Optimizing electron backscatter diffraction of carbonate biominerals—resin type and carbon coating

Perez-Huerta, A. and Cusack, M. (2009) Optimizing electron backscatter diffraction of carbonate biominerals—resin type and carbon coating. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 15(3), pp. 197-203. (doi: 10.1017/S1431927609090370) (PMID:19460175)

Abstract

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is becoming a widely used technique to determine crystallographic orientation in biogenic carbonates. Despite this use, there is little information available on preparation for the analysis of biogenic carbonates. EBSD data are compared for biogenic aragonite and calcite in the common blue mussel, <i>Mytilus edulis</i>, using different types of resin and thicknesses of carbon coating. Results indicate that carbonate biomineral samples provide better EBSD results if they are embedded in resin, particularly epoxy resin. A uniform layer of carbon of 2.5 nm thickness provides sufficient conductivity for EBSD analyses of such insulators to avoid charging without masking the diffracted signal. Diffraction intensity decreases with carbon coating thickness of 5 nm or more. This study demonstrates the importance of optimizing sample preparation for EBSD analyses of insulators such as carbonate biominerals.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Aragonite, calcite, mussel, epoxy, diffraction intensity, nanometer
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Perez-Huerta, Dr Alberto and Cusack, Professor Maggie
• Authors: Perez-Huerta, A., and Cusack, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Microscopy and Microanalysis
• Publisher: Published for the Microscopy Society of America by Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 1431-9276
• ISSN (Online): 1435-8115
• Published Online: 22 May 2009
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2009 Microscopy Society of America
• First Published: First published in Microscopy and Microanalysis 15(3):197-203
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
42931	1	Crystallography for biology - as easy as EBSD	Maggie Cusack	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)	BB/E003265/1	School of Geographical and Earth Sciences