Atomic-level structural responses of Chang'e-5 ilmenite to space weathering

Space weathering records provide insights to better understand the formation and evolution of the lunar regolith. Ilmenite has contrasting responses to different space weathering processes. However, atomic-scale structural modification of ilmenite induced by different space weathering processes remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the effects of spacing weathering on lunar ilmenite grains returned from Chang’e-5 (CE-5) mission with the combination of transmission electron microscopy and thermodynamic modeling approaches.