Pioneering graphene-derived nanomaterials for novel electronics applications

Graphene process engineering for 2D materials, advanced metrology and device-ready platforms.

PhD in Engineering and Electronic Engineer working across CVD graphene, twisted bilayer graphene, graphene/carbon quantum dots, cleanroom workflows, advanced metrology, simulation, AI-assisted analysis and technical reporting.

Explore research atlas Download PDF CV Open web CV

Professional positioning

Full graphene value chain profile for R&D, foundry, metrology and device integration roles.

I work across the chain from CVD growth, transfer, heterostructure assembly and cleanroom patterning to device integration, characterization, data interpretation and results dissemination. My materials portfolio includes CVD graphene, TBLG, GQDs, CQDs, graphene foams, graphene/metal nanohybrids and 2D heterostructures such as MoS2- and YIG-related stacks.

Target fit

Graphene R&D · Process development · Wafer/device integration · Advanced metrology · Quality/failure analysis

Industry value

I connect process variables, defects, contamination, interfaces and spectroscopy/microscopy data to identify device-relevant performance issues and optimize reproducible workflows.

Research value

I translate graphene-derived nanomaterials into sensing, spintronic, neuromorphic, optoelectronic and electrochemical applications.

Methods

Raman, SEM, AFM, STM/STS, HRTEM, STEM-HAADF, EELS, XPS, UV-Vis, FTIR, electrochemistry, TDDFT/DFT and Python workflows.

About me

From graphene growth to device-ready nanomaterials.

Graphene-derived nanomaterials

My research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing innovative graphene-derived nanomaterials, primarily using CVD graphene as a starting point. These materials show potential in water contaminant degradation, fluorescence-based ion detection, efficient photoanodes and electrochemical glucose sensing.

Twisted bilayer graphene

I developed twisted bilayer graphene from CVD graphene on Cu substrates using substrate chemical attack, enabling control over electronic properties through rotation-angle-dependent structures.

CQDs, GQDs and nanohybrids

My work includes direct ethanol electrooxidation on Ni foam electrodes, yielding ultra-small CQDs around 2.8 nm rich in oxygenated groups for light-assisted dye degradation. Electrochemical exfoliation of 3D graphene on Ni foams produces GQDs with confined electrons, UV-Visible absorption and emission. Functionalized GQDs enable Hg2+ and Fe3+ sensing in water and wine, and they act as reducing agents for Au/Pt graphene nanohybrids used in electrocatalysis and glucose detection.

Modeling and advanced characterization

I use TDDFT/DFT models to simulate GQD optoelectronic properties, emission, absorbance and quantum confinement. The materials are characterized with advanced techniques such as HRTEM, EELS and STEM-HAADF to understand size, nanostructure and composition.

Research atlas

Explore the research atlas.

Use the search bar to find projects by material, technique, device, facility or keyword. You can also select a topic button to narrow the cards, or choose “All” to reset the view.

8 cards shown

CVD graphene · Process

Growth, transfer and stack preparation

Cu-foil and Ni-foam CVD graphene routes used as platforms for TBLG, GQDs/CQDs, graphene-metal nanohybrids and device-oriented workflows.

TBLG · Electronic structure

Twisted bilayer graphene

TBLG synthesis/transfer protocols from CVD graphene on Cu through substrate chemical attack, targeting rotation-angle-dependent electronic tuning.

GQDs/CQDs · Sensing

Fluorescent quantum dots

Functional GQDs and CQDs for Hg2+/Fe3+ detection, water/wine analysis, dye photodegradation, optical response and confined-electron behavior.

Devices · Electrochemistry

Graphene-metal nanohybrids

Au/Pt graphene nanohybrids and core-shell systems for electrocatalysis, non-enzymatic glucose detection and electroactive platforms.

Device integration · 2D stacks

Hall-bar and heterostructure workflows

Exposure to graphene/YIG stacks, MoS2-related integration, Hall-bar/GFET-oriented layouts, sputtering, ion milling and direct-write lithography.

