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Hager TJ, Moore BM, Borengasser QD, Kanaherarachchi AC, Renshaw KT, Radhakrishnan S, Hall GE, Broderick BM. Buffer gas cooled ice chemistry. II. Ice generation and mm-wave detection of molecules desorbed from an ice. J Chem Phys 2024; 161:094201. [PMID: 39225516 DOI: 10.1063/5.0225903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This second paper in a series of two describes the chirped-pulse ice apparatus that permits the detection of buffer gas cooled molecules desorbed from an energetically processed ice using broadband mm-wave rotational spectroscopy. Here, we detail the lower ice stage developed to generate ices at 4 K, which can then undergo energetic processing via UV/VUV photons or high-energy electrons and which ultimately enter the gas phase via temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Over the course of TPD, the lower ice stage is interfaced with a buffer gas cooling cell that allows for sensitive detection via chirped-pulse rotational spectroscopy in the 60-90 GHz regime. In addition to a detailed description of the ice component of this apparatus, we show proof-of-principle experiments demonstrating the detection of H2CO products formed through irradiation of neat methanol ices or 1:1 CO + CH4 mixed ices.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Hager
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65203, USA
| | - B M Moore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65203, USA
| | - Q D Borengasser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65203, USA
| | - A C Kanaherarachchi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65203, USA
| | - K T Renshaw
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65203, USA
| | - S Radhakrishnan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65203, USA
| | - G E Hall
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - B M Broderick
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65203, USA
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2
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Borengasser Q, Hager T, Kanaherarachchi A, Troya D, Broderick BM. Conformer-Specific Desorption in Propanol Ices Probed by Chirped-Pulse Millimeter-Wave Rotational Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem Lett 2023:6550-6555. [PMID: 37450900 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
We present a new technique for the detection of molecules desorbed from an ice surface using broad-band millimeter-wave rotational spectroscopy. The approach permits interrogation of molecules that have undergone the slow warmup process of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), analogous to the warmup phase of icy grains in the interstellar medium as they approach the central protostar. The detection is conformer- and isomer-specific and quantitative, as afforded by chirped-pulse rotational spectroscopy. To achieve this, we combine ice TPD with buffer gas cooling, followed by detection in the millimeter-wave regime. In this report we examine the TPD profiles of n- and i-propanol, the former of which may be in five different conformational isomeric forms, and which display distinct desorption profiles. The limited conformational isomerization and temperature-dependent relative yields of n-propanol conformers observed show that the desorption is highly conformer-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Borengasser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Travis Hager
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Anudha Kanaherarachchi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Diego Troya
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Bernadette M Broderick
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
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3
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Zhu C, Wang H, Medvedkov I, Marks J, Xu M, Yang J, Yang T, Pan Y, Kaiser RI. Exploitation of Synchrotron Radiation Photoionization Mass Spectrometry in the Analysis of Complex Organics in Interstellar Model Ices. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:6875-6882. [PMID: 35861849 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Unravelling the generation of complex organic molecules (COMs) on interstellar nanoparticles (grains) is essential in establishing predictive astrochemical reaction networks and recognizing evolution stages of molecular clouds and star-forming regions. The formation of COMs has been associated with the irradiation of interstellar ices by ultraviolet photons and galactic cosmic rays. Herein, we pioneer the first incorporation of synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SVUV-PI-ReTOF-MS) in laboratory astrophysics simulation experiments to afford an isomer-selective identification of key COMs (ketene (H2C═CO); acetaldehyde (CH3CHO); vinyl alcohol (H2C═CHOH)) based on photoionization efficiency (PIE) curves of molecules desorbing from exposed carbon monoxide-methane (CO-CH4) ices. Our results demonstrate that the SVUV-PI-ReTOF-MS approach represents a versatile, rapid methodology for a comprehensive identification and explicit understanding of the complex organics produced in space simulation experiments. This methodology is expected to significantly improve the predictive nature of astrochemical models of complex organic molecules formed abiotically in deep space, including biorelated species linked to the origins-of-life topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Hailing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Iakov Medvedkov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Joshua Marks
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Minggao Xu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029, P.R. China
| | - Jiuzhong Yang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029, P.R. China
| | - Tao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, P.R. China
| | - Yang Pan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029, P.R. China
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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4
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Bazsó G, Csonka IP, Góbi S, Tarczay G. VIZSLA-Versatile Ice Zigzag Sublimation Setup for Laboratory Astrochemistry. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:124104. [PMID: 34972403 DOI: 10.1063/5.0061762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this article, a new multi-functional high-vacuum astrophysical ice setup, VIZSLA (Versatile Ice Zigzag Sublimation Setup for Laboratory Astrochemistry), is introduced. The instrument allows for the investigation of astrophysical processes both in a low-temperature para-H2 matrix and in astrophysical analog ices. In the para-H2 matrix, the reaction of astrochemical molecules with H atoms and H+ ions can be studied effectively. For the investigation of astrophysical analog ices, the setup is equipped with various irradiation and particle sources: an electron gun for modeling cosmic rays, an H atom beam source, a microwave H atom lamp for generating H Lyman-α radiation, and a tunable (213-2800 nm) laser source. For analysis, an FT-IR (and a UV-visible) spectrometer and a quadrupole mass analyzer are available. The setup has two cryostats, offering novel features for analysis. Upon the so-called temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), the molecules, desorbing from the substrate of the first cryogenic head, can be mixed with Ar and can be deposited onto the substrate of the other cryogenic head. The efficiency of the redeposition was measured to be between 8% and 20% depending on the sample and the redeposition conditions. The well-resolved spectrum of the molecules isolated in an Ar matrix serves a unique opportunity to identify the desorbing products of a processed ice. Some examples are provided to show how the para-H2 matrix experiments and the TPD-matrix-isolation recondensation experiments can help understand astrophysically important chemical processes at low temperatures. It is also discussed how these experiments can complement the studies carried out by using similar astrophysical ice setups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Bazsó
