Ricardo Santamaría Ramírez
Ricardo Santamaría Ramírez is a Senior Research Scientist at the Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Carbono (INCAR-CSIC). He obtained a degree in Chemical Sciences at the Universidad de Alicante in 1986, and completed a PhD in the Inorganic Chemistry department of the same university in 1992. His thesis explored the pyrolysis mechanisms of various petroleum residues. During his PhD, he completed a 10-month research period at Newcastle University (UK). Between 1992 and 1995, he worked in the Centro de Investigación de REPSOL (REPSOL Research Centre) in Cartagena, Spain. He then joined INCAR-CSIC, where he obtained the position of Research Scientist in 2002. His research relates to the development of carbon materials such as fibres, composite materials, forms of activated carbon and graphene for a variety of applications, both in structures and electrochemical energy-storage systems. He has participated in over 65 research projects and private-sector contracts, in most cases as group leader. He has published more than 135 articles in international academic journals and has supervised seven PhD theses.
Calle Francisco Pintado Fe 26,
33011, Oviedo, Spain.
| Name | Organisation | Activity | Euraxess classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Álvarez Rodríguez, Patricia | CSIC | Research | R3 |
| Barreda García, Daniel | CSIC | Research | CLASSIFICATION NOT AVAILABLE |
| Blanco Rodríguez, Clara | CSIC | Research | R3 |
| Concheso Álvarez, Alejandro | CSIC | Research | R2 |
| García Alcalde, Laura del Carmen | CSIC | Research | R1 |
| García Rocha, Victoria | CSIC | Research | R3 |
| González Arias, Zoraida | CSIC | Research | R2 |
| Granda Ferreira, Marcos | CSIC | Research/Teaching | R3 |
| Quintanal Mera, Noemí | CSIC | Research | R1 |
| Santamaría Ramírez, Ricardo | CSIC | Research | R4 |
| Blanco Velasco, Patricia | CSIC | Research | No classification |
| Vigil Laruelo, Adrián | CSIC | Research | No classification |
The Composite Materials Group was formed in 1990 by Dr Rosa Menéndez, building upon her previous experience in the characterisation and behaviour of coal-tar pitch and petroleum pitch .
The group’s scientific work focuses primarily on the preparation of carbon precursors and materials, using coal and petroleum derivatives, for a range of conventional (aluminium and steel sector) and advanced (energy storage, materials for extreme conditions, fine chemistry and the environment, biomedicine) applications. Collaboration with research groups from other technology centres, public research organisations, universities and companies from various sectors is vital to our work, due to its multidisciplinary, applied nature.
The group’s main lines of research are as follows: (i) high-density carbon materials (fibres, graphites and composite materials); (ii) carbon materials for electrochemical energy storage systems (supercondensers and vanadium redox flow batteries) (iii) nanomaterials (functionalised graphenes and nanotubes). Additionally, the group works on developing products and processes in partnership with the petrochemical and coal-based chemical industries, and on developing new carbon materials in collaboration with the aeronautics industry.
Carbon materials for electrochemical applications
The study and development of carbon materials that improve upon the current performance of electrodes in electrochemical systems, such as supercondensers, vanadium redox flow batteries and capacitive deionisation cells for desalination. This research includes exploration of the mechanisms involved in each process, so as to optimise the most suitable carbon materials, as well as the creation of prototypes that enable systems to be evaluated by simulating actual operating conditions as closely as possible.
Synthesis and applications of graphene
The purpose of this research is to gain greater understanding of how the source graphite and the experimental parameters of the chemical process for producing graphene-based materials affect the characteristics of the resulting products, our ultimate objective being to design graphene-based materials that have the desired characteristics for specific applications. Some of the most noteworthy applications under study include the use of such materials in electrochemical applications, catalysis, image identification systems, composite materials with advanced heat dissipation qualities, and sensors, as well as substrates for cell growth. These studies were conducted in partnership with clinicians from the Instituto Oftalmológico Fernández Vega (Fernández Vega Ophthalmology Institute).
