Interaction analysis of amino acids on defects of the pyrite surface by atomic force microscopy

Abstract

The mineral surfaces are considered to be the reaction field for the concentration polymerization of amino acids in the chemical evolution described in the origin of life. Among minerals, pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral on Earth, and the strong adsorption between defects on the pyrite surface and amino acids may cause the polymerization of amino acids. However, the details such as the adhesion state of amino acids remain unexplained. In this study, the adhesion state is elucidated by the adhesion forces between a single amino acid and a defect on the pyrite surface.