Degree: Habilitation

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FCUP

Bio
Luís M. N. B. F. Santos (Luis Belchior Santos). Completed the PhD in Chemistry in 1996 by University of Porto, Faculty of Science and the degree in Chemistry in 1987 by Faculty of Science University of Porto. Is Associate Professor (with Habilitation) in the Faculty of Science of the University of Porto (Physical-Chemistry Group at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry). Leader of the NSO (Nanostructure and Self Organization) research group at CIQUP | IMS Institute for Molecular Sciences (Associated Laboratory /FCT) . Participates and/or participated as Invited Scientist Fellow In the MPI-PKS Max Planck Institut in Dresden Germany. Works in the area(s) of Science and Chemical Engineering with emphasis on Physical Chemistry and Materials Science. Is internationally recognized for his work in the field of molecular energetics, in the study of thermophysical properties of materials, in particular for his contribution to the interpretation of nanostructuration in ionic liquids. He is also recognized for his studies and developments in the field of new experimental methodologies in the areas of calorimetry, thermophysics and thermoanalysis. Published 213 articles in journals. Has 2 book(s). Has received 5 awards and/or honors. Successful supervision of 8 PhD students. Some CV indicators: H=45; H100=22; > 8250 citations | (Jan 2024). In their professional activities interacted with 213 collaborator(s) co-authorship of scientific papers. Chairman & Organizer of ECTP 2014 - European Conference on Thermophysical Properties. Organizer and Chair of ILWS2017 winter school on ionic liquids. Is Chair of the ILMAT2023 | 7th International Conference on Ionic Liquid-Based Materials. SPERTUS.Porto (2022) Energy Transition and Industrial Competitiveness; iCERR |WorkSHOP on Science Education Innovation (2023).
Since October of 2023 is Director of the CIQUP | Research Center in Chemistry (Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto). Education Innovation (2023).



CIQUP  |  Centro de Investigação em Química (FCUP) 
IMS |  Institute of Molecular Sciences
https://www.fc.up.pt/ciqup/

SCOPUS, Author ID: 7202567010

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3040-0358

CIENCIA ID: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/en/0816-D726-42A2