- Ortega, P.F.R., dos Santos, G.A., Montoro, L.A., Silva, G.G., Blanco, C., Santamaría, R., Lavall, R.L. “LiFePO4/mesoporous carbon hybrid supercapacitor based on LiTFSI/Imidazolium ionic liquid electrolyte” The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 122, 1456-1465, 2018 (I.F.: 4.484, Q1)
- Ortega, P.F.R., de Paula, F.G.F., de Castro, M.C.M., Binatti, I., González, Z. Blanco, C., Santamaría, R., Lavall, R.L. “Mechanism and Stability of a Redox Supercapacitor Based on Methylene Blue: Effects of Degradation of the Redox Shuttle” ACS Applied Energy Materials, 1, 2306-23016, 2018 (new journal in 2018)
- Wiench P., González Z., Menéndez R., Grzyb B., Gryglewicz G. “Beneficial impact of oxygen on the electrochemical performance of dopamine sensors based on N-doped reduced graphene oxides” Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical, 257, 143-153, 2018 (I.F.: 5.667; Q1)
- Ortega, P.F.R., González, Z., Blanco, C., Lavall, R.L., Silva, G.G., Santamaría, R. “Biliquid supercapacitors: a simple and new strategy to enhance energy density in asymmetric/hybrid devices”, Electrochimica Acta, 254, 384-392, 2017 (I.F.: 5.116; Q1).
- Barreda, D., Pérez-Mas, A.M., Silvestre-Albero, A., Casco, M.E., Rudić, S., Herdes, C., Müller, E.A., Blanco, C., Santamaria, R., Silvestre-Albero, J., Rodríguez-Reinoso, F. “Unusual flexibility of mesophase pitch-derived carbon materials: An approach to the synthesis of graphene”, Carbon, 115, 539-545, 2017 (I.F.: 7.082; Q1).
- Miniach, E., Śliwak, A., Moyseowicz, A., Fernández-García, L., González, Z., Granda, M., Menendez, R., Gryglewicz, G. “MnO2/thermally reduced graphene oxide composites for high-voltage asymmetric supercapacitors”, Electrochimica Acta, 240, 53-62, 2017 (I.F.: 5.116; Q1).
- González, Z., Flox, C., Blanco, C., Granda, M., Morante, J.R., Menéndez, R., Santamaría, R. “Outstanding electrochemical performance of a graphene-modified graphite felt for vanadium redox flow battery application”, Journal of Power Sources, 338, 155-162, 2017 (I.F.:945; Q1).
- Fernández-García, L., Álvarez, P., Pérez-Mas, A.M., Blanco, C., Santamaría, R., Menéndez, R., Granda, M. “Role of quinoline insoluble particles during the processing of coal tars to produce graphene materials”, Fuel, 206, 99-106, 2017 (I.F.: 4.908; Q1).
- Díaz, P., González, Z., Santamaría, R., Granda, M., Menéndez, R., Blanco, C. “Enhancing energy density of carbon-based supercapacitors using Prussian Blue modified positive electrodes”, Electrochimica Acta, 212, 848-855, 2017 (I.F.: 5.116; Q1).
- Lee, C., Han, Y.-J., Seo, Y.D., Nakabayashi, K., Miyawaki, J., Santamaría, R., Menéndez, R., Yoon, S.-H., Jang, J. “C4F8 plasma treatment as an effective route for improving rate performance of natural/synthetic graphite anodes in lithium ion batteries”, Carbon, 103, 28-35, 2017 (I.F.: 7.082; Q1).
- Blanco, M., Álvarez, P., Blanco, C., Jiménez, M.V., Fernández-Tornos, J., Pérez-Torrente, J.J., Blasco, J., Subías, G., Cuartero, V., Oro, L.A., Menéndez, R. “Effect of structural differences of carbon nanotubes and graphene based iridium-NHC materials on the hydrogen transfer catalytic activity”, Carbon, 96, 66-74, 2016 (I.F.: 7.082; Q1).
- Díez, N., Álvarez, P., Granda, M., Blanco, C., Santamaría, R., Menéndez, R. “CO2 adsorption capacity and kinetics in nitrogen-enriched activated carbon fibres prepared by different methods”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 281, 704-712, 2015 (I.F.: 6.735; Q1).
