The Lunar Soil Of Chang'E-5 Is Rich In Iron, Titanium and Other Materials

Recently, the team of Academician Zou Zhigang and Professor Yao Yingfang of Nanjing University cooperated with the China Academy of Space Technology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), and the University of Science and Technology of China to make progress in lunar soil research.

As one of the most abundant resources on the moon, lunar soil is an important part of the in-situ utilization of lunar resources as a catalytic material for extraterrestrial artificial photosynthesis. According to Yao Yingfang, head of the Lunar Sample Laboratory and a professor at the College of Modern Engineering and Applied Science at Nanjing University, lunar soil or its extracted components as artificial light synthesis catalysts on the moon can greatly reduce the payload and cost of spacecraft compared with catalysts on Earth.

The research team analyzed the element composition and mineral structure of chang 'e-5 lunar soil in detail, evaluated the artificial light synthesis performance of chang 'e-5 lunar soil from three aspects of photovoltaic electrolysis, photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis, and proposed feasible lunar artificial light synthesis strategy based on the artificial light synthesis performance of chang 'e-5 lunar soil. This has laid the material foundation for the realization of "zero energy consumption" lunar life support system.

"Chang 'e-5 lunar soil is a very young basalt on the lunar surface, a mineral rich in iron, titanium and other catalysts commonly used in artificial light synthesis." Yao said there are about 24 main crystal components in the lunar soil, including eight ilmenite, titanium oxide, hydroxyapatite and a variety of iron-based compounds as good catalysts for artificial light synthesis. At the same time, the surface of lunar soil is rich in micropores and vesicles, which further improve the catalytic performance of lunar soil.