Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Menu Search


Trinity College Dublin By using this website you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the Trinity cookie policy. For more information on cookies see our cookie policy.

      
Profile Photo

Dr. Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco

Associate Professor (Geology)
MUSEUM BUILDING
      
Profile Photo

Dr. Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco

Associate Professor (Geology)
MUSEUM BUILDING

 rodrigjd@tcd.ie

 3531896 1691


I am an Ussher Associate Professor in Nanomineralogy. I am an experimental mineralogist, highly experienced in crystallisation and environmental geochemistry. I have a strong successful track record in quantifying natural processes in the laboratory and applying these results to illuminating natural and societally relevant processes. Currently I am building a strong research group of experts in experimental nanomineralogy and also developing very strong national and international collaborations. My goals are to develop new methods for the removal of (in)organic waste products from drinking water, to and to design more energy efficient separation and recycling methods for strategic metals and to develop new carbon capture and storage techniques. The purpose of my research is to find out how to manage resources in a way that we can preserve the quality of life that we have now into the future generations. In particular, my research is focused on the understanding of mineral nucleation and growth from solution and mineral-water interaction processes. I am using a multidisciplinary approach to understand: a) Mineral formation and its role in geochemical cycles: I study the mechanisms of crystallisation of minerals at the nanoscale in order to understand the formation processes of carbonate minerals and their relevance for carbon capture and storage, biogeochemical element cycling and biomineralisation processes. b) The interaction of common seawater ions, pollutants and organics with mineral surfaces: I aim to shed light on mineral-water reactions that can be applied to remediate polluted waters and soils, to control the mobility and to find new sources of strategic metals. In particular, I focus my work on the evaluation of the capacity of carbonates, sulphates and phosphates to remove pollutants and rare-earths from natural waters with the purpose of designing more energy efficient separation and recycling methods for strategic metals.
  AMORPHOUS SOLIDS   aqueous geochemistry   Biomineralization   carbonates   CRYSTALLIZATION   Economic Geology   ELECTRON MICROSCOPY   FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY   FOURIER-TRANSFORM SPECTROSCOPY   GEOCHEMISTRY   GEOLOGY   Karstic Geomorphogy, Karst Hydrogeology,   LANTHANIDES   MATERIALS SCIENCE   MINERALOGY   Mineralogy and crystallography   mineral-water interaction   NANOCRYSTALS   NUCLEATION   Petrology, Minerology, Geochemistry   phosphates   rare-earths   RECRYSTALLIZATION   SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY   Small Angle X-ray Scattering   sulphates   SYNCHROTRON RADIATION   TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY   Wide Angle X-ray Scattering   X-RAY DIFFRACTION
Project Title
 SEparating Critical metals ThrOugh mineRal crystallization (SEleCTOR)
From
01/09/2020
To
31/08/2024
Summary
The goal of SEleCTOR is to develop novel, clean and cheap protocols to separate rare earths from waters. We will design functionally engineered nanosized carbonates with targeted structures and surface properties that will control the selective capture of specific rare earths from water. Rare earths (e.g., lanthanum, neodymium, dysprosium) are indispensable elements for smart technology and their utilisation is a key economic indicator. However, their supply is at risk in the medium term (2020-2030) because their demand is steadily increasing and their separation requires inefficient, expensive and environmentally aggressive extraction methods. SEleCTOR aims to build a deep, fundamental understanding of how rare earths fractionate during the formation of synthetic Ca-Mg-Sr carbonate nanominerals. By manipulating basic parameters (e.g., supersaturation, Ca/Mg/Sr ratio, pH, temperature) it will be possible to design carbonate nanominerals with targeted structural and surface properties that will promote the capture of specific rare earth elements from aqueous solutions. This method will decrease water contamination and reduce Ireland's reliance on energy imports. I will combine my world-class skills in mineral-water interaction and mineral formation processes with leading knowledge in carbonate and rare earth geochemistry at Trinity College Dublin to establish a unique platform for rare earth recovery.
Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland
Programme
Frontiers for the Future
Project Type
Research project
Project Title
 TARGETing crystallisation for Enhanced Carbon Capture and Storage (TARGET-CCS)
From
01/09/2018
