[Unique optical reflection spectra of bivalve nacre and its origin].
The structural color and microstructure of nacre in bivalve shells of Pinctada maxima were investigated by optical reflection spectra, scanning electron microscopy and theoretical simulation. The following results are obtained: (1) The thickness of aragonite tablets decreased significantly from growing to central region of nacre, which leads to a blue-shift of reflection peak wavelength with the same reflection order obviously; (2) The structural color of nacre in bivalve shells of Pinctada maxima is derived from the combination effects of aragonite-protein multilayer structure and yellow pigments in nacre.
Zhang
Wei-gang
WG
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
Wang
Gang
G
Yan
Jun
J
Li
Hao-xuan
HX
Zhang
Gang-sheng
GS