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Ms. Ana Lucia Pinto
NOVA School of Science and Technology

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Photochemistry
0 Physical Chemistry
0 anthocyanins
0 Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)
0 Bioinspired compounds

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Journal article
Published: 14 May 2021 in Molecules
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A set of 3-ethynylaryl coumarin dyes with mono, bithiophenes and the fused variant, thieno [3,2-b] thiophene, as well as an alkylated benzotriazole unit were prepared and tested for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For comparison purposes, the variation of the substitution pattern at the coumarin unit was analyzed with the natural product 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin (Esculetin) as well as 5,7-dihydroxycomarin in the case of the bithiophene dye. Crucial steps for extension of the conjugated system involved Sonogashira reaction yielding highly fluorescent molecules. Spectroscopic characterization showed that the extension of conjugation via the alkynyl bridge resulted in a strong red-shift of absorption and emission spectra (in solution) of approximately 73–79 nm and 52–89 nm, respectively, relative to 6,7-dimethoxy-4-methylcoumarin (λabs = 341 nm and λem = 410 nm). Theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) is mostly centered in the cyanoacrylic anchor unit, corroborating the high intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character of the electronic transition. Photovoltaic performance evaluation reveals that the thieno [3,2-b] thiophene unit present in dye 8 leads to the best sensitizer of the set, with a conversion efficiency (η = 2.00%), best VOC (367 mV) and second best Jsc (9.28 mA·cm−2), surpassed only by dye 9b (Jsc = 10.19 mA·cm−2). This high photocurrent value can be attributed to increased donor ability of the 5,7-dimethoxy unit when compared to the 6,7 equivalent (9b).

ACS Style

João Sarrato; Ana Pinto; Gabriela Malta; Eva Röck; João Pina; João Lima; A. Parola; Paula Branco. New 3-Ethynylaryl Coumarin-Based Dyes for DSSC Applications: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties, and Theoretical Calculations. Molecules 2021, 26, 2934 .

AMA Style

João Sarrato, Ana Pinto, Gabriela Malta, Eva Röck, João Pina, João Lima, A. Parola, Paula Branco. New 3-Ethynylaryl Coumarin-Based Dyes for DSSC Applications: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties, and Theoretical Calculations. Molecules. 2021; 26 (10):2934.

Chicago/Turabian Style

João Sarrato; Ana Pinto; Gabriela Malta; Eva Röck; João Pina; João Lima; A. Parola; Paula Branco. 2021. "New 3-Ethynylaryl Coumarin-Based Dyes for DSSC Applications: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties, and Theoretical Calculations." Molecules 26, no. 10: 2934.

Journal article
Published: 06 April 2021 in Sustainable Chemistry
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Different alkali deep eutectic solvents (DES), such as LiI:nEG, NaI:nEG, and KI:nEG, have been tested as electrolytes for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These DSSCs were prepared using pure DES or, alternatively, DES combined with different amounts of iodine (I2). The most important parameters, such as open circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current density (JSC), fill factor (FF), and the overall conversion efficiency (η), were evaluated. Some DES seem to be promising candidates for DSSC applications, since they present higher VOC (up to 140 mV), similar FF values but less current density values, when compared with a reference electrolyte in the same experimental conditions. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been performed to elucidate the charge transfer and transport processes that occur in DSSCs. The values of different resistance (Ω·cm2) phenomena and recombination/relaxation time (s) for each process have been calculated. The best-performance was obtained for DES-based electrolyte, KI:EG (containing 0.5 mol% I2) showing an efficiency of 2.3%. The efficiency of this DES-based electrolyte is comparable to other literature systems, but the device stability is higher (only after seven months the performance of the device drop to 60%).

ACS Style

Hugo Cruz; Ana Pinto; Noémi Jordão; Luísa Neves; Luís Branco. Alkali Iodide Deep Eutectic Solvents as Alternative Electrolytes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. Sustainable Chemistry 2021, 2, 222 -236.

AMA Style

Hugo Cruz, Ana Pinto, Noémi Jordão, Luísa Neves, Luís Branco. Alkali Iodide Deep Eutectic Solvents as Alternative Electrolytes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. Sustainable Chemistry. 2021; 2 (2):222-236.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hugo Cruz; Ana Pinto; Noémi Jordão; Luísa Neves; Luís Branco. 2021. "Alkali Iodide Deep Eutectic Solvents as Alternative Electrolytes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells." Sustainable Chemistry 2, no. 2: 222-236.

