A Fusion-Growth Protocell Model Based on Vesicle Interactions with Pyrite Particles

Protocell models play a pivotal role in the exploration of the origin of life. Vesicles are one type of protocell model that have attracted much attention. Simple single-chain amphiphiles (SACs) and organic small molecules (OSMs) possess primitive relevance and were most likely the building blocks of protocells on the early Earth. OSM@SAC vesicles have been considered to be plausible protocell models. Pyrite (FeS₂), a mineral with primitive relevance, is ubiquitous in nature and plays a crucial role in the exploration of the origin of life in the mineral-water interface scenario. "How do protocell models based on OSM@SAC vesicles interact with a mineral-water interface scenario that simulates a primitive Earth environment" remains an unresolved question. Hence, we select primitive relevant sodium monododecyl phosphate (SDP), isopentenol (IPN) and pyrite (FeS₂) mineral particles to build a protocell model. The model investigates the basic physical and chemical properties of FeS₂ particles and reveals the effects of the size, content and duration of interaction of FeS₂ particles on IPN@SDP vesicles. This deepens the understanding of protocell growth mechanisms in scenarios of mineral-water interfaces in primitive Earth environments and provides new information for the exploration of the origin of life.