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Synthesis of hcn and hnc in ion-irradiated n2-rich ices
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Moore, M. H. Ferrante, R. F. Hudson, R. L. |
| Copyright Year | 2002 |
| Description | Near-IR observations reveal that N2-rich ice containing small amounts of CH4, and CO, is abundant on the surfaces of Triton, a moon of Neptune, and Pluto. N2-rich ices may also exist, in interstellar environments. To investigate the radiation chemistry of such ices we performed a systematic IR study of ion-irradiated Nz-rich mixtures containing CH4 and CO. Irradiation of N2 + CH4 mixtures at 12 K, showed that HCN, HNC, diazomethane, and NH3 were produced. We also found that UV photolysis of these ices produced detectable HCN and HNC. Intrinsic band strengths, A(HCN) and A(HNC), were measured and used to calculate yields of HCN and HNC. Similar results were obtained on irradiation of N2 + CH4 + CO ices at 12 K, with the main difference being the formation of HNCO. In all cases we observed changes on warming. For example, when the temperature of irradiated Nz + CH4 + CO was raised from 12 to 30 K, HCN, HNC, and HNCO reacted with NH3, and OCN-, CN-, N3-, and NH4+ were produced. These ions, appearing at 30 K, are expected to form and survive on the surfaces of Triton, Pluto, and interstellar grains. Our results have astrobiological implications since some of these radiation products are involved in the syntheses of biomolecules such as amino acids and peptides. |
| File Size | 356568 |
| Page Count | 5 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20030058927 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t6935sh88 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2002-11-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Astrophysics Methane Carbon Dioxide Ice Biochemistry Nitrogen Near Infrared Radiation Ammonia Ultraviolet Radiation Ion Irradiation Hydrocyanic Acid Photolysis Chemical Composition Interstellar Matter Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