Research article
Published: 17 June 2020 in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
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Deep eutectic solvents (DES) composed of lithium, sodium, or potassium iodide salts in suitable combination with ethylene glycol (EG), glycerol (Gly), or polyethylene glycol (PEG) have been developed. All prepared DES were characterized by thermal analysis (DSC and TGA) and its complex conductivity (σ*) and impedance (Z*) frequency were evaluated through dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). Two- and three-electrode electrochemical studies of all DES have been performed. All DES avoid crystallization, exhibiting conductivity values in a range from 10–4 to 10–2 S cm–1 at room temperature and electrochemical windows higher than 1 V (on the order of 3–4 V), fulfilling the usual suitability criteria for utilization in electrochromic devices (ECD). The most promissory DES as electrolytes were tested for ECD. Being suitable candidates for further application in batteries.

ACS Style

Hugo Cruz; Noemi Jordao; Ana Lucia Pinto; Madalena Dionisio; Luisa A. Neves; Luis C. Branco. Alkaline Iodide-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Electrochemical Applications. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Hugo Cruz, Noemi Jordao, Ana Lucia Pinto, Madalena Dionisio, Luisa A. Neves, Luis C. Branco. Alkaline Iodide-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Electrochemical Applications. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hugo Cruz; Noemi Jordao; Ana Lucia Pinto; Madalena Dionisio; Luisa A. Neves; Luis C. Branco. 2020. "Alkaline Iodide-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Electrochemical Applications." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 09 June 2020 in Solar Energy
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The pyranoanthocyanins present in red wine display great potential as photosensitizers in bio-inspired Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). Following a biomimetic approach, a series of amino-π-bridge-pyranoanthocyanin derivatives were employed as dye sensitizers in DSSCs. The dimethylamine group was selected to take advantage of its electron-donor character and the possibility of ‘dual-mode anchoring’ (OH vs. dimethylamino) to titanium dioxide. The increase in π-conjugation via insertion of CC bonds affected molecule flexibility, electron-donor ability and the pH-dependent equilibria of the pyranoanthocyanin derivatives. The current vs. potential properties of photoanodes using these dyes pointed to essential features of the relationship between power conversion efficiency and dye structure. These included the influences of the dimethylamine group, of π-conjugation and of substitution in ring B on the adsorption of the dyes to TiO2 and on the overall performance of the DSSCs prepared from them with and without added acid. An overall efficiency of 2.55% was obtained for the best performing compound, 4-(dimethylamino)-cinnamyl-pyranocyanidin-3-O-glucoside (JO3), which consolidates the importance of this family of compounds as potential dye-sensitizers for DSSC applications.

ACS Style

Ana Lucia Pinto; Hugo Cruz; Joana Oliveira; Paula Araújo; Luis Cruz; Vânia Gomes; Cassio P. Silva; Gustavo Thalmer De Medeiros Silva; Tiago Mateus; Giuseppe Calogero; Victor de Freitas; Frank Quina; Fernando Pina; A. Jorge Parola; J. Carlos Lima. Dye-sensitized solar cells based on dimethylamino-π-bridge-pyranoanthocyanin dyes. Solar Energy 2020, 206, 188 -199.

AMA Style

Ana Lucia Pinto, Hugo Cruz, Joana Oliveira, Paula Araújo, Luis Cruz, Vânia Gomes, Cassio P. Silva, Gustavo Thalmer De Medeiros Silva, Tiago Mateus, Giuseppe Calogero, Victor de Freitas, Frank Quina, Fernando Pina, A. Jorge Parola, J. Carlos Lima. Dye-sensitized solar cells based on dimethylamino-π-bridge-pyranoanthocyanin dyes. Solar Energy. 2020; 206 ():188-199.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Lucia Pinto; Hugo Cruz; Joana Oliveira; Paula Araújo; Luis Cruz; Vânia Gomes; Cassio P. Silva; Gustavo Thalmer De Medeiros Silva; Tiago Mateus; Giuseppe Calogero; Victor de Freitas; Frank Quina; Fernando Pina; A. Jorge Parola; J. Carlos Lima. 2020. "Dye-sensitized solar cells based on dimethylamino-π-bridge-pyranoanthocyanin dyes." Solar Energy 206, no. : 188-199.