To
31/08/2022
Summary
This project aims to investigate the poorly understood geochemical conditions under which metastable carbonates can crystallise during the interaction of CO2-rich fluids with basaltic rocks in order to enhance their stability and maximise their capacity to store CO2.
Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
Programme
SFI Supplemental PhD funding programme to the Research Centres
Project Type
Research
Project Title
 Design of synthetic rare-earth carbonate minerals for chemical filters
From
01/09/2019
To
31/08/2023
Summary
Today, mineral-water interaction studies have become increasingly relevant to environmental problems. In particular, many studies address the use of ubiquitous minerals (e.g., gypsum, calcite) for the potential purification and removal of toxic pollutants from wastewaters. This project will evaluate the feasibility of synthetic rare-earth carbonates as green chemical filters for industry. In particular, the aims of this study are: (i) to find out the precise conditions at which rare- earth carbonates are able to remove specific (in)organic pollutants from natural waters, (ii) determine the mechanisms by which the removal of pollutants takes place, (iii) quantify the efficiency and reproducibility of the decontamination process and the course of the reaction over time. We will do this by carrying out batch experiments in which pollutants will be interacted with rare-earth carbonates while they crystallise from solution. We will test common and problematic soil pollutants: divalent and trivalent cations (e.g., Pb2+, Cr3+) and simple organics (e.g., chlorinated solvents like perchloroethene). Besides, a bonus to this project will be the use of synchrotron-based techniques to follow these reactions in situ and real time. This will allow us to obtain high-resolution kinetic data to understand the nature of the crystallisation mechanisms as well as the fate of pollutants.
Funding Agency
Trinity College Dublin
Programme
Provost Awards
Project Type
Research
Project Title
 Targeting the crystallisation of environmentally and technologically important inorganic materials by a novel hydrothermal injection process.
From
01/09/2018
To
31/08/2021
Summary
In this project we aim to explore the crystallisation of environmentally and technologically relevant materials under hydrothermal conditions using a novel "hydrothermal injection" reactor designed at TCD. This reactor system allows targeting of the nucleation and growth of specific crystalline phases by the introduction of reagents to a pre-heated, pressurised aqueous system at the exact temperature desired. Internal temperature and pressure monitoring enable precise control of the sample environment. These combined factors will facilitate a greater understanding of the relationship between the hydrothermal conditions of temperature, pressure, and time and the structure and morphology of the obtained products, giving fundamental insights into crystallisation mechanisms and pathways. Here we aim to apply this novel reactor technology to developing a deeper understanding of the hydrothermal crystallisation of important naturally occurring minerals, such as the Ca-Mg-Sr carbonates, as well as expanding on existing work on the generation of functional II-VI semiconducting nanomaterials.
Funding Agency
Trinity College Dublin
Programme
Intra-faculty TCD awards
Project Type
Research
Project Title
 MetalIntelligence Research Training Network - Project: Efficient characterisation of minerals and fabrics with the scanning electron microscope
From
01/09/2017
To
31/08/2020
Summary
This project is part of the H2020 MetalIntelligence Research Network (European Industrial Doctorates - 6 PhD students). The general objectives of this research network are: i) Training and equipping a new generation of leaders in the minerals processing field. ii) Providing lasting novel technological and training methods to build capacity and improve efficiency. iii) Undertaking innovative research across the trans-disciplinary edges of sector compartments. This specific research project ("Efficient characterisation of minerals and fabrics with the scanning electron microscope") aims at bridging the gap between industry and academia in terms of mineral and material (natural or synthetic) characterisation. SEM-EDS allows for data acquisition within a reasonable timeframe and can be also used for in situ chemical analysis, grain association and mineral liberation analysis (MLA), using AZtec software, developed by industry partner Oxford Instruments. However, distinguishing among different grains and their associations is still difficult to be satisfactorily achieved and is very time-consuming. Thus, the key objective of this project is to improve the software limitations so as to make MLA quicker and more accurate, resulting in more industry-relevant analysis turnaround.
Funding Agency
European Commission
Programme
H2020 Framework Programme
Project Type
European Industrial Doctorate