Publications
Showing 5 latest publications. Total publications: 242
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1. Molecular Thermodynamics of Phenanthroline Derivatives Relevant to Organic Electronics, Farinha, AFM; Silva, RMA; Santos, LMNBF Costa, JCS in JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C, 2026, ISSN: 1932-7447,  Volume: 130, 
Article,  Indexed in: crossref, scopus, wos  DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.5c07988 P-01B-FBA
Abstract A comprehensive thermodynamic and supramolecular characterization was conducted on a series of phenanthroline-based organic semiconductors and related derivatives, including 1,10-phenanthroline (PHEN), neocuproine (DMPHEN), bathophenanthroline (BPHEN), and bathocuproine (BCP), to elucidate how systematic molecular substitution affects their stability, volatility, and optoelectronic properties. Heat capacity and phase-transition studies, including vapor-pressure measurements, provided a consistent thermodynamic framework for these materials. Analysis of heat capacities revealed that methyl and phenyl groups contribute independently and additively, supporting transferable models for predicting thermal behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that phenyl substitution enhances thermal stability (BPHEN, BCP), whereas methyl substitution slightly decreases it. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed distinct phase behaviors: PHEN is sensitive to hydration, DMPHEN exhibits polymorphism, BPHEN tends to form a glass, and BCP crystallizes reproducibly. Sublimation studies using Knudsen effusion coupled with a quartz crystal microbalance yielded enthalpic and entropic parameters clarifying volatility trends. Complementary supramolecular analysis identified the key pi-pi stacking, C-H & centerdot;& centerdot;& centerdot;N and C-H & centerdot;& centerdot;& centerdot;pi interactions underlying crystal cohesion. UV-vis spectroscopy further provided the band gap energies, which are relevant to optoelectronic performance. By correlating thermodynamic data with supramolecular organization and molecular structure, this study establishes a rigorous framework for the rational design and processing of phenanthroline derivatives in robust and efficient organic electronic devices.
2. Dependency of Morphology and Wetting on Alkyl Chain Length in Vacuum-Evaporated [C n py][NTf2] (n=2-9) Pyridinium Ionic Liquid Films, Silva, SRMR; Pereira, JMS; Bondarchuk, O; Ribeiro, MCC; Santos, LMNBF Costa, JCS in LANGMUIR, 2026, ISSN: 0743-7463,  Volume: 42, 
Article in Press,  Indexed in: crossref, scopus, wos  DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c00729 P-01B-GDW
Abstract A systematic investigation of thin films of pyridinium-based ionic liquids (ILs), [C n py][NTf2] (n = 2-9), deposited via physical vapor deposition on ITO and Au/ITO substrates is presented, providing the first comprehensive study of vacuum-deposited films within this homologous series. The influence of evaporation temperature, deposition rate, alkyl chain length, and substrate on thin-film morphology, nucleation and coalescence dynamics, interfacial behavior, and film structure was examined using SEM, optical microscopy, FTIR, and XPS. SEM analyses reveal that higher evaporation temperatures, which increase the deposition rate, lead to larger droplets and enhanced coalescence, resulting in larger microstructures. A comparison of the film morphologies across the IL series shows that longer cation alkyl chains further enhance lateral spreading and wetting, particularly on Au substrates. An odd-even effect on the morphological characteristics of the films is observed across the series, reflecting subtle differences in interfacial interactions. Moreover, a clear distinction in wetting behavior between short- and long-chain pyridinium ILs is evident, consistent with trends previously reported for imidazolium-based ILs. FTIR spectra comparing bulk and thin IL films confirm that the ILs retain their chemical integrity upon film formation. XPS measurements support the morphological observations, highlighting that ILs comprising longer alkyl chains achieve more complete surface coverage. The results of this work provide fundamental insights into the interplay between the cation alkyl chain length of pyridinium-based ILs, substrate interactions, and film formation dynamics, offering guidance for the rational design of IL films for functional surface applications.
3. Polyol-based deep eutectic solvents: betaine versus choline chloride, Teixeira, G; Abranches, DO; Yu, GQ; Held, C; Santos, LMNBF Ferreira, O; Coutinho, JAP in PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS, 2026, ISSN: 1463-9076, 
Article in Press,  Indexed in: crossref, scopus, wos  DOI: 10.1039/d6cp00104a P-01C-70Q
Abstract This work investigates the potential of betaine as a substitute for choline chloride in the formation of polyol-based DES. The solid-liquid equilibrium (SLE) phase diagrams of binary mixtures of betaine with one polyol (ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, glycerol, meso-erythritol, xylitol, or sorbitol) were studied across the entire composition range. Experimental measurements of the phase diagrams were limited by the thermal degradation of betaine and by the boiling points or high viscosities of some polyols. Overall, betaine exhibited negative deviations from ideality, while most polyols displayed near-ideal behaviour. COSMO-RS, a thermodynamic model, satisfactorily predicts these deviations from ideality and the observed phase behaviour. Mixtures of betaine and polyols yielded a narrower liquid-phase window for room-temperature applications than the corresponding choline chloride systems. The cross-association of betaine with polyols is more favourable than its self-association, and stronger interactions between the polyols and betaine than with choline chloride are expected, leading to more negative deviations; thus, the smaller melting temperature depression must result from a higher enthalpy of fusion of betaine than that of choline chloride.
4. Entropic Effects Distinguishing the Reactivity of Fullerenes in Diels-Alder Cycloadditions, Rodrigues, DJL; Santos, LMNBF Válega, MSGA; Lima, CFRAC in CHEMPHYSCHEM, 2026, ISSN: 1439-4235,  Volume: 27, 
Article,  Indexed in: crossref, scopus, wos  DOI: 10.1002/cphc.70467 P-01C-TEG
Abstract Fullerenes combine high curvature, symmetry, and multiple reactive sites, making them ideal systems to explore structure-reactivity relationships. This work presents an equilibrium and kinetic study of the Diels-Alder reactions of three fullerenes (C-60, C-70, and IC(60)MA) with the dienes anthracene and 9,10-dimethylanthracene in m-xylene solution, using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Equilibrium constants and rate constants for both the forward and reverse reactions were determined at various temperatures, allowing the calculation of standard molar enthalpies and entropies of reaction as well as activation parameters Delta H-m double dagger and Delta S-m double dagger. The equilibrium constants follow the trend C-60 > C-70 similar to IC(60)MA, with C-60 exhibiting higher reactivity due to both a faster forward reaction and a slower reverse reaction. The results reveal that the reactivities of the fullerenes are predominantly distinguished by entropic rather than enthalpic contributions. We show that molecular symmetry, isomerism, and dynamic surface phenomena, such as addend ring walking (its extent depending on fullerene structure), collectively determine the observed reactivity trends. Kinetic results suggest that the transition states of C-60 and C-70 differ significantly in entropy, a trend consistent with the smoother reactive landscape of C-60 relative to the surface-segmented C-70.
5. Silver Deposition on Thin Films of Symmetric Long-Chain Dialkylimidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids, Alves, ACPM; Santos, LMNBF Costa, JCS in MOLECULES, 2026, ISSN: 1420-3049,  Volume: 31, 
Article,  Indexed in: crossref, scopus, wos  DOI: 10.3390/molecules31162798 P-01D-3NT
Abstract The formation and stabilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in thin films of ionic liquids (ILs) based on long-chain alkylimidazolium cations are demonstrated in this work. IL films were prepared by vacuum thermal evaporation using the Knudsen effusion method onto ITO/glass substrates, leading to the formation of micro- and nanosized structures distributed across the surface. The investigated ILs were symmetrical dialkylimidazolium-based systems: [C7C7im][NTf2], [C8C8im][NTf2], and [C10C10im][NTf2]. Increasing the alkyl side-chain length of the imidazolium cation resulted in larger droplet domains. AgNPs were subsequently deposited onto the IL films by sputtering. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that increasing the alkyl side-chain length promotes more effective confinement and stabilization of AgNPs, leading to improved nanoparticle formation and a narrower size distribution. The temporal stability of the Ag-containing IL films was evaluated under both air exposure and inert argon storage, revealing a strong influence of the surrounding atmosphere on nanoparticle evolution. Among the ILs studied, [C10C10im][NTf2] exhibited the most favorable behavior for AgNP formation and stabilization, providing a more stable and homogeneous nanoparticle distribution over time.