Journal article
Published: 13 February 2020 in Dyes and Pigments
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The sensitization activity of four zinc metalloporphyrin dyes: meso-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)porphyrinato Zn(II) (a), meso-triphenyl-(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrinato Zn(II) (b), meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrinato Zn(II) (c) and meso-tripyridyl(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrinato Zn(II) (d) is reported here, in terms of current-potential curve, open-circuit potential, fill factor, and overall solar energy conversion efficiency which have been evaluated under 100 mW/cm2 light intensity and their performances compared to the benchmark N719 (di-tetrabutylammonium cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylato) ruthenium(II)). This work focus the structural aspects of dyes with anchoring groups using TiO2-based Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs), which includes pyridyl and carboxyphenyl acid groups and argue how the combination of both anchoring groups, in the same structure, may allow relevant optimization of DSSCs performance in the near future. Also, a noticeable improvement in the photovoltaic performance of all dyes, reaching a maximum increase from 25% to 69% in the overall DSSC efficiency under short periods of white light illumination is discussed.

ACS Style

Joana M.D. Calmeiro; Gabriel Gira; Francisco M. Ferraz; Sara Fernandes; Ana Lucia Pinto; Leandro Lourenco; João P.C. Tomé; Cláudia C.L. Pereira. Influence of the meso-substituents of zinc porphyrins in dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency with improved performance under short periods of white light illumination. Dyes and Pigments 2020, 177, 108280 .

AMA Style

Joana M.D. Calmeiro, Gabriel Gira, Francisco M. Ferraz, Sara Fernandes, Ana Lucia Pinto, Leandro Lourenco, João P.C. Tomé, Cláudia C.L. Pereira. Influence of the meso-substituents of zinc porphyrins in dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency with improved performance under short periods of white light illumination. Dyes and Pigments. 2020; 177 ():108280.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joana M.D. Calmeiro; Gabriel Gira; Francisco M. Ferraz; Sara Fernandes; Ana Lucia Pinto; Leandro Lourenco; João P.C. Tomé; Cláudia C.L. Pereira. 2020. "Influence of the meso-substituents of zinc porphyrins in dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency with improved performance under short periods of white light illumination." Dyes and Pigments 177, no. : 108280.

Short communication
Published: 09 December 2019 in Materials Letters: X
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Polyoxometalates (POMs) as anionic metal oxides are promising candidates for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to their peculiar properties including a reversible and multi-electron redox behavior. In this work, four polyoxometalate as ionic liquids (POM-ILs) based on the combination between phosphomolybdate anion (PMo12O403−) and organic cations such as [BMIM]+, [BPy]+, [HDPy]+ and [P6,6,6,14]+ were prepared and characterized. A detailed chemical structural elucidation by elemental analysis, ATR-FTIR, 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopies have been performed. These POM-ILs were tested as photosensitizers by adsorption to the photoanode (TiO2 film) for different times (15 min to 17 h). The DSSCs performance can be highly improved comparing the commercially available compound and POM-ILs. The electrodeposition process is an excellent alternative to adsorption in order to improve the overall efficiencies. In general, [BPy]3[PMo12O40] and [P6,6,6,14]3[PMo12O40] are the most promissory compounds for DSSC approaches.

ACS Style

Hugo Cruz; Ana Lucia Pinto; João Carlos Lima; Luís C. Branco; Sandra Gago. Application of polyoxometalate-ionic liquids (POM-ILs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Materials Letters: X 2019, 6, 100033 .

AMA Style

Hugo Cruz, Ana Lucia Pinto, João Carlos Lima, Luís C. Branco, Sandra Gago. Application of polyoxometalate-ionic liquids (POM-ILs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Materials Letters: X. 2019; 6 ():100033.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hugo Cruz; Ana Lucia Pinto; João Carlos Lima; Luís C. Branco; Sandra Gago. 2019. "Application of polyoxometalate-ionic liquids (POM-ILs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)." Materials Letters: X 6, no. : 100033.

Paper
Published: 30 September 2019 in Sustainable Energy & Fuels
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TiO2 and [P6,6,6,14]2 fluorone highly hydrophobic ionic liquid dye.

ACS Style

Ana Lucia Pinto; A. Jorge Parola; João P. Leal; Isabel B. Coutinho; Cláudia C. L. Pereira. Dye-sensitized solar cells using fluorone-based ionic liquids with improved cell efficiency. Sustainable Energy & Fuels 2019, 3, 3510 -3517.

AMA Style

Ana Lucia Pinto, A. Jorge Parola, João P. Leal, Isabel B. Coutinho, Cláudia C. L. Pereira. Dye-sensitized solar cells using fluorone-based ionic liquids with improved cell efficiency. Sustainable Energy & Fuels. 2019; 3 (12):3510-3517.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Lucia Pinto; A. Jorge Parola; João P. Leal; Isabel B. Coutinho; Cláudia C. L. Pereira. 2019. "Dye-sensitized solar cells using fluorone-based ionic liquids with improved cell efficiency." Sustainable Energy & Fuels 3, no. 12: 3510-3517.

