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Chinese researchers have discovered natural graphene for the first time in lunar soil samples
Release time:
2024-09-27 15:36
Jilin University News Network reported on June 21 that recently, Professor Zou Meng, Professor Zhang Wei, Senior Engineer Li Xiujuanzheng of Jilin University and Ren Wencai, researcher of the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, etc., conducted a report on the drilling of Chang'e-5 cuttings lunar soil (No. CE5Z0806YJYX004), the first discovery of naturally occurring few-layer graphene. These studies provide new insights into the geological activity and evolution history of the Moon and the environmental characteristics of the Moon, broaden people's understanding of the complex mineral composition of lunar soil, and provide important information and clues for the in-situ resource utilization of the Moon. The research findings, titled "Discovery of Natural Few-Layer Graphene on the Moon," were published in the journal National Science Review on June 17.
Fig.1 Advanced electron microstructure characterization and spectroscopic analysis of natural graphene in CE-5 lunar soil samples
Previous reports have pointed out that by observing the global carbon ion flux of the moon, researchers believe that there is primary carbon on the moon, and it is feasible to use the characterization of lunar samples to reveal the crystal structure of the primary carbon phase. With its novel physical phenomena and extraordinary properties, graphene is playing an increasingly important role in a wide range of fields, including planetary and space science. It is estimated that about 1.9% of the total interstellar carbon is in the form of graphene, and its morphology and properties are determined by a specific formation process, so the composition and structural characteristics of natural graphene will provide important reference and information for the geological evolution of the stars and the in-situ resource utilization of the Moon.
Fig.2 Possible formation of few-layer graphene on the Moon
In this study, the research team used the electron microscopy-Raman technique to collect Raman spectra at locations with relatively high carbon content in lunar soil samples, confirming that the crystalline quality of graphitic carbon in lunar soil samples is relatively high. It is important to note that the regions where carbon is present in the lunar soil sample contain iron compounds, which are closely related to the formation of graphene. Through the comprehensive application of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-angle annular darkfield image and high-resolution image of spherical aberration electron microscopy under cryo-freezing conditions, energy spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy, flying secondary mass spectrometry, and rigorous comparison and analysis of test results, the graphitic carbon detected in the lunar soil samples was explored and confirmed to be few-layer graphene (2-7 layers), and it was proposed that the formation of few-layer graphene and graphitic carbon may originate from the mineral catalytic process induced by the solar wind and the early volcanic eruptions of the moon.
Professor Zhang Wei from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Jilin University is the first author of this paper, and Professor Zou Meng and Senior Engineer Li Xiujuan from the Key Laboratory of Engineering Bionics of the Ministry of Education and Ren Wencai from the Shenyang National Laboratory of Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences are the co-corresponding authors of this paper. The testing, analysis and characterization team of the Electron Microscopy Center of Jilin University, the School of Physics, the State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, and the High Pressure Science Center for Extreme Conditions have given strong support to this research work. The research results were jointly completed by researcher Ma Laipeng from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Zhang Rui, Associate Professor Li Xinyang, Professor Zheng Weitao, Professor Zhou Qiang, Professor Li Fangfei and Liu Hongyan from Jilin University, researcher Hu Zhenyu from the National Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, and researcher Liu Li from the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center. The work was supported by lunar soil samples from the National Lunar Exploration Center and funded by the National Foundation of China.
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