Chinese researchers have discovered thin layers of carbon called graphene in dust brought back by the Chang’e-5 mission, which could reshape ideas about lunar birth and guide resource plans for future crews. The finding marks the first confirmation of natural few-layer graphene in lunar material.
The discovery was made using a special laser that didn’t damage the material, revealing clear signs of well-formed carbon layers with patterns matching what scientists expect from high-quality graphene. The analysis suggested that the layers were mostly free of damage or flaws and contained stacks of two to seven thin layers, spaced about 0.35 nanometers apart.
The researchers believe that carbon gases carried by solar wind stuck to hot, iron-rich dust and slowly formed layers of graphene. This process could lead to new methods for producing high-quality graphene on a larger scale. The presence of nitrogen, sulfur, and molybdenum in the same grains hints at complex chemical traffic rather than a single impact flash.
The discovery changes the idea that the Moon is dry and formed from a violent crash with early Earth, as previously believed. Instead, it suggests that the Moon may still be capturing carbon, which could change how scientists understand its makeup and history. Future missions that collect deeper samples could help determine if this process happens only on the surface or throughout the Moon.
The study’s findings have implications for future lunar missions, including the potential to harvest graphene alongside oxygen pulled from molten regolith. Sheets of graphene just a few atoms thick could reinforce radiation shields, line supercapacitor electrodes, or filter water inside early lunar habitats.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/china-discovers-carbon-in-moon-samples-that-could-change-the-history-of-its-origins