Welcome to LAPRO

Founded in 2017, the Laboratory of Processes Applied to Water Treatment (LAPRO) is a research hub at the Center of Technology of the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), in Maceió, Brazil. The laboratory is dedicated to developing innovative chemical engineering solutions for water and wastewater treatment, with a strong focus on separation processes, environmental remediation, and the synthesis of advanced materials.

Our main areas of expertise include:

• Adsorption: Design, synthesis, and optimization of functional adsorbents for the removal of dyes, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other emerging contaminants from aqueous systems.

• Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Application of oxidative technologies for the degradation of persistent and hazardous substances in water.

• Material Synthesis: Development of nanostructured and hybrid materials, such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs), biochars, and magnetic composites, engineered for environmental applications.

• Microplastics: Investigation of the occurrence, release, detection, and treatment of microplastics in water systems, with an emphasis on environmental and health-related impacts.

LAPRO promotes interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental engineering, materials science, and sustainable technologies. Our projects are often based on the valorization of agro-industrial residues and the circular use of regional resources. We actively collaborate with national and international institutions and are committed to training the next generation of researchers and professionals equipped to tackle the global water crisis.

Explore our work and learn how we are contributing to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future through science and innovation.