Chinese Researchers Discover Natural Graphene in Lunar Soil from Chang'e-5 Mission

Chinese Researchers Discover Natural Graphene in Lunar Soil from Chang’e-5 Mission

In a groundbreaking discovery, Chinese researchers have identified natural few-layer graphene within lunar soil samples brought back by the Chang’e-5 mission.

The collaborative study was conducted by experts from Jilin University, the Institute of Metal Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, and the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration. Their findings were recently published in the journal National Science Review.

This discovery offers unprecedented insights into the moon’s geological activities and evolutionary history. The presence of natural graphene—a material known for its exceptional strength and conductivity—opens new avenues for understanding the complex mineral composition of lunar soil. It also provides valuable information for the potential in-situ utilization of lunar resources, a key consideration for future lunar missions and long-term human presence on the moon.

The researchers propose that the formation of the few-layer graphene and graphite carbon may result from a mineral catalysis process. This process is thought to be jointly induced by the solar wind and ancient volcanic eruptions on the moon, highlighting the dynamic and active nature of lunar geological processes in the past.

Dr. Li Chunlai, a leading scientist involved in the study, stated, “The identification of natural graphene on the moon not only enriches our understanding of lunar geology but also has significant implications for future lunar exploration and the development of lunar resources.”

The Chang’e-5 mission, named after the Chinese moon goddess, successfully returned to Earth with lunar samples in December 2020. This mission marked a significant milestone in China’s lunar exploration program, making it the third country to retrieve lunar samples after the United States and the former Soviet Union.

The discovery underscores the importance of continued international cooperation and research in space exploration, as scientists worldwide seek to unravel the mysteries of the moon and beyond.

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