Chinese researchers have found natural graphene in lunar soil samples for the first time

Chinese researchers have for the first time discovered naturally formed graphene with fewer layers by observing and analyzing the lunar soil of rock cuttings drilled in Chang 'e-5.

Researchers from Jilin University, the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, and the Lunar Exploration and Aerospace Engineering Center have discovered the naturally formed low-layer graphene for the first time through observation and analysis of the lunar soil of rock debris drilled by Chang 'e-5, Science and Technology Daily reported on Sunday.

According to the report, relevant studies provide new insights into the geological activity and evolution history of the moon as well as the environmental characteristics of the moon, and provide important information and clues for the in-situ utilization of resources on the moon.

It is estimated that about 1.9% of the total interstellar carbon is in the form of graphene, whose form 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 stars and the in-situ resource utilization of the moon.

In this study, the research team used the electron-Lamman technique to collect Raman spectroscopy at the relatively high carbon content of the lunar soil samples, confirming that the crystallization quality of graphite carbon in the lunar soil samples is relatively high. Notably, the regions where carbon is present in the lunar soil samples contain iron compounds, which are closely related to the formation of graphene.

The research team also explored and confirmed that the graphite carbon detected in the lunar soil samples was less layer graphene through the comprehensive application of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high Angle ring dark field image and high resolution image of spherical electron microscopy under freezing conditions, energy spectrum and electron energy loss spectrum, flight secondary mass spectrometry and other characterization techniques and rigorous analysis of the test results.

In December 2020, China's lunar probe Chang 'e-5 brought back 1,731 grams of lunar soil sample from the moon, which is the first sample of young volcanic rocks on the lunar surface obtained by humans. As of early June this year, 258 copies of Chang 'e-5 lunar soil samples have been distributed to 114 scientific research teams from 40 scientific research institutions, and more than 70 research results on Chang 'e-5 lunar samples in many fields have been published in important academic journals at home and abroad.

Graphene has excellent mechanical properties and excellent material properties such as strong electrical and thermal conductivity, and its downstream applications mainly cover basic disciplines, new energy batteries, flexible displays, sensors and composite materials.