Characterization of the Micro-Morphology and Compositional Distribution of Chang'e-5 Lunar Soil Mineral Surfaces Using TOF-SIMS.

ABSTRACT: The lunar soil samples returned by China's Chang'e-5 (CE-5) contain valuable information on geological evolutions on the Moon. Herein, by employing high-resolution time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), five rock chip samples from the CE-5 lunar soil are characterized in-depth, which reveal micro-morphological and compositional features. From the elemental/molecular ion distribution images, minerals such as pyroxene, ilmenite, feldspar, K-rich glass, silica, and silicate minerals are identified, along with their occurrence states and distribution results. More importantly, uncommon vesicle-like patterns are probed via TOF-SIMS, which may not be captured by conventional electron microscopy. The possible origins of vesicles are also proposed. Hopefully, these discoveries

SUBMITTER: Song T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11923877 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature