Characterisation of Polymesoda bengalensis Shell Powder

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to determine the element and polymorph of Polymesoda bengalensis shell and to compare its result with other bivalve shells. The polymorph of the powder was identified by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and its morphology was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD study revealed that the shell powder consisted entirely of aragonite. The analysis from SEM also revealed that the aragonite was in the form of rod-like crystal. The morphology of sectional, inner and outer surfaces of the shell was scanned using SEM. It was found that the aragonite was arranged in the form of a cross-lamellar structure of various sizes. The elemental content of the shell was examined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The result showed that CaCO3 in this shell contained large amounts of calcium and carbon.