- Sierra, U., Álvarez, P., Blanco, C., Granda, M., Santamaría, R., Menéndez, R. “New alternatives to graphite for producing graphene materials”, Carbon, 93, 812-818, 2015 (I.F.: 7.082; Q1).
- Díaz, P., González, Z., Santamaría, R., Granda, M., Menéndez, R., Blanco, C. “Enhanced energy density of carbon-based supercapacitors using Cerium (III) sulphate as inorganic redox electrolyte”, Electrochimica Acta, 168, 277-284, 2015 (I.F.: 5.116; Q1).
- Álvarez, P., Blanco, C., Santamaría, R., Blanco, P., González, Z., Fernández-García, L., Sierra, U., Granda, M., Páez, A., Menéndez, R. “Tuning graphene properties by a multi-step thermal reduction process”, Carbon, 90, 160-163, 2015 (I.F.: 7.082; Q1).
- Díaz, P., González, Z., Santamaría, R., Granda, M., Menéndez, R., Blanco, C. “Optimization of a carbon-based hydrid energy storage device with cerium (III) sulfate as redox electrolyte”, Journal of Power Sources, 309, 50-55, 2016 (I.F.:945; Q1).
- Díez, N., Álvarez, P., Granda, M., Blanco, C., Santamaría, R., Menéndez, R. “A novel approach for the production of chemically activated carbon fibers”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 260, 463-468, 2015 (I.F.: 6.735; Q1).
- Roldán, S., Barreda, D., Granda, M., Menéndez, R., Santamaría, R., Blanco, C. “An approach to classification and capacitance expressions in electrochemical capacitors technology”, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 17 (2), 1084-1092, 2015 (I.F.: 3.906; Q1).
- Granda, M., Blanco, C., Alvarez, P., Patrick, J.W., Menéndez, R. “Chemicals from coal coking”, Chemical Reviews, 114 (3), 1608-1636, 2014 (I.F.: 52.613; Q1).
- Suárez, D.J., González, Z., Blanco, C., Granda, M., Menéndez, R., Santamaría, R. “Graphite felt modified with bismuth nanoparticles as negative electrode in a vanadium redox flow battery”, ChemSusChem, 7 (3), 914-918, 2014 (I.F.:411; Q1).
| Principal Investigator | Title | Funding Body | Reference No | Duration | Amount |
| Marcos Granda Ferreira | Coal liquid-based high crystalline carbons for the synthesis of graphene-based composites | EU FP7 (Research Fund for Coal and Steel, RFCS) | 1/7/2013 – 30/6/2016 | €496,165 | |
| Rosa Menéndez | Production of graphite-oxide-based graphenes of varying characteristics for polymer nanocomposites | MINECO | MAT2013-48107-C3-1-R | 01/01/2014 – 31/12/2016 | €142,857 |
| Rosa Menéndez | Coal liquid-based upgraded carbon materials for energy storage | EU H2020 (RFCS) | 01/07/2015 – 30/06/2018 | €296,746 | |
| Rosa Menéndez | Grants for research groups | Gobierno del Principado de Asturias | 2015 – 2017 | €98,400 | |
| Ricardo SantamaríaClara Blanco | Hybrid energy systems based on carbon materials with different types of electrolytes | MINECO | MAT2016-77114-R | 31/12/2016 – 30/12/2019 | €121,000 |
| Clara Blanco | Grants for research groups | Gobierno del Principado de Asturias | 2018 – 2020 | €141,597 |
| Lead Researcher | Title | Private-sector funding | Duration | Amount |
| Rosa Menéndez | Preparation and characterisation of graphenes and derivatives with properties suitable for biomedical applications | Industrial Química del Nalón, S.A. | 2014 – 2016 | €55,000 |
| Clara Blanco | Nanoparticles and graphene-based biomaterials and sensors for regenerative medicine | Dropsens | 2016 – 2017 | €10,890 |
| Clara Blanco | Modification of lubricants with graphene | ACCIONA Agua, S.A. | 2014 – 2015 | €10,000 |
| Clara Blanco | Characterisation of graphite strings supplied by La Farga | La Farga | 2015 – 2016 | €8,000 |
| Ricardo Santamaría | Evaluation of catalysts and additives for improving performance in waste pyrolysis processes | REPSOL | 18/9/2015 – 19/12/2016 | €121,000 |
| Ricardo Santamaría | Development of carbon materials for new applications | Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan) | 2016 – 2017 | €105,456 |