Metrology · Failure analysis

Advanced characterization feedback

Raman, SEM, AFM, STM/STS, HRTEM, STEM-HAADF, EELS, XPS, UV-Vis and FTIR used to diagnose defects, interfaces, crystallinity and reproducibility.

Simulation · AI workflow

DFT/TDDFT and Python analysis

Computational workflows to simulate GQD absorption/emission, interpret quantum confinement, compare with spectroscopy and guide material design.

EU projects · Facilities

ULTIMATE-I, MELON and ELECMI campaigns

H2020 MSCA-RISE work on graphene-based quantum materials and advanced sensing, plus competitive ELECMI accesses for TEM-EELS and UHV JT-STM/STS.

Professional experience

Research, process development and teaching timeline.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Early Researcher, H2020 MSCA-RISE

INMA (CSIC/UNIZAR), Zaragoza, Spain. Graphene/device integration for ULTIMATE-I and MELON, combining graphene-based nanomaterials and heterostructures with MoS2 and YIG, cleanroom processing, sputtering, ion milling, Hall-bar/GFET-oriented workflows, Raman, SEM, STM/STS, HRTEM, STEM-HAADF, EELS, XPS, UV-Vis and FTIR feedback.

Doctoral Research Fellow — Graphene-Derived Nanomaterials & Devices

INIFTA (CONICET-UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina. Designed, assembled, maintained and operated custom CVD equipment; developed CVD graphene, TBLG, GQDs, CQDs and graphene/metal nanohybrids; worked on sensing, photoanodes, photodegradation, electrocatalysis, glucose detection and TDDFT/DFT/Python workflows.

H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie RISE Secondment

Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain. Advanced characterization of graphene nanostructures using HRTEM and EELS; synthesis/characterization of GQDs; development of transfer and cleaning procedures for ultra-clean graphene surfaces.

Teaching Assistant — Summer School

Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Graphene and Others — Production, Properties and Applications.

Teaching Assistant — Nanotechnology & Nanomaterials

Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Teaching support, student guidance and educational material for nanotechnology and nanomaterials courses.

Visiting Researcher

INFIQC, Córdoba, Argentina. XPS and Raman characterization of graphene nanostructures.

Research Intern

INIFTA, La Plata, Argentina. Research projects in nanomaterials and electronics.

Summer Intern

Instituto Balseiro, Bariloche, Argentina. Photonic and microwave device design.

Research, projects and publications

Selected peer-reviewed outputs and graphene-oriented work.

9 publications shown

2024 · Journal of Physical Chemistry C

Stacking-Configuration-Preserved Graphene Quantum Dots Electrochemically Obtained from CVD Graphene

Barrionuevo, S. D.; Fioravanti, F.; Nuñez, J. M.; Muñeton Arboleda, D.; Lacconi, G. I.; Bellino, M. G.; Aguirre, M. H.; Ibañez, F. J. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.3c06871.

2023 · Talanta Open

Highly Selective and Sensitive Fluorescent Determination of Fe3+ within Alcoholic Beverages with 1,5-Diphenylcarbazone-Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots

Llaver, M.; Barrionuevo, S. D.; Troiani, H.; Wuilloud, R. G.; Ibañez, F. J. DOI: 10.1016/j.talo.2023.100202.

2023 · Journal of Materials Chemistry C

Efficient Generation of Highly Crystalline Carbon Quantum Dots via Electrooxidation of Ethanol for Rapid Photodegradation of Organic Dyes

Barrionuevo, S. D.; Fioravanti, F.; Nuñez, J. M.; Llaver, M.; Aguirre, M. H.; Bellino, M. G.; Lacconi, G. I.; Ibañez, F. J. DOI: 10.1039/D3TC01774E.

2022 · Journal of Chemical Education

Think Outside the Lab: Modeling Graphene Quantum Dots in Pandemic Times

Melia, L. F.; Barrionuevo, S. D.; Ibañez, F. J. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00879.

