Abstract
This study presents multiwall and bamboo-like carbon nanotubes found in samples from the Allende carbonaceous chondrite using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). A highly disordered lattice observed in this material suggests the presence of chiral domains in it. Our results also show amorphous and poorly-graphitized carbon, nanodiamonds, and onion-like fullerenes. The presence of multiwall and bamboo-like carbon nanotubes have important implications for hypotheses that explain how a probable source of asymmetry in carbonaceous chondrites might have contributed to the enantiomeric excess in soluble organics under extraterrestrial scenarios. This is the first study proving the existence of carbon nanotubes in carbonaceous chondrites.
Highlights
Carbonaceous chondrites (CCs) show a variety of organic compounds formed in the early solar system [1]
We examine samples of the Allende chondrite using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) in order to identified carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
The results of HRTEM analysis show a suite of macromolecular components such as poorlygraphitized carbon, amorphous carbon, nanodiamonds, fullerenes, and core-shell structures formed by monocrystalline olivine or pentlandite grains capped by polyhedral graphite layers (Fig 1D–1H)
Summary
Carbonaceous chondrites (CCs) show a variety of organic compounds formed in the early solar system [1]. The parent bodies of CCs are thought to have originated when remnant material was accreted to form planetesimals in protoplanetary disks [5]. A variety of post-accretional processes occur on the parent bodies of CCs, including aqueous and thermal alteration [6,7]. The Allende meteorite is a Vigarano type chondrite (CV) with a nearly pristine condition (petrologic type 3) [8,9].
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