Graphene Discovered in Lunar Soil Sample from Chang'e 5 Mission

A recent study published in National Science Review has identified the presence of naturally formed few-layer graphene in a lunar soil sample. This remarkable finding comes from a team of researchers led by Professors Meng Zou, Wei Zhang, and Senior Engineer Xiujuan Li from Jilin University, along with Wencai Ren from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Metal Research. The sample, an olive-shaped piece of lunar soil measuring approximately 2.9 by 1.6 millimeters, was collected during China's Chang'e 5 mission in 2020.

The research team explained that roughly 1.9 percent of interstellar carbon is believed to be in the form of graphene, with its distinctive structure shaped by its formation process. Utilizing a specialized spectrometer, the scientists detected an iron compound integral to graphene formation within a carbon-rich section of the lunar sample. Further analysis with advanced microscopy and mapping techniques confirmed the presence of carbon "flakes" consisting of two to seven graphene layers.

The team hypothesizes that the few-layer graphene could have originated from volcanic activity in the moon's early history, with solar winds acting as a catalyst by agitating lunar soil and iron-rich minerals to transform carbon atoms into graphene. Additionally, the high-temperature and high-pressure conditions generated by meteorite impacts may have contributed to graphene formation.

On Earth, graphene is highly valued in materials science for its unique optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. The researchers believe that their findings could pave the way for cost-effective production methods and broader applications of graphene.

"The mineral-catalyzed formation of natural graphene sheds light on the development of low-cost scalable synthesis techniques of high-quality graphene," the paper said. "Therefore, a new lunar exploration program may be promoted, and some forthcoming breakthroughs can be expected."

Research Report:Discovery of natural few-layer graphene on the Moon