Maya Blue, an Ancient Guest–Host Pigment: Synthesis and Models

• Autores: Inês M. V. Leitão, J. Sérgio Seixas de Melo
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 90, Nº 11, 2013, págs. 1493-1497
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The blue of the ancient Maya civilization, Maya blue (MB), can be an excellent example for the introduction of composite materials at high school or at first-year college levels. In addition to the synthesis of MB, made according to an old recipe, a simple model of beads and LEDs has been developed mimicking this organic–inorganic hybrid (a mixture of the organic dye indigo with a clay: palygorskite). This allows teaching–learning activities where the instructor can (i) explore the rich history of MB (including that of indigo); (ii) perform the synthesis of MB in the lab; (iii) reveal the remarkable stability of MB; and finally (iv) lead the student to understand the interactions between indigo individual molecules and the clay host in MB using an imaginative and simple model.