Crystallographic texture and microstructure of terebratulide brachiopod shell calcite: An optimized materials design with hierarchical architecture
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Erika Griesshaber
,
Wolfgang W. Schmahl
Abstract
We analyzed the microstructure, microchemistry, and microhardness variations across the architectural elements of the shells of the brachiopod species Megerlia truncata and Terebratalia transversa with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and Vickers microhardness indentation (VMHI). The brachiopod valves consist of two principal layers of distinct calcite biomineralization: a thin, nanocrystalline, outer, hard protective layer with VMHI values exceeding 200 HV and a much thicker, inner, secondary layer of a hybrid organic-inorganic fiber composite material. The secondary layer is further structured into two sublayers, an outer part with VMHI values varying between 110 and 140 HV, and a softer inner part (70 < HV < 110). Whereas the size of the calcite crystals within the primary layer varies between a few tens of nanometers and 2 μm, calcite crystals within the secondary layer are fibrous, commonly reaching lengths exceeding 150 μm. Cross sections of these fibrous crystals are spade shaped, their dimensions being about 5 × 20 μm. The fibers are aligned parallel to each other. They are single crystals with their morphological fiber axes pointing almost parallel to the shell vault. The crystallographic orientation of the morphological fiber axes, however, is arbitrary within the a-b plane of the calcite lattice, whereas the c-axis (hexagonal unit-cell setting) is perpendicular to the morphological fiber axes and thus parallel to the radial vector of the valve vault. This morphology strongly indicates that fibrous growth is controlled by confinement within a cell in an organic matrix and not by attachment of biomolecules to specific crystallographic faces. We observe inhomogeneous Sr2+ and Mg2+ concentrations in the shell calcite within the 0.1.0.9 wt% range. Design of the shell appears to be highly optimized for mechanical performance. Crystal morphology and orientation as well as incorporated organic matter are structured hierarchially at different length levels forming a hybrid organic-inorganic fiber composite architecture.
© 2015 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Single-crystal FTIR and X-ray study of vishnevite, ideally [Na6(SO4)][Na2(H2O)2](Si6Al6O24)
- Crystallographic texture and microstructure of terebratulide brachiopod shell calcite: An optimized materials design with hierarchical architecture
- High-temperature phase relations and topological constraints in the quaternary system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-Cr2O3: An experimental study
- Tilt and buckling modes, and acoustic anisotropy in layers with post-perovskite connectivity
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- Deriving formation constants for aqueous metal complexes from XANES spectra: Zn2+ and Fe2+ chloride complexes in hypersaline solutions
- Birnessite polytype systematics and identiÞ cation by powder X-ray diffraction
- Improved measurement of fission-track annealing in apatite using c-axis projection
- Improved modeling of fission-track annealing in apatite
- Intercalibration of FTIR and SIMS for hydrogen measurements in glasses and nominally anhydrous minerals
- Order and miscibility in the otavite–magnesite solid solution
- An infrared investigation of the otavite-magnesite solid solution
- Partitioning of calcium, magnesium, and transition metals between olivine and melt governed by the structure of the silicate melt at ambient pressure
- The geometric effects of VFe2+ for VMg substitution on the crystal structures of the grandidierite-ominelite series
- The iron oxidation state of garnet by electron microprobe: Its determination with the flank method combined with major-element analysis
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- Determination of layer stacking microstructures and intralayer transition of illite polytypes by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)
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- The crystal structure of ingersonite, Ca3Mn2+Sb45+O14, and its relationships with pyrochlore
- Chemical composition, statistical analysis of the unit cell, and electrostatic modeling of the structure of Al-saturated chlorite from metamorphosed rocks
- XANES study of the oxidation state of Cr in lower mantle phases: Periclase and magnesium silicate perovskite
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