Members

Group Leader

Professor Sandra Cruz

Associate Professor at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), in the Department of Chemistry, in the field of Physical Chemistry. Coordinator of the Research Group on Polymer Recycling and Modification.

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Postdoctoral Researchers

Jéssica Fernanda Ferreira

Multifunctional polymeric and silver-based semiconductor films modified by plasma: a strategy for the production of biocidal materials with controlled permeability.

Funding institution: FAPESP

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Robert da Silva Paiva

Graduated in Chemistry with an emphasis on Technological Chemistry (2018) and obtained a Master’s degree (2021) in Chemistry from UFSCar. Completed a PhD (2025) in the same programme under a cotutelle agreement with the University of Zaragoza – Spain. Has experience in the field of Chemistry, particularly in polymers, recycling, and plasma surface modification, aiming at improving the barrier properties of these materials for applications in food packaging.

Collaboration: Cristina Nerín.

Funding institution: CNPq

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Priscila Vedovello

Graduated in Chemistry from UFSCar (2014), with a Master’s degree (2017) and a PhD (2023) in the same programme. Currently works on the recycling of polyamide/elastane-based textile industry waste for the evaluation of organometallic compounds.

Funding institution: EMBRAPII

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Jessica Caroline Ferreira Gimenez

Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry Education from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) (2018), with a dual degree through the International Licentiate Program (PLI – 2013–2015) funded by CAPES, in partnership with the University of Coimbra (Portugal). She earned her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry of Polymers from UFSCar, with a cotutelle at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) in Canada. Her current research focuses on the recycling of polyamide (PA)- and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based polymeric materials from marine environments, the evaluation of simulated environmental conditions, the compatibilization of polymer blends using a titanium-based coordination

complex, and the study of impacts associated with microplastic formation.

Collaboration: Lucas Staffa

Funding institution: Capes

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Fiama Martins

Holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry Education (2017) and a Master's degree in Chemistry (2019) from the Federal Institute of Maranhão (IFMA), and a Ph.D. in Chemistry (2023) from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). Her research focuses on the use of organometallic compounds in the recycling of mixed marine wastes composed of polyamide and polyester, aiming at the sustainable reuse of plastic materials that are difficult to process. Additionally, she has experience in drug delivery systems and in the use of natural polymers for biomedical applications.

Collaboration: Lucas Staffa

Funding institution: CNPq

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Doctoral

Graziela Solferini Baccarin

Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (2021), obtained a Master’s degree (2023), and is currently a PhD student in Chemistry at UFSCar. Currently works on the recycling of PA6 and elastane fabric, as well as plasma modification of this material to create a functional fabric with bactericidal properties.

Funding institution: FAPESP

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Jessica Caroline Ferreira Gimenez

Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry Education from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) (2018), with a dual degree through the International Licentiate Program (PLI – 2013–2015) funded by CAPES, in partnership with the University of Coimbra (Portugal). She earned her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry of Polymers from UFSCar, with a cotutelle at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) in Montreal, Canada, under the supervision of Professor Nicole R. Demarquette. Her current research focuses on the recycling of polyamide (PA)- and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based polymeric materials from marine environments, the evaluation of simulated environmental conditions, the compatibilization of polymer blends using a titanium-based coordination complex, and the study of impacts associated with microplastic formation.

Collaboration: Nicole R. Demarquette; Emna Helal; Manoel Gustavo P. Homem.

Funding institution: Capes

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Maciel Lima Barbosa

Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from UESPI (2018), obtained a Master’s degree from UESPI (2021), and is currently a PhD student at UFSCar. His work involves the preparation by casting and modification of biopolymer films based on onion and bacterial cellulose using laponite clay and cold oxygen plasma.

Collaboration: Hernane da Silva Barud; Cristina Nerín.

Funding institution: MAI/DAI_CNPq e Capes

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Isabelly Bertochi Veroneze

Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (2022) and obtained a Master’s degree (2025) from UFSCar. Currently works on the recycling of polyamide/elastane-based textile industry waste for the evaluation of organometallic compounds. Additionally, has experience with recycled polymers for food contact, biopolymer-based composites for application as biomaterials, and thermal and rheological analyses.

Funding institution: FAPESP

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Driely da Silva Lima

Graduated in Chemistry (2023) and obtained a Master’s degree in Chemistry (2025) from UNESP. Currently at UFSCar, conducting research focused on the recycling of polyamide- and polyester-based textile waste using coordination compounds.

Funding institution: MAI/DAI_CNPq

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Masters

Sophia Helena Felisbino Bonatti

Graduated in Chemistry from UFSCar (2024) and currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the same institution. Works with fluidised bed systems to promote the decontamination of post-consumer polypropylene, aiming to develop a recycling process for materials intended for food contact. Additionally, has experience with polymer nanocomposites, polymer photodegradation, and polymer processing by melt extrusion.

Funding institution: FAPESP

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Vanessa Moura Bispo

Works on the development of a new wearable biosensor based on bacterial cellulose and laponite, functionalised with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for monitoring pathogens in hospital environments. Has experience in computational quantum chemistry and drug design.

Funding institution: MAI/DAI_CNPq

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Amanda Lages

Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry Education from the State University of Piauí (UESPI) in 2025. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), where she conducts research focused on the recycling of polyamide 6, both in its pure form and in dyed fabrics, using carbodiimide-based chain extenders.

Funding institution: CAPES

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Scientific Initiation

Giovanni Fonseca de Souza

His current research project involves investigating the effect of the glass transition temperature on the photodegradation of polypropylene using UV-C radiation.

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Habner Antonio da Silva

His project proposes the development of wearable optical biosensors based on cellulose-laponite nanocomposites, exploring their mechanical properties, versatility, and biocompatibility. These devices, functionalised with gold nanoparticles synthesised by plasma jet and coated with aptamers, aim for the selective recognition and detection of pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Instituição financiadora: IT_CNPq

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Maria Luiza Gouvêa

Her project investigates the influence of the variation in the molar mass of carbodiimide on the recycling of polyamide 6 (PA6), in which CDI acts as a chain extender, aiming to address issues related to degradative processes during recycling.

Funding institution: FAPESP

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Enrico Pilon Santaella

His project involves the recycling of PA6/EL with organometallic additives and the UV-C degradation of polymers around their glass transition temperature (Tg).

Funding institution: IT_CNPq