Influence of polymer initiators in light guiding in a cyanobacterium incorporated (poly)-methyl methacrylate matrix

This letter investigates the luminescence property of a cyanobacterium, Arthospira platensis (spirulina) in an acrylic polymer medium. We fabricated 5 mm thick rectangular sheets by incorporating this photosynthetic organism in (Poly)-Methyl Meth Acrylate (PMMA) for waveguide applications in Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs). Meanwhile, during polymerization, the use of the benzoyl peroxide initiator had a notable effect on the optical property of the pigment-protein. We recorded an enhanced fluorescence emission of the sheet fabricated in the peroxide environment. Emission efficiency is 4.09% more than that in an azo- environment. This is due to the anti-oxidant property of spirulina’s pigment-protein, which absorbs the oxygen radicals produced by the peroxide initiator.