New Insights in the Production of Simulated Moon Agglutinates: the Use of Natural Zeolite-Bearing Rocks

Two natural zeolite-bearing rocks (one containing clinoptilolite and the other chabazite, phillipsite, and analcime) were Fe-exchanged and thermally treated in a reducing atmosphere at 750 °C for 2 h. Two nanocomposites, formed by the dispersion of Fe nanoparticles in a ceramic matrix, were obtained. The prepared lunar dust simulants also contain Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ and other mineral phases originally present in the starting materials. The samples were fully characterized by different techniques such as atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, followed by Rietveld analysis, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption/desorption analysis at 77 K, measurements of grain size distribution, magnetic property measurements, broad-band dielectric spectroscopy, and DC conductivity measurements. The results of this characterization showed that the obtained metal–ceramic nanocomposites exhibit a chemical and mineralogical composition and electrical and magnetic properties similar to real moon dust and, thus, appear valid moon dust simulants.