INVESTIGATING THE OPTICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PHOSPHORESCENT SILICONE RUBBER AS A COMPLEMENTARY SOURCE OF LIGHTING

The household lighting cost accounts for 10% of the electric bill, changing the light bulbs effectively can reduce the long term energy costs significantly. In Nigeria, where less than one percent of the population has access to 24 hours of interrupted power supply there is a need for a complementary, renewable source of light which provides enough illumination at a reasonable price, with assured safety using it and also using for a long duration of time before the need to replace it. Recently, the laws made against the use of incandescent bulbs in some country also calls for a new innovation in the lightning industry. Therefore, research has increased in the growing field of conductive polymer exhibiting the phosphorescence property. Thus, this project critically examine, through investigation the optical and mechanical properties that enables phosphorescence to occur  in a phosphorescene silicone rubber. The result showing the absorption spectrum of the silicone rubber indicates the range of frequencies the specimen could absorb in the white light spectrum using Acetone and Ethyl acetate. The experiment conducted on the elasticity of the material gives information about its Young Modulus. The result obtained from the luminous flux reveals the behavior of the silicone rubber after exposing it to daylight illumination. These results, though not comprehensive enough due to deficit of equipment, stills provide more information for further research.