2022 · Analytica Chimica Acta

Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots Obtained from Graphene Foams Used for Highly Selective Detection of Hg2+ in Real Samples

Llaver, M.; Barrionuevo, S. D.; Prieto, E.; Wuilloud, R. G.; Ibañez, F. J. DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340422.

2021 · ACS Applied Nano Materials

Graphene and Carbon Dots for Photoanodes with Enhanced Performance

Messina, M. M.; Barrionuevo, S. D.; Coustet, M. E.; Kreuzer, M. P.; Saccone, F. D.; dos Santos Claro, P. C.; Ibañez, F. J. DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.1c01295.

2019 · Materials Chemistry and Physics

Water-Graphene Environment Modulated by Coupled Nanopore Interplay

Gimenez, R.; Barrionuevo, S. D.; Berli, C. L. A.; Ibañez, F. J.; Bellino, M. G. DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2019.05.005.

2024 · Environmental Science: Nano

Fluorescent Graphene Quantum Dots-Enhanced Machine Learning for Accurate Detection and Quantification of Hg2+ and Fe3+ in Real Water Samples

Llaver, M.; Barrionuevo, S. D.; Nuñez, J. M. M.; Chapana, A.; Wuilloud, R. G.; Aguirre, M. H.; Ibañez, F. J. DOI: 10.1039/D3EN00702B.

2025 · Chemistry — A European Journal

Graphene Quantum Dots Drive Spontaneous Metal Reduction to Form Stable and Electroactive Core-Shell Nanocolloids

Ventre, J.; Barrionuevo, S. D.; Nuñez, J. M.; Renna, A.; Aguirre, M. H.; Bellino, M. G.; Ibañez, F. J. DOI: 10.1002/chem.202501997.

More information: Google Scholar profile.

Education

  • Doctorate in Engineering, Materials Engineering — Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina. PhD awarded Jul. 2024. Thesis: TBLG, GQDs and graphene-metal nanohybrids for advanced applications.
  • Electronic Engineering — Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, 2017.
  • Electronic Technician — Technical High School EPT No. 748, Trelew, Argentina, 2011.
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, Python for Data Science, AI & Development, R Data Analysis and AI-assisted simulation/scientific software workflows.
  • Machine Learning Specialization, Stanford University, 2024.
  • Languages: Spanish native; English professional working proficiency.

Skills and expertise

Graphene-derived nanomaterialsCVD synthesis2D materialsTBLGGQDs/CQDsCleanroom processingDirect-write photolithographySputteringIon millingHall-bar/GFET layoutsRamanSEM/AFMHRTEMSTEM-HAADF/EELSSTM/STSXPSUV-Vis/FTIRElectrochemistryPythonMATLABC/C++ORCAQuantum ESPRESSOTDDFT/DFTData analysisDoE-aware planningRoot-cause analysisTechnical reportingProject managementTeam leadershipInnovation

Achievements

I have produced nanomaterials for electronic, environmental and analytical challenges using nanotechnology. I developed synthesis and characterization routes for graphene, TBLG, GQDs, CQDs and nanohybrids, contributing to device-oriented graphene materials and precise control over structure-property relationships.

Selected projects, funding and impact

  • ULTIMATE-I H2020 MSCA-RISE: graphene-based quantum materials, device integration and advanced sensing systems.
  • MELON H2020 MSCA-RISE: ultra-clean graphene layers and hybrid Au/Pt-graphene nanostructures for sensing/electrochemical platforms.
  • ELECMI facility campaigns: TEM-EELS using NEOARM cFEG TEM at CCiT-UB and low-temperature UHV JT-STM/STS at LMA Zaragoza.
  • National funding and awards: CONICET doctoral fellowship, CONICET postdoctoral fellowship, PICT/FONCYT/ANPCyT projects, INNOVAR 2017 and PREMIOS INNOVACION UNLP 2017.

Contact

Available for graphene R&D, process engineering, advanced metrology and device-integration opportunities.

[email protected] [email protected] LinkedIn ORCID

Zaragoza, Spain · +34 666 788 608 · drsantiagobarrionuevo.com