Current Research
- Nano/micro material synthesis in ionic liquids
- Fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass using ionic liquids
- Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) using ionic liquids
- Synthesis and characterisation of protic ionic liquids
- Corrosion behaviour of metallic materials exposed to ionic liquids
Previous research
2008 Universidad Simón Bolívar
Brownian Simulations of Electrochemical Phenomena Controlled by Diffusion
Chemistry Major – Undergraduate Thesis (1 year research project) supervised by Dr. Jorge Mostany.The objective of this work was to create an algorithm (software) to perform chronoamperometric investigations. The electro-deposition phenomena were studied by generating graphs of the electric current with respect to time, using a Monte Carlo approach, to simulate the diffusion of ions in a solution. The results were successfully validated against the most widely accepted theoretical models in the electrochemical fields, such as Cottrell and Scharifker-Hills. With the software, we managed to study the formation of critical nucleus over the surface of an electrode, their distribution, their growth rates and the concentration profiles in the solution.
2006 Institut Français du Pétrole
Study of the Promoters and Kinetic Inhibitors in Gas Hydrate Formation by DSC
Chemical Engineering Major – Undergraduate Thesis (6 month research project) under the supervision and tutoring of Dr. Christine Dalmazzone (IFP), Dr. Anne Sinquin (IFP) and Dr. Aura López de Ramos (USB). Focused on perfecting the use of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) at high pressure whilst observing and documenting:The performance of kinetic inhibitors in the formation of gas hydrates in oil base mud (emulsions) used in offshore drilling operations.The properties of several surfactants in the aqueous phase (such as superficial tension, contact angle, critical micelle concentration (CMC)) and their relationship to promote gas hydrate formation.
2005 Universidad de Buenos Aires
Evaluation of the Performance of Cu-Ce Catalysers in the COPROX Process.
Summer Internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina at Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) researching the performance of binary copper-cerium catalyzers in the COPROX process (carbon monoxide preferential oxidation) tutored by Dr. Fernando Mariño (UBA), Dr. Miguel Laborde (UBA) and Dr. Fernando Morales (USB).The main purpose of this study was the evaluation of the selectivity of these catalyzers to oxidize traces of carbon monoxide in order to condition a set current of hydrogen for its later use as an energy source in fuel cells.
2004 Universidad Simón Bolívar
Physical-Chemical and Electrochemical Characterisation of the Ionic Liquid [BMIM]2[MoO2(NCS)4].
An optional academic project of 2 trimesters made in the laboratory of Electrochemistry of the Universidad Simon Bolivar in Venezuela (USB) tutored by Professor Dr. Jorge Mostany. Its objective was to interpret the theoretical and experimental results of the UV-Vis spectral data and cyclic voltametric data of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-2-methyl-imidazolium tetrathiocyanatodioxomolybdate (VI) [BMIM]2[MoO2(NCS)4] in order to contribute in the knowledge of this molecule as a potential catalyzer in industrial processes of alcohol oxidation.
publications
2018 Rapid pretreatment of: Miscanthus using the low-cost ionic liquid triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate at elevated temperatures, Green Chemistry, Vol:20, ISSN:1463-9262, Pages:3486-3498
2015 “Understanding RAM analysis and typical availability values for LNG plants”, Gas Processing, April 01, 2015.
2008 POSTER PRESENTATION "Study of the Effect of Commercial Kinetic Inhibitors on Gas Hydrate Formation by DSC: Non Classical Structures?”. 6th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, July 6-10, in Vancouver, Canada.