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Research conducted demonstrates the first-ever discovery of naturally occurring graphitic carbon and finely structured single-walled carbon nanotubes in lunar soil, highlighting nature’s capacity to synthesize critical materials under extreme conditions.
A team from a university in northeastern China achieved this milestone while analyzing lunar samples returned by a recent space mission, which for the first time collected specimens from the Moon’s far side in June 2024.
This discovery provides new insights into the complex physical and chemical processes occurring on the lunar surface and offers valuable data for understanding the Moon’s geological history. The findings, published in a scientific journal, suggest they could lead to a revolutionary shift in how we understand carbon science and open new avenues for designing innovative materials in the future.
Using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, the team meticulously examined the samples and identified graphitic carbon for the first time, proposing potential formation mechanisms. Earlier research by the same group identified naturally occurring multilayer graphene in lunar surface samples collected by another recent mission.
Additionally, the study confirmed the presence of single-walled carbon nanotubes formed entirely through natural processes, without human interference. It is believed that their formation may be closely linked to iron-catalyzed reactions influenced by various factors such as micro-meteorite impacts, volcanic activity, and solar wind exposure over the Moon’s history.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes are created by rolling a single layer of graphene into a tube, imparting exceptional electrical, mechanical, and physical properties. They hold promise for enhancing various materials and applications, though widespread production and use remain limited by current manufacturing methods.
The recent mission launched from China on May 3, 2024, and returned to Earth after 53 days, bringing back over 4 ounces of samples from the far side of the Moon—marking a historic achievement in lunar exploration.
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