Nanoscale Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Luiz Henrique Vieira, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo, Brazil

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Abstract

Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career nanoscience and nanotechnology researchers. Read Luiz Henrique Vieira's Emerging Investigator Series article ‘Advances in the direct conversion of CH₄ and CO₂ into acetic acid over bimetallic catalysts supported on H-ZSM-5’ (https://doi.org/10.1039/D5NH00496A) and read more about him in the interview below.

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Dr Luiz Henrique Vieira is an assistant professor at the São Carlos Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo (IQSC/USP), Brazil. He received his BSc (2012), MSc (2014) and PhD in chemistry (2018) from the Institute of Chemistry at São Paulo State University – UNESP. During his doctoral studies, he also spent a research period as a visiting scholar at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, materials chemistry, and adsorption processes for sustainable chemical transformations. During his graduate studies, he worked on the development of bifunctional lamellar catalysts derived from zeolitic structures for the upgrading of renewable feedstocks into industrially relevant products. From 2018 to 2021, he was a postdoctoral researcher at IQSC/USP within the Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RCGI), a São Paulo Research Foundation and Shell initiative, where he developed catalytic systems for the conversion of CH₄, CO₂, and CO. Between 2021 and 2023, he was a researcher and visiting professor at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), working on technological trends in the biofuels sector within the Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) through the Human Resources Program (PRH). His current research focuses on the development of inorganic and hybrid organic–inorganic materials for catalytic processes and gas separation, with particular emphasis on CO₂ capture and the conversion of environmentally relevant small molecules into value-added chemicals.

Read Luiz Henrique Vieira's Emerging Investigator Series article ‘Advances in the direct conversion of CH₄ and CO₂ into acetic acid over bimetallic catalysts supported on H-ZSM-5’ (https://doi.org/10.1039/D5NH00496A) and read more about him in the interview below.

NH: Your recent Nanoscale Horizons Communication describes advances in the direct conversion of CH₄ and CO₂ into acetic acid over bimetallic catalysts supported on H-ZSM-5. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent article and where do you see your research going in future?

LHV: My research has gradually evolved from the catalytic conversion of biomass-derived molecules over zeolites to the activation and transformation of small, highly stable molecules such as CH₄, CO₂, and CO. In my early work during my MSc and PhD, I focused on zeolite-based catalysts for upgrading oxygenated compounds from biomass, exploring how the acidity and pore structure of materials influence reaction pathways and product selectivity. Over time, this interest expanded toward more fundamental challenges in heterogeneous catalysis, particularly the activation of small molecules with strong chemical bonds. This transition naturally led to studies on methane and carbon dioxide conversion, where catalyst design must combine metal functionality with the confinement and acid–base properties of zeolite frameworks. Our recent Communication in Nanoscale Horizons continues this trajectory, demonstrating that tailored bimetallic sites supported on zeolite can promote the direct conversion of CH₄ and CO₂ into acetic acid by tuning the acid–base and electronic properties of the catalyst. Looking ahead, I see my research moving toward the design of well-defined catalytic sites, such as single atoms or cooperative multi-site systems, combined with advanced in situ and operando characterization to better understand and control the activation of small molecules and enable more efficient catalytic routes for carbon utilization and sustainable chemical production.

NH: How do you feel about Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish research on this topic?

LHV: I consider Nanoscale Horizons an excellent venue for publishing research on heterogeneous catalysis for the conversion of small molecules, as the journal highlights innovative nanoscale concepts and emerging ideas, providing high visibility to studies that connect nanoscale catalyst design, advanced characterization, and catalytic function in energy- and sustainability-relevant transformations.

NH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?

LHV: I am particularly excited about the possibilities for integrating CO₂ capture with catalytic conversion. One direction we are exploring is the development of materials capable of efficiently adsorbing CO₂ and coupling this step with catalytic processes that transform the captured molecule into value-added chemicals. In this context, an interesting challenge is designing systems where the adsorbed CO₂ can react with other molecules such as H₂ or CH₄, enabling more integrated strategies for carbon utilization. From the catalytic perspective, I am especially interested in understanding how different types of active sites control these transformations. In particular, we are investigating how single-atom catalysts operate compared to conventional metal nanoparticles. Isolated metal atoms provide an opportunity to maximize atomic efficiency and create well-defined catalytic environments, which may offer greater control over reaction pathways and product selectivity.

NH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?

LHV: In my opinion, key questions include how to stabilize isolated catalytic sites under realistic reaction conditions, how their coordination environment and interaction with the support determine the activation of reactants and reaction intermediates, how catalyst structures dynamically evolve during operation, and how these factors ultimately control activity, selectivity, and long-term stability in processes involving small-molecule activation.

NH: What do you find most challenging about your research?

LHV: One of the most challenging aspects of my research is dealing with the inherent complexity of heterogeneous catalytic systems. These materials often contain multiple types of surface sites that may contribute differently to the overall catalytic behavior, making it difficult to determine which structures are truly responsible for the observed reactivity. Another difficulty lies in connecting insights obtained from controlled experimental studies with the conditions required for practical catalytic processes. Bridging this gap requires combining careful catalyst design, advanced characterization, and catalytic testing in a consistent way. Although this integration can be challenging, it is essential for transforming fundamental understanding into more efficient catalytic materials and processes.

NH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?

LHV: I regularly participate in catalysis and materials chemistry conferences in Brazil and internationally. In the coming year, readers may meet me at major catalysis meetings in Latin America and potentially at international events focused on sustainable catalysis and CO₂ valorization.

NH: How do you spend your spare time?

LHV: Outside the laboratory, I enjoy practicing sports, volleyball is definitely my favorite. It helps me disconnect from the intensity of academic life while still keeping a sense of strategy and teamwork. I am also a big fan of comics, graphic novels, and manga, as well as video games. Although my academic routine has gradually turned me more into a collector than an active reader or player, I still deeply appreciate storytelling, world-building, and the creativity behind these media. I think this long-standing interest in complex fictional universes connects, in a way, with my scientific curiosity, both are about exploring systems, interactions, and hidden mechanisms. Balancing research with these personal passions helps me maintain perspective and creativity, even when time is limited.

NH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?

LHV: One important piece of advice is to be resilient. Building a scientific career can be challenging, with uncertainties related to funding, career stability, and the competitive nature of academia. Progress in research is rarely linear, and many things simply do not work as expected. Learning to deal with setbacks, maintaining curiosity, and staying focused on the broader scientific questions are essential for navigating these challenges and continuing to grow as a scientist.

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