Page 1 of 3
Details Date
Assessor for funding bodies: Member of the Evaluation Panel of the Committee "Functioning of fluid and solid Earth" of the French National Research Agency (ANR, l'Agence Nationale de la Recherche). 2015-now
Assessor for funding bodies: Scientific evaluator of the HORIZON 2020 - FET-OPEN Challenging Current Thinking Research and Innovation Actions (RIA); FETOPEN-01-2018-2019-2020: FET-Open Challenging Current Thinking 2018-now
Assessor for funding bodies. Proposal evaluator for the Chilean National Science and Technology Commission. 2016
UK and Ireland Mineralogical Society representative at TCD. 2017-
Assessor for funding bodies. Proposal evaluator for the Ser Cymru II COFUND program - Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 2016
Assessor for funding bodies. Proposal evaluator for the Australian synchrotron. 2015
Graphical Advisor of the EAG international peer-reviewed journal 'Geochemical Perspectives' (www.geochemicalperspectives.org) 2013-now
Member of the Editorial Board of the journal 'Minerals' (MDPI journals) 2016-now
Member of the Editorial Board of the journal 'Crystals' (MDPI journals) 2018
Reviewer for periodical publications (on average a minimum of 15 papers/year) American Mineralogist (MSA), Applied Geochemistry (Elsevier), Applied Surface Science (Elsevier), Biogeosciences (EGU), CrystEngComm (RSC), Chemical Communications (RSC), Chemistry of Materials (ACS), Environmental Science & Technology (ACS), Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (Elsevier), Geology (GSA), Journal of Crystal Growth (Elsevier), Journal of Hazardous Materials (Elsevier), Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure (Elsevier), Materials Research Bulletin (Elsevier), Minerals (MDPI), Mineralogical Magazine (GeoScienceWorld), Nanotoxicology (Informa Healthcare), Nanoscale (RSC). 2008-now
Assessor for funding bodies. Proposal evaluator for the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). 2017
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
Spanish Fluent Fluent Fluent
Details Date From Date To
European Association of Geochemistry. Honorary Member. 2011 Now
American Chemical Society 2015 2016
Dideriksen, K. and Zhen-Wu, B.Y. and DobberschÃŒtz, S. and Rodríguez-Blanco, J.D. and Raahauge, P.J. and Ataman, E. and Oelkers, E.H. and Stipp, S.L.S., A quantitative description of barite thermodynamics, nucleation and growth for reactive transport modelling, Applied Geochemistry, (106033), 2024, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Rateau, R. and Maddin, M. and Szucs, A.M. and Terribili, L. and Drost, K. and Guyett, P.C. and Rodriguez-Blanco, J.D., Utilization of Eggshell Waste Calcite as a Sorbent for Rare Earth Element Recovery, ACS Omega, 2024, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Maddin, M. and Rateau, R. and Szucs, A.M. and Terribili, L. and Hoare, B. and Guyett, P.C. and Rodriguez-Blanco, J.D., Chemical Textures on Rare Earth Carbonates: An Experimental Approach to Mimic the Formation of BastnÀsite, Global Challenges, 2024, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Terribili, L. and Rateau, R. and Maddin, M. and Rodriguez-Blanco, J.D., The role of fluocerite in the genesis of bastnÀsite: mechanistic insights and transformation pathways, Nanoscale, 16, (27), 2024, p13183-13196 , Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Szucs A. M., Maddin M., Brien D., Rateau R., Rodriguez-Blanco J. D., The role of nanocerianite (CeO2) in the stability of Ce carbonates at low-hydrothermal conditions, RSC Advances, 13, (10), 2023, p6919 - 6935 , Notes: [https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RA00519D], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Terribili, Luca; Rateau, Remi; Szucs, Adrienn Maria; Maddin, Melanie; Rodriguez-Blanco, Juan Diego , Impact of rare earth elements on CaCO3 crystallisation: Insights into kinetics, mechanisms, and crystal morphology, Crystal Growth & Design, 2023, Journal Article, SUBMITTED
Szucs, A.M. and Maddin, M. and Brien, D. and Guyett, P.C. and Rodriguez-Blanco, J.D., Targeted Crystallization of Rare Earth Carbonate Polymorphs at Hydrothermal Conditions via Mineral Replacement Reactions, Global Challenges, 2022, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Szucs, A.M., O'Donnell, C., Davis, S., Stavropoulou, A. and Rodriguez-Blanco, J.D., How does bastnäsite form? Replacement of calcite by rare earth carbonates, 31th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Lyon, France. Online conference, 2021, 2021, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Szucs, Adrienn Maria; Stavropoulou, Alexandra; O'Donnell, Claire; Davis, Seana; Rodríguez Blanco, Juan Diego, Reaction pathways towards the formation of bastnäsite: replacement of calcite by rare earth carbonates., Crystal Growth & Design, 21, (1), 2021, p512 - 527, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Okhrimenko, D.V., Lakshtanov, L.Z., Olssonc, M.H.M., Ceccato, M., Dalby, K.N., Rodriguez-Blanco, J.D., Andersson, M.P., Stipp, S.L.S., Adsorption of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds (NHC) on soil minerals: Quinoline as an example., Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 611, 2021, p125899-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
  