Journal article
Published: 31 August 2019 in Solar Energy
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Herein, a series of 3-O-glucosilated pyranoanthocyanin derivatives were synthesized following a bio-mimetic approach. The compounds were studied by means of UV–Vis spectroscopy in order to establish their chemical equilibria and determine the stability of the colored species over the pH range. The resistance of pyranoanthocyanins to hydration grants this family of compounds, closely related to anthocyanins, increased color stability. Finally, the synthetized compounds were successfully applied as light harvesters in DSSCs and relations between dye structure and cell efficiency were found. The influence of different linker units (carboxylate, catechol) and electron-donor groups (methoxy, hydroxyl, methyl), as well as the presence of sugar moieties have impact in the various parameters related to DSSC efficiency. An overall efficiency of 1.57% was obtained for the best performing compound, methylpyranocyanidin-3-O-glucoside. The impact of using different additives was also studied and the results compared with other families.

ACS Style

Ana Lucia Pinto; Joana Oliveira; Paula Araújo; Giuseppe Calogero; Victor Freitas; Fernando Pina; A. Jorge Parola; J. Carlos Lima. Study of the multi-equilibria of red wine colorants pyranoanthocyanins and evaluation of their potential in dye-sensitized solar cells. Solar Energy 2019, 191, 100 -108.

AMA Style

Ana Lucia Pinto, Joana Oliveira, Paula Araújo, Giuseppe Calogero, Victor Freitas, Fernando Pina, A. Jorge Parola, J. Carlos Lima. Study of the multi-equilibria of red wine colorants pyranoanthocyanins and evaluation of their potential in dye-sensitized solar cells. Solar Energy. 2019; 191 ():100-108.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Lucia Pinto; Joana Oliveira; Paula Araújo; Giuseppe Calogero; Victor Freitas; Fernando Pina; A. Jorge Parola; J. Carlos Lima. 2019. "Study of the multi-equilibria of red wine colorants pyranoanthocyanins and evaluation of their potential in dye-sensitized solar cells." Solar Energy 191, no. : 100-108.

Journal article
Published: 23 May 2019 in Dyes and Pigments
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Anthocyanins are the main polyphenolic dyes found in young red wines, which are transformed into more stable structures such as pyranoanthocyanins, during wine ageing and maturation. While anthocyanins practically lose their red color between pH 1 and 5, as a result of the formation of colorless hemiketals, pyranoanthocyanins practically do not change their color intensity. For that they constitute a photosensitizer family with great potential for bio-inspired dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, a series of pyranoanthocyanin derivatives were designed, synthesized and applied for the first time as dye sensitizers in DSSCs. A relation was established between dye structure and cell efficiency. Specifically, the influence of different linker units, carboxyl and catechol, was studied in terms of their influence in the various parameters related to DSSC efficiency. The presence of the catechol unit was shown to be essential for efficient electron injection of the dye into the TiO2 semiconductor, since carboxylic units showed a deleterious effect in electron injection due to their electron withdrawing character. An overall efficiency of 1.15% was obtained for the best performing compound, 10-catecholpyrano-3′,4’,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavylium, with no further optimization.

ACS Style

Ana Lucia Pinto; Luis Cruz; Vânia Gomes; Hugo Cruz; Giuseppe Calogero; Victor Freitas; Fernando Pina; A. Jorge Parola; J. Carlos Lima. Catechol versus carboxyl linkage impact on DSSC performance of synthetic pyranoflavylium salts. Dyes and Pigments 2019, 170, 107577 .

AMA Style

Ana Lucia Pinto, Luis Cruz, Vânia Gomes, Hugo Cruz, Giuseppe Calogero, Victor Freitas, Fernando Pina, A. Jorge Parola, J. Carlos Lima. Catechol versus carboxyl linkage impact on DSSC performance of synthetic pyranoflavylium salts. Dyes and Pigments. 2019; 170 ():107577.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Lucia Pinto; Luis Cruz; Vânia Gomes; Hugo Cruz; Giuseppe Calogero; Victor Freitas; Fernando Pina; A. Jorge Parola; J. Carlos Lima. 2019. "Catechol versus carboxyl linkage impact on DSSC performance of synthetic pyranoflavylium salts." Dyes and Pigments 170, no. : 107577.