| Ricardo Santamaría | Crackability trials of petroleum residues, evaluation of additives for improving performance and characterisation of petroleum cokes | REPSOL | 13/12/2016 – 12/12/2017 | €114,708 |
| Clara Blanco | Characterisation of graphite strings supplied by La Farga | La Farga | 2016 – 2017 | €20,000 |
| Clara Blanco | Obtaining needle coke and graphite from industrial streams produced by CEPSA | CEPSA | 2018 | €121,000 |
| Ricardo Santamaría | Production of graphene-type materials from Sasol’s coal-liquids and cokes | SASOL South Africa | 01/03/2018 – 30/10/2019 | €78,000 |
| Ricardo Santamaría | Studies of thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of heavy petroleum fractions and characterisation of petroleum cokes | REPSOL | 26/10/2017 – 25/10/2018 | €108,900 |
| Ricardo Santamaría | Development and optimisation of graphene felt for new applications | Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan) | 01/09/2018 – 31/08/2019 | €30,000 |
| Ricardo Santamaría | Studying technological development in processes for thermal cracking of petroleum residues through the use of additives and characterisation of petroleum coke samples | REPSOL | 13/11/2018 – 13/03/2019 | €36,300 |
| Marcos Granda | Industrial research on producing a thermally and electrically conductive material using advanced cementitious and carbonaceous materials | Industrial Química del Nalón | 01/01/2018 – 31/12/2018 | €36,300 |
| Supervisors | Title | PhD Student | Organisation | Date of Viva | Honours |
| Rosa MenéndezRicardo Santamaría | A new generation of high-performance activated carbons for environmental applications | Virginia Natalia García Asenjo | Universidad de Oviedo | 2014 | |
| Rosa MenéndezMarcos Granda | Anthracene oil pitches with reduced environmental impact for the production of graphite-based materials | Juan Sutil Salas | Universidad de Oviedo | 30/6/2015 | |
| Rosa MenéndezPatricia Álvarez
|
Covalent functionalisation of carbon and graphene nanotubes for use in catalysis | Matías Blanco Fernández | Universidad de Oviedo | 30/10/2015 | |
| Rosa MenéndezPatricia Álvarez
|
Optimising the preparation of graphene-based materials by improving processing conditions and the precursor | Uriel Alejandro Sierra Gómez | Universidad de Oviedo | 18/12/2015 | |
| Clara BlancoZoraida González
|
Hybrid asymmetric supercondensers using inorganic redox species | Patricia Díaz Baizán | Universidad de Oviedo | 03/11/2016 | |
| Rosa MenéndezPatricia Álvarez
|
Optimising the structure and properties in graphene-based material design | Ana Matilde Pérez Mas | Universidad de Oviedo | 13/06/2017 | International Honours |
| Rosa MenéndezMarcos Granda | Synthesising graphene-based materials from carbon derivatives | Laura Fernández García | Universidad de Oviedo | 14/07/2017 |
A method for obtaining pregraphitic material oxide , graphene oxide or graphene from a pregraphitic material
- Inventors: R. Menéndez, P. Alvarez, U. Sierra, C. Blanco, M. Granda, R. Santamaría
- Application No: PCT/ES2014070178
- Priority Date: 12/03/2014
- Owner: CSIC
- Countries in which it applies: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Cathode for lithium batteries
- Inventors: A. Paez, J. García, J.M. Amarilla, B. Vázquez. R. Menéndez, R. Santamaría, C. Blanco, F. Calle
- Application No: 14382269.0-1359
- Priority Date: 17/07/2014
- Owner: Repsol S.A.
- Countries in which it applies: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Method for producing graphene with tunable properties through a multi-step thermal reduction process
- Inventors: A. Paez, J. García, P. Alvarez, M. Granda, C. Blanco, R. Santamaría, P. Blanco, L. Fernández, R. Menéndez, F. Calle
- Application No: 14382352.4-1355
- Priority Date: 18/09/2014
- Owner: Repsol S.A.
- Countries in which it applies: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
