Microstructure, chemistry, and electronic structure of natural hybrid composites in abalone shell

作者：Srot Vesna^*; Wegst Ulrike G K; Salzberger Ute; Koch Christoph T; Hahn Kersten; Kopold Peter; van Aken Peter A

来源：Micron, 2013, 48: 54-64.

DOI：10.1016/j.micron.2013.02.010

• Abalone shell
• Ca-carbonate polymorphs
• ELNES
• EFTEM
• TEM sample preparation

The crystal structure and chemical composition at the inorganic/inorganic and inorganic/organic interfaces in abalone shell (genus Haliotis) were investigated using advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. Electron energy-loss near-edge structures (ELNES) of Ca-M-2,M-3, C-K, Ca-L-2,L-3, O-K and low-loss EEL spectra acquired from aragonite and calcite are distinctly different. When comparing biogenic with inorganic material for aragonite, only minor differences in C-K fine structures,could be detected. The crystal structure of the mineral bridges was confirmed by ELNES experiments. ELNES and energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM) experiments of regular and self-healed interfaces between nacreous aragonite and prismatic calcite reveal relatively rough transitions. In this work, the importance of TEM specimen preparation and specimen damage on structural features is discussed.

• 出版日期2013-5