Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
👨🎓Profiles
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Prof. Dr. Diego Alves began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s in Physics from the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. in Physics at the prestigious Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). His early research cultivated a deep interest in nanostructured materials and their multifunctional applications, setting the stage for an impactful scientific career. A postdoctoral fellowship at UFMG further refined his skills in experimental physics and materials science.
🧑🔬 Professional Endeavors
Currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) since 2015, Prof. Alves has led innovative research across materials science, focusing on the development of functional nanomaterials. His professional journey is marked by active roles in funded national and international research programs including FUNDECT and CAPES PRINT, and close collaboration with global institutions like Rutgers University (USA) and UFMG.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Prof. Alves’ work is at the cutting edge of nanotechnology applied to energy and environmental solutions. His research areas include the synthesis and characterization of carbon nanostructures and semiconductor oxides, supercapacitors and electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction, photocatalytic materials for pollutant degradation, and low-cost nanodevices and sensors for environmental and biomedical use. Notable contributions include the development of graphene oxide-based supercapacitors with superior energy storage capabilities, and copper nanoparticle/graphene catalysts that convert CO₂ into oxalic acid, published in Molecular Catalysis (2025).
🌍 Impact and Influence
With over 3,247 citations across 23 high-impact publications, including a landmark article in Nature Materials with 2,339 citations, Prof. Alves’ research significantly influences both academia and industry. His innovations have led to three patents and successful technology transfer for real-world applications in sensing and pollution control. Moreover, he has trained over 15 graduate students, shaping the next generation of material scientists.
🏛 Academic Cites & Recognitions
He holds the CNPq Research Productivity Fellowship (PQ-2) and is widely recognized for his scholarly impact, with over 3,200 citations on research platforms. His work has appeared in top-tier journals such as Nature Materials and Molecular Catalysis, supported by international collaborations that amplify his global academic footprint.
🛠 Technical Skills
Prof. Alves is highly skilled in nanomaterial synthesis (including graphene oxide and metal nanoparticles), semiconductor characterization techniques like XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, and FTIR, electrochemical analysis for supercapacitors and catalysts, sensor fabrication, and testing, as well as photocatalytic degradation processes.
👨🏫 Teaching Experience
A passionate educator, Prof. Alves has supervised 6 Master’s and 3 Ph.D. students, integrating real-world research challenges into the classroom. His mentorship promotes both scientific inquiry and practical application, enhancing the academic ecosystem at UFMS.
🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions
Prof. Alves is committed to advancing sustainable technologies by bridging fundamental nanoscience with real-world energy and environmental solutions. His future work aims to develop next-gen supercapacitors, CO₂ reduction catalysts, and nanodevices for health applications, continuing to lead innovation through interdisciplinary research and international collaboration.
📖Notable Publications
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Copper particles-dispersed on graphene oxide has high faradaic efficiency to produce oxalic acid in aprotic medium
Authors: Bruna Soares dos Reis Aranha; Fabiana Pereira de Sousa; Alem-Mar Bernardes Goncalves; Gilberto Maia; Diego Carvalho Barbosa Alves
Journal: Molecular Catalysis
Year: 2025
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Miniaturized 3D-Printed Cell Enables Water/Ethanol Quantification Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Pablo A. Paixao; Flávio S. Michels; Samuel L. Oliveira; Alem-Mar B. Goncalves; Cauê A. Martins; Anderson R. L. Caires; Diego C. B. Alves
Journal: Sensors
Year: 2023
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Ultrabroadband Nanocavity of Hyperbolic Phonon-Polaritons in 1D-Like alpha-MoO3
Authors: Ingrid D. Barcelos; Thalita A. Canassa; Rafael A. Mayer; Flavio H. Feres; Eynara G. de Oliveira; Alem-Mar B. Goncalves; Hans A. Bechtel; Raul O. Freitas; Francisco C. B. Maia; Diego C. B. Alves
Journal: ACS Photonics
Year: 2021
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Effective killing of bacteria under blue-light irradiation promoted by green synthesized silver nanoparticles loaded on reduced graphene oxide sheets
Authors: Cynthia S. A. Caires; Luiz A. S. Farias; Luiz E. Gomes; Bruno P. Pinto; Daniel A. Goncalves; Luiz F. Zagonel; Valter A. Nascimento; Diego C. B. Alves; Ian Colbeck; Corinne Whitby
Journal: Materials Science and Engineering: C
Year: 2020
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Production of oxalic acid by electrochemical reduction of CO₂ using silver-carbon material from babassu coconut mesocarp
Authors: Rubens S. Costa; Bruna S. R. Aranha; Anupama Ghosh; Anderson O. Lobo; Everson T. S. G. da Silva; Diego C. B. Alves; Bartolomeu C. Viana
Journal: Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids
Year: 2020