Nano-mechanical variations in chamber units of dry cuttlebone.

Abstract

Natural hierarchical structures have evolved to exhibit tailored mechanical properties, such as those found in various seashells. Due to their high impact-resisting mechanical properties, these structures have been widely investigated and form the basis of bio-inspired composite materials. This approach requires an accurate understanding of their mechanical properties at the level of individual micro- and nanoscale structural components, which are formed out of a mainly inorganic mineral with biopolymer inclusions in a layered arrangement. Here, we present an AFM study of the mechanical properties of cuttlebone and quantify the elastic modulus of its main micro-nanoscale constituents. The obtained results reveal the detailed mechanical properties of the hierarchical structure of cuttlebone and provide a strategy for accurately testing nanoscale mechanical properties of advanced composite materials.