraduate researcher in scientific initiation program, GreenCat, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil, 2016 – 2018
Undergraduate visiting student researcher, UPO, Italy, 2018
Undergraduate researcher in scientific initiation program, GreenCat, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil, 2015 – 2016

Awards

Ambassador of Brazilian Society of Catalysis (SBCat) for Region 3 (São Paulo, Southern Minas, Triângulo Mineiro, and Paraná), 2025
1st place overall in the selection process for the Academic Master's Program in the Postgraduate Program in Chemistry (PPGQ), Federal University of São Carlos, 2019
1st place overall in the selection process for the Direct Doctorate Program at the Graduate School Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos (USP), 2019
Regional Council of Chemistry Award - Award for the student with the highest Point Average (GPA), Chemistry Program, Federal University of São Carlos, 2015-2018
Mario Tolentino Award – Award for outstanding research and extracurricular activities during the chemistry program at the Federal University of São Carlos, 2015-2018

KAUST Affiliations

KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC)

Division of Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)

Research Interests Keywords

Hydroprocessing Waste Upgrading algae hydrothermal liquefaction