- Wigner Research Centre for Physics, P.O. Box 49, H-1525 Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Pál Csonka
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Laboratory Astrochemistry Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, H-1518 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Góbi
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Laboratory Astrochemistry Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, H-1518 Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Tarczay
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Laboratory Astrochemistry Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, H-1518 Budapest, Hungary
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5
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Fulvio D, Potapov A, He J, Henning T. Astrochemical Pathways to Complex Organic and Prebiotic Molecules: Experimental Perspectives for In Situ Solid-State Studies. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11060568. [PMID: 34204233 PMCID: PMC8235774 DOI: 10.3390/life11060568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A deep understanding of the origin of life requires the physical, chemical, and biological study of prebiotic systems and the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying their evolutionary steps. In this context, great attention is paid to the class of interstellar molecules known as "Complex Organic Molecules" (COMs), considered as possible precursors of prebiotic species. Although COMs have already been detected in different astrophysical environments (such as interstellar clouds, protostars, and protoplanetary disks) and in comets, the physical-chemical mechanisms underlying their formation are not yet fully understood. In this framework, a unique contribution comes from laboratory experiments specifically designed to mimic the conditions found in space. We present a review of experimental studies on the formation and evolution of COMs in the solid state, i.e., within ices of astrophysical interest, devoting special attention to the in situ detection and analysis techniques commonly used in laboratory astrochemistry. We discuss their main strengths and weaknesses and provide a perspective view on novel techniques, which may help in overcoming the current experimental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Fulvio
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Salita Moiariello 16, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (T.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexey Potapov
- Laboratory Astrophysics Group of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Solid State Physics, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Jiao He
- Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (T.H.)
| | - Thomas Henning
- Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (T.H.)
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6
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Potapov A, McCoustra M. Physics and chemistry on the surface of cosmic dust grains: a laboratory view. INT REV PHYS CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/0144235x.2021.1918498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Potapov
- Laboratory Astrophysics Group of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin McCoustra
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
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7
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Thripati S, Ramabhadran RO. Pathways for the Formation of Formamide, a Prebiotic Biomonomer: Metal-Ions in Interstellar Gas-Phase Chemistry. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:3457-3472. [PMID: 33861935 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c02132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The chemistry occurring in the interstellar medium (ISM) is an active area of contemporary research. New aspects of interstellar chemistry are getting unraveled regularly. In this context, the role of metal-ions in the chemistry occurring in the ISM is not well-studied so far. Herein, we highlight the role of metal-ions in interstellar chemistry. For this purpose, we choose the problem of gas-phase formamide formation in interstellar molecular clouds. Formamide is a key biomonomer and contains the simplest peptide [-(C═O)-NH-] linkage. With its two electronegative atoms ("O" and "N"), it provides an excellent platform to probe the role of the metal-ions. The metal-ions chosen are Na+, K+, Al+, Mg+, and Mg2+-all of them present in the ISM. The metal-ions are studied in three different forms as bare positively charged ions, as hydrated metal-ions co-ordinated with a molecule of water, and when the metal-ions are part of a neutral covalent molecule. With the aid of electronic structure calculations [CCSD(T) and DFT methods], we study different gas-phase pathways which result in the generation of interstellar formamide. Throughout our study, we find that metal-ions lower the barriers (with Mg+, Mg++, and Al+ offering maximal stabilization of the transition states) and facilitate the reactions. The chemical factors influencing the reactions, how we consider the putative conditions in the ISM, the astrochemical implications of this study, and its connection with terrestrial prebiotic chemistry and refractory astrochemistry are subsequently presented. Based on our results, we also recommend the detection of two new closed-shell molecules, NH2CH2OH (aminomethanol) and CH2NH2+ (iminium ion), and two open-shell molecules, CONH2 (carbamyl radical) and HCONH (an isomer of carbamyl radical), in the ISM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorakayala Thripati
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati Andhra Pradesh 517507, India.,Center for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences and Technologies (CAMOST), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517507, India
| | - Raghunath O Ramabhadran
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati Andhra Pradesh 517507, India.,Center for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences and Technologies (CAMOST), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517507, India
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8
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McCoy AB. Virtual Issue on New Tools and Methods in Physical Chemistry Research. J Phys Chem A 2020; 124:4323-4324. [PMID: 32493016 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.0c04262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne B McCoy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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