MAYA BLUE PAINT - AN ANCIENT NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIAL

Maya blue paint was often used in Mesoamerica. The origin of its color and its resistance to acids and biocorrosion have not been fully unde rstood. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron ene rgy loss spectroscopy, and x-ray microanalysis studies of authentic sa mples 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 nanoparticle s encapsulated in the substrate and oxide nanoparticles on the surface . The beautiful tone of the color is obtained only when both the parti cles and the superlattice are present.