Chinese researchers discover naturally occurring few-layer graphene in the Chang’e-5 lunar samples for 1st time
Global Times
Chinese researchers have recently discovered a naturally occurring few-layer graphene for the first time in the lunar samples brought back by Chang’e-5 probe, which provides new insights into the moon’s geological activities, evolutionary history, and environmental characteristics, broadening understanding of the complex mineral composition of lunar soil and offering important information and clues for resource utilization on the moon.
According to the research team from Jilin University, it is estimated that approximately 1.9 percent of the total interstellar carbon exists in the form of graphene, whose morphology and properties are determined by a specific formation process. Therefore, natural graphene can provide important reference and information for the geological evolution of celestial bodies and the in-situ resource utilization on the moon.
The researchers found that areas of the lunar soil samples containing carbon also contain iron compounds, which the researchers believe is closely related to the formation of graphene.
Through observation and analysis, the research team confirmed that the graphite form of carbon detected in the lunar soil samples is a type of few-layer graphene.
The research team confirmed that the formation of few-layer graphene and graphite carbon may originate from mineral catalytic processes induced jointly by the solar wind and early volcanic eruptions on the moon.
It is interesting that these have not been discovered in previous Lunar rock samples, why should this be the case? It will be revealing to compare with the Chang’e-6 samples (which should be almost home by now) to see if this new type of graphene is ubiquitous on the Lunar surface or an anomaly.
In my opinion, they left out a more probable cause, elemental transmutation by plasma discharge across the lightning scarred face of the Moon.
China's Chang'e-6 probe successfully returns to Earth
https://youtu.be/3fUYDOfDjE0
There is some more information on the Chang'e-6 mission samples here:
Chang’e-6 expected to bring back basalt from moon’s far side from 2.5 billion years ago: study
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202406/1314764.shtml