This article explores the role of iron sulfides, particularly in the form of mackinawite, in catalyzing prebiotic chemical reactions that may have contributed to the origin of life in terrestrial hot springs on early Earth. Researchers synthesized and tested nanoscale iron sulfides, including variants doped with elements like manganese and cobalt, under simulated conditions (80–120°C) to catalyze the hydrogen-driven reduction of carbon dioxide into organic molecules like methanol. The study revealed that manganese-doped sulfides exhibited enhanced catalytic activity, further amplified by sunlight and water vapor. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the team found that these sulfides reduced activation energy and mimicked modern metabolic enzymes. This research emphasizes terrestrial hot springs as plausible sites for the emergence of life and offers a new perspective for studying prebiotic chemistry and potential extraterrestrial life.
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