Papers by Giuseppe Calogero
Vegetable-based dye-sensitized solar cells
Chemical Society reviews, Jan 9, 2015
There is currently a large effort to improve the performance of low cost renewable energy devices... more There is currently a large effort to improve the performance of low cost renewable energy devices. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are emerging as one of the most promising low cost photovoltaic technologies, addressing "secure, clean and efficient solar energy conversion". Vegetable dyes, extracted from algae, flowers, fruit and leaves, can be used as sensitizers in DSSCs. Thus far, anthocyanin and betalain extracts together with selected chlorophyll derivatives are the most successful vegetable sensitizers. This review analyses recent progress in the exploitation of vegetable dyes for solar energy conversion and compares them to the properties of synthetic dyes. We provide an in-depth discussion on the main limitation of cell performance e.g. dye degradation, effective electron injection from the dye into the conduction band of semiconducting nanoparticles, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, outlining future developments for the use of vegetable sensitizers in D...
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled by using red Sicilian orange juice (Citrus Sine... more Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled by using red Sicilian orange juice (Citrus Sinensis) and the purple extract of eggplant peels (Solanum melongena, L.) as natural sensitizers of TiO 2 films. Conversion of solar light into electricity was successfully accomplished with both fruit-based solar cells. The best solar energy conversion efficiency (Z ¼ 0.66%) was obtained by red orange juice dye that, under AM 1.5 illumination, achieved up to J sc ¼ 3.84 mA/cm 2 , V oc ¼ 0.340 V and fill factor ¼ 0.50. In the case of the extract of eggplant peels, the values determined were up to J sc ¼ 3.40 mA/cm 2 , V oc ¼ 0.350 V and fill factor ¼ 0.40. Cyanidine-3-glucoside (cyanine) and delphinidin 3-[4-(p-coumaroyl)-L-rhamnosyl(1-6)glucopyranoside]-5-glucopyranoside (nasunin) are the main pigments of cocktail dyes for red orange and eggplant, respectively. Actually, their application is far below the industrial requirements. Nevertheless, their study is an interesting multidisciplinary exercise useful for dissemination of knowledge and to educate people on renewable energy sources. Here, we report and discuss the role of the structure, the absorption spectra and the sensitization activity of the mentioned compounds.
Luminescence of azobenzene derivatives induced by cyclopalladation
... 2 . . ,J 5 r - . ,'i~ ELSEVIER 21 March 1997 Chemical Physics Letters 267 (1997)... more ... 2 . . ,J 5 r - . ,'i~ ELSEVIER 21 March 1997 Chemical Physics Letters 267 (1997) 341-344 CHEMICAL PHYSICS LETTERS Luminescence of azobenzene derivatives induced by cyclopalladation Mauro Ghedini a ... [3] J. Newton, H. Walton, H. Coles and P. Hodge, Mol. Cryst. ...
AAPP| Atti della Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti Classe di Scienze Fisiche, Matematiche e Naturali
... ma conteneva oltre ad alcuni calcoli interessanti - delle idee utili. Esse furono pi`u tard... more ... ma conteneva oltre ad alcuni calcoli interessanti - delle idee utili. Esse furono pi`u tardi utilizzate da Stefan Banach, che le formul`o in modo molto preciso. Inoltre, arricchendole con concetti topologici, dimostr`o che La Legge ...
Dyes and Nanostructured Materials for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
THE ALIEN SPECIES UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA (OCHROPHYTA, PHAEOPHYCEAE) IN RENEWABLE ENERGY: FROM PHOTOSYNTHESIS TO PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL SOLAR CELLS
The use of methane in molten carbonate fuel cells
ABSTRACT
A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE USE OF ETHANOL, METHANOL AND METHANE FOR MCFC
Ruthenium-based optical fiber sensor for gaseous oxygen detection
Thin films based on polymer for optical and electrochromic devices
Preparazione di bifenoli naturali funzionalizzati con unità fotosensibili reversibili
Multi-wavelength SERS measurements on dyes molecules adsorbed on gold evaporated nanoparticles su... more Multi-wavelength SERS measurements on dyes molecules adsorbed on gold evaporated nanoparticles substrates are presented. The spectra are correlated with the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) profile of the nanostructured substrate before and after the adsorption process. The enhancement of the typical vibrational modes of the methylene blue is investigated for the different excitation wavelengths and we show that its behavior follows properly the LSPR profile of nanoparticles "dressed" with the dye molecules.
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of biomolecules in buffer solution
Selected silicone membranes are investigated in order to find attractive multifunctional material... more Selected silicone membranes are investigated in order to find attractive multifunctional materials as liquid confining flexible agents with good heat resistance as well as low affinity towards the chemical specimens commonly used in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). In fact, the leakage and/or volatilization of liquid components inside DSSC remains one of the most critical obstacles in the progress of this technology from laboratory scale to large area applications. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopic, differential scanning calorimetric, and thermogravimetric analyses on dry membranes were performed in order to investigate their mechanical properties and their thermal stability. By a further comparative study between the equilibrium uptake and the adsorptiondesorption process of a nitrile based solution, useful indications about the ability of these networks to encapsulate the liquid mixture were inferred. Moreover, a rough evaluation of porosity was also carried out, giving results which are in agreement with surface morphology observed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. In the light of the results obtained by the different experimental techniques the confinement capability of these membranes towards the liquid components inside a DSSC is discussed.
Thin-Film Photovoltaics 2013
Photoelectrochemical Solar Cell Comprising Sensitizing Anthocyanin and Betalain Dyes of Vegetal or Synthetic Origin, or Mixtures Thereof
Sensitized P25 TiO 2 was prepared by wet impregnation with a home-prepared perylene dye, i.e., N,... more Sensitized P25 TiO 2 was prepared by wet impregnation with a home-prepared perylene dye, i.e., N,N′-bis(2-(1piperazino)ethyl)-3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic acid diimide dichloride (PZPER). Energy levels of PZPER were found to be compatible with those of TiO 2 allowing fast electron transfer. The obtained catalyst has been characterized and used in the gas-phase partial oxidation of aliphatic primary and secondary alcohols, i.e., methanol, ethanol, and 2propanol. The reaction was carried out under cut-off (λ> 400 nm) simulated solar radiation in O 2 atmosphere. The perylene derivative allowed a good absorbance of visible radiation thanks to its low optical energy gap (2.6 eV) which was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The optimal organic sensitizing amount was found to be 5.6 % w/w in terms of yield in carbonyl derivatives. Moreover, no change in reactivity/selectivity was observed after 10-h irradiation thus confirming the catalyst stability. Yields into formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were 67, 70, and 96 %, respectively. No significant amounts of organic byproducts were detected but for methanol oxidation, whereas a minor amount of the substrate degraded to CO 2 .
A new family of bis (diazacrown-anthracenoyl) luminescent receptors
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Papers by Giuseppe Calogero