Harnessing Light via Sea-Derived Pigments: A Solvent-Based Study of Marine Macroalgae Towards Bio-Inspired Photovoltaics.
Mahabaduge, Shehani Prasangika Perera (2025)
2025
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025053018732
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025053018732
Tiivistelmä
This study investigates the substantial but frequently overlooked potential of marine macroalgae, particularly the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus (FV) and the green alga Ulva intestinalis (UI) from the Baltic Sea, as sustainable sources of pigments that absorb light for bio-inspired photovoltaic systems. Two particle sizes (130 µm and 300 µm) of dried algal biomass were combined with acetone, ethanol, and methanol in a straightforward but informative solvent-based extraction method. Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, paper chromatography, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry were used to thoroughly analyse the extracted pigments.
In contrast to green algae (Ulva intestinalis), brown algae (Fucus vesiculosus) extracts consistently produced noticeably higher pigment concentrations and showed a wider, more varied absorption spectrum via UV-Vis, making it a more promising candidate for photovoltaic applications, according to key findings. In general, pigment recovery was improved by finer particle sizes. In addition to identifying important functional groups (such as O–H, C=O, amide, and alkene C=C) linked to different biomolecules, FTIR analysis also crucially demonstrated the enduring presence of residual solvents, which masked the exact molecular makeup and emphasized the necessity for better drying techniques. The varied pigment profile of Fucus extracts, which could separate into several bands, was further validated by qualitative paper chromatography. Ulva extracts, on the other hand, did not separate at all, indicating a reduced pigment content or inappropriate chromatographic behavior.
Despite the noted drawbacks, such as UV-Vis saturation at elevated concentrations and the qualitative character of certain studies, this study provides a fundamental understanding of the extraction and characterization of algal pigments. It highlights how important Fucus vesiculosus is as a source of effective photosensitizers and how future research will need to use more sophisticated analytical methods (like HPLC-MS and NMR) to obtain conclusive molecular identification and maximize extract purity for high-performance bio-inspired photovoltaics.
In contrast to green algae (Ulva intestinalis), brown algae (Fucus vesiculosus) extracts consistently produced noticeably higher pigment concentrations and showed a wider, more varied absorption spectrum via UV-Vis, making it a more promising candidate for photovoltaic applications, according to key findings. In general, pigment recovery was improved by finer particle sizes. In addition to identifying important functional groups (such as O–H, C=O, amide, and alkene C=C) linked to different biomolecules, FTIR analysis also crucially demonstrated the enduring presence of residual solvents, which masked the exact molecular makeup and emphasized the necessity for better drying techniques. The varied pigment profile of Fucus extracts, which could separate into several bands, was further validated by qualitative paper chromatography. Ulva extracts, on the other hand, did not separate at all, indicating a reduced pigment content or inappropriate chromatographic behavior.
Despite the noted drawbacks, such as UV-Vis saturation at elevated concentrations and the qualitative character of certain studies, this study provides a fundamental understanding of the extraction and characterization of algal pigments. It highlights how important Fucus vesiculosus is as a source of effective photosensitizers and how future research will need to use more sophisticated analytical methods (like HPLC-MS and NMR) to obtain conclusive molecular identification and maximize extract purity for high-performance bio-inspired photovoltaics.