Jose-Yacaman M, Rendon L, Arenas J
M. Jose-Yacaman and L. Rendon, Instituto de Fisica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Apdo. Postal 20-364, Delegacion Alvaro Obregon, 01000 Mexico, D.F., Mexico. J. Arenas, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Carr. Mexico-Toluca Km. 36.5, 52045 Salazar Edo. de Mexico. M. C. Serra Puche, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia, Paseo de la Reforma y Gandhi s/n, Polanco, 11560 Mexico, D.F., Mexico.
Science. 1996 Jul 12;273(5272):223-5. doi: 10.1126/science.273.5272.223.
Maya blue paint was often used in Mesoamerica. The origin of its color and its resistance to acids and biocorrosion have not been fully understood. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and x-ray microanalysis studies of authentic samples show that palygorskite crystals in the paint form a superlattice that probably occurs as a result of mixing with indigo molecules. An amorphous silicate substrate contains inclusions of metal nanoparticles encapsulated in the substrate and oxide nanoparticles on the surface. The beautiful tone of the color is obtained only when both the particles and the superlattice are present.
玛雅蓝颜料在中美洲经常被使用。其颜色来源以及对酸和生物腐蚀的抗性尚未完全被理解。对真实样本进行的高分辨率透射电子显微镜、电子能量损失谱和X射线微分析研究表明，颜料中的坡缕石晶体形成了一种超晶格，这可能是与靛蓝分子混合的结果。一种无定形硅酸盐基质包含封装在基质中的金属纳米颗粒夹杂物以及表面的氧化物纳米颗粒。只有当颗粒和超晶格都存在时，才能获得这种美丽的色调。
