Finding graphene on the Moon could challenge current theories

During their study of the material brought back from the Moon by the Chang'e-5 probe in December 2020, Chinese scientists made a fascinating discovery. They identified naturally occurring multilayer graphene in lunar soil samples, marking the first discovery of its kind in the history of Moon research.

This information was reported by the state news agency Global Times, highlighting the potential significance of this discovery for future plans to use lunar resources by humanity, according to the specialised website futurism.com.

Graphene, a material consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure, has fascinated scientists for years due to its unique properties. Discovering its naturally occurring form on the Moon opens up new research perspectives. It could have far-reaching consequences for our understanding of geological processes occurring on the surface of Earth's satellite.

The research team from Jilin University, led by a group of experienced scientists, published their findings in the prestigious journal National Science Review. In this article, the researchers presented a detailed analysis of the found material and its potential implications for existing theories about the Moon's formation and evolution.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this discovery is its potential to challenge the long-held theory of the Moon's formation. According to the dominant view, the Silver Globe was formed due to a collision between a small planet comparable to Mars and the young Earth about 4.45 billion years ago. This theory, known as the giant-impact hypothesis, assumes that most of the carbon present on the Moon came from this catastrophic event.

However, as Chinese scientists point out, the presence of naturally occurring graphene on the Moon's surface suggests a carbon-capture process that could have led to the gradual accumulation of this element on the Silver Globe. This observation may require fundamentally reshaping our understanding of the Moon's chemical composition and geological history.

The research team used an advanced chemical analysis technique known as Raman spectroscopy to confirm their discovery. This non-invasive method allowed for the precise identification of the graphene structure in the studied samples. The scientists confirmed the presence of multilayer graphene, composed of two to ten layers of carbon atoms. Interestingly, this form of graphene can also be produced under laboratory conditions on Earth.

The researchers hypothesised about the possible origin of lunar graphene. According to their theory, this material could have formed due to prolonged exposure to the solar wind on the Moon's surface. Additionally, early volcanic eruptions on the Silver Globe could have contributed to the formation of this unique carbon structure.

This discovery questions not only the giant-impact hypothesis but also our existing beliefs about the Moon's chemical composition. The presence of pure "native carbon" on the surface of Earth's satellite may require a revision of the hypothesis that the Moon was formed due to a planetary collision 4.45 billion years ago.

However, researchers from Jilin University are cautious in their conclusions. They acknowledge that the role of meteorites in the formation of graphite carbon on the Moon's surface cannot be entirely ruled out. Previous studies suggested the possibility of such a scenario, and the discovery does not unequivocally exclude this possibility.

The research team emphasises the need for further in-depth analyses of natural lunar graphene properties. Such studies could provide valuable information about the Silver Globe's geological evolution and shed new light on the processes occurring on its surface over billions of years.