Page 1 of 7
Hodson, M.E., Benning, L.G., Cinque, G., Dermachi, B., Frogley, M., Penkman, K.E.H., Rodriguez-Blanco, J.D., Schofield, P.F., Versteegh, E.A.A., Wehbe, K., Synchrotron-based micro Fourier transform infrared mapping to investigate the spatial distribution of amorphous and crystalline calcium carbonate in earthworm-secreted calcium carbonate balls., Spectroscopy Europe, 28, (3), 2016, p12 - 15, Journal Article, PUBLISHED

  


Award Date
Distinguished Lecturer 2021 - European Association of Geochemistry 2021
Distinguished Service Award (European Association of Geochemistry) 2014
Extraordinary Doctoral Award - Honorific mention, given to a PhD thesis of a graduate student I supervised (University of Oviedo) 2015
Extraordinary Award of M.Sc. - Honorific Mention. University of Oviedo (Spain) 2003
I am an experimental mineralogist, highly experienced in crystallisation and environmental geochemistry. My research focuses on mineral genesis and the interaction of aqueous species with mineral surfaces. I have a strong successful track record in the study the mechanisms of mineral nucleation and growth and the interaction of common seawater ions, pollutants and organics with mineral surfaces and their relevance to global-scale processes like biomineralisation, biogeochemical element cycling and the evolution of the global chemistry of the oceans. My main research objective is to transform the classical view of environmental mineralogy by developing novel applications in this field that will allow managing natural resources in a way that we can preserve the quality of life that we have now into the future generations. Since I started working at TCD I have been applying for funding to build a strong research group of highly-skilled experts in experimental mineralogy to fulfil this goal. All my funding applications have been successful, obtaining more than €900K as a PI in these programs: Frontiers for the Future (SFI), iCRAG PhD Recruitment Scheme (SFI), Provost PhD Awards (TCD), Intra-faculty TCD awards (TCD), Research Boost Programme (TCD). Besides, I have been principal supervisor in a EU-funded Marie Curie H2020 research training network (€530K), obtained funding to purchase equipment as a PI (Geological Survey Ireland Equipment Call 2021; €21K) and as a collaborator (SFI Research Infrastructure Programme 2021; €3.4M). This has allowed me to build a strong and motivated research group consisting (so far) of 7 PhD students (main supervisor of 5, co-supervisor of 2) and one postdoc. We work on topics like formation mechanisms of carbonate minerals for enhancing carbon capture and storage processes, design of mineral filters to decontaminate polluted waters, new green chemistry methods to separate strategic elements, and design of advanced microscopy techniques for mineral characterisation. My group also includes postgraduates from the MSc Environmental Sciences and MSc Energy sciences, as well as senior sophister students working on research projects about crystallisation, biomineral formation and carbon sequestration. Overall, my success in grant funding, research contributions, international collaborations, awards and invited talks at international conferences demonstrate my solid reputation in the fields of nanomineralogy and geochemistry.