Discovery of Natural Few-Layer Graphene on the Moon

TapTechNews on June 23, according to the official news of Jilin University, researchers through the observation and analysis of the drill-cutting lunar soil sample (No.CE5Z0806YJYX004) from Chang'e-5, have for the first time discovered the naturally formed few-layer graphene. This finding provides new insights for people to understand the geological activities and evolution history of the moon and the environmental characteristics of the moon.

TapTechNews learned that about 1.9% of the total interstellar carbon exists in the form of graphene, and its morphology and properties are determined by specific formation processes. Therefore, the composition and structural characteristics of natural graphene will provide important references and information for the geological evolution of celestial bodies and the in-situ resource utilization of the moon.

Using the combined technique of electron microscope and Raman spectroscopy, the research team collected Raman spectra at the position with relatively high carbon content in the lunar soil sample, confirming that the crystalline quality of graphite carbon in the lunar soil sample is relatively high. The area where carbon exists in the lunar soil sample contains iron compounds, which is closely related to the formation of graphene.

Through the comprehensive application of various characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopic imaging, transmission electron microscopic imaging, high-angle annular dark-field images and high-resolution images of spherical aberration electron microscope under freezing conditions, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy, flight secondary mass spectrometry, etc., and the rigorous comparison and analysis of the test results from multiple aspects, the researchers explored and confirmed that the graphite carbon detected in the lunar soil sample is few-layer graphene (2-7 layers). And it is proposed that the formation of few-layer graphene and graphite carbon may originate from the mineral catalysis process jointly induced by the solar wind and the early volcanic eruptions of the moon.

The research result was titled 'Discovery of Natural Few-Layer Graphene on the Moon' and published in the National Science Review journal on June 17. Professor Zhang Wei from the Material Science and Engineering discipline of Jilin University is the first author of this article, and Professor Zou Meng from the Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Senior Engineer Li XiuJuan, and Researcher Ren Wencai from the Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences are the co-corresponding authors of this article.

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