Currently residing overseas, Pedro is a professor at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Prior to this, he was a faculty member at the Chemistry Institute of the University of São Paulo. He holds two master’s degrees in chemistry, one from the Federal University of Paraná and the other from the University of Washington in the United States. He also earned his doctorate in biomedical engineering from the latter institution. His post-doctoral fellowship was completed at the University of São Paulo. Pedro’s research focuses on the efficiency of chemical transformations, a process that is fundamental to the creation of most consumer products. His studies explore nanoparticles, the properties of which can be adjusted and manipulated to enhance the energy efficiency of chemical transformation processes. Despite living abroad, Pedro maintains his Brazilian roots, expressing his love for cooking and his unwavering support for his favorite soccer team, São Paulo.
Pedro Henrique Cury Camargo
Chemistry, Engineering
Projects
The catalytic properties of metallic nanomaterials are intrinsically tied to their shape, size, composition, and structure. As such, synthesizing nanoparticles with manipulable parameters allows for the optimization of these properties. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) excitation in silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanomaterials can be harnessed to expedite and regulate chemical transformations. We hypothesize that by merging physicochemical control in catalytic nanoparticles with the optical properties derived from SPR excitation, we can create systems capable of surpassing the constraints of traditional photocatalysts in converting solar energy into chemical energy. Consequently, our objective is to develop plasmonic-catalytic nanomaterials that combine physicochemical control and visible-region optical properties. This endeavor aims to yield a novel class of nanocatalysts with the potential to facilitate more sustainable chemical transformations.
