Diego Morais Chaves

Diego Morais Chaves is a Researcher at the University of Minho, Portugal, working with the InnoFiber Research Group (2C2T) on sustainable textile materials. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher (2022-2024) and Collaborative Researcher at the Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil (2021-2022). His expertise spans natural fiber processing, catalysis, and biomass valorization for circular economy applications in textiles.

Education:

• Post-doctorate in Materials Engineering - Textiles, University of Minho (2023-2024)
• D.Sc. in Agrochemistry (Inorganic Chemistry - Catalysis), Federal University of Viçosa (2016-2020)
• M.Sc. in Agrochemistry (Catalysis), Federal University of Viçosa (2014-2016)
• B.Sc. in Chemistry, Federal University of Viçosa - Campus Florestal (2009-2013)

Chaves specializes in Textile Engineering and Sustainable Materials, with focus on natural fiber extraction (pineapple, banana), catalytic biomass conversion, and circular economy solutions. His work bridges advanced material science and chemical engineering to transform agricultural waste into high-value textile resources, emphasizing environmental sustainability and industrial applicability.

His publication portfolio reveals strong trends in sustainable textiles and biomass conversion, particularly in natural fiber characterization, cellulignin production for biofuels, and catalytic furfural synthesis. Key interdisciplinary themes include lignocellulosic biomass valorization, catalyst reusability, and process optimization for textile circularity, demonstrating consistent innovation from fundamental catalysis to applied textile engineering.

Scientific distinctions:

• ABRAFATI Science in Paints Award (2017)
• Postdoctoral Scholarship by University of Minho (2023)
• Doctoral Scholarship by CAPES (2016)
• Master's Scholarship by CAPES (2014)
• Honor to Merit by Brazilian Chemical Society (2013)

Chaves has supervised master's and undergraduate students during his postdoctoral period at MCDALab, co-orienting a Master's thesis on NbOPO₄.nH₂O catalyst reuse. His research is supported by major grants including Portugal's Be@t PRR project (Bioeconomy at Textiles) and Brazilian agencies (CAPES, CNPq, FAPEMIG) for biomass valorization initiatives.

He actively contributes to the InnoFiber Research Group at the Center for Science and Textile Technology (2C2T), developing sustainable fiber processing techniques under the Be@t project to enhance circular economy practices in Portugal's textile industry through agricultural waste valorization.