Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Acetonitrile (CH 3 CN) is a key nitrogen-bearing molecule detected in a variety of astrophysical environments and is considered a potential precursor of prebiotic compounds. The study aimed to investigate the stability and radiation chemistry of 56 Fe 10+ ions at the Grand Accélérateur National d’Ions Lourds (GANIL). In situ FTIR spectroscopy revealed efficient molecular destruction accompanied by the formation of several nitrogen-bearing species, including HCN, H 2 C═C═NH, CH 2 CHNC, CH 3 CH═NH, H 2 C═NH, NCCN, and NH 3 with possible contributions from the C–H such as CH 4 and C–H stretching of HC 3 N and, to a lesser extent, the N–H stretch of ketenimine (H 2 C═C═NH). The apparent destruction cross section of CH 3 CN was found to be (2.3 ± 0.8) × 10 –12 cm 2 at 10 K and (5.6 ± 1.0)×10 –12 cm 2 at 80 K, indicating more extensive radiolytic processing at higher temperatures. Enhanced radical mobility at 80 K promotes hydrogenation and polymerization, leading to a refractory C–N–rich residue, whereas at 10 K intramolecular isomerization dominates. These results demonstrate that swift heavy-ion irradiation of nitrile ices efficiently produces small nitriles, isonitriles, and polyimines of astrochemical interest, supporting the role of CH 3 CN as a hidden precursor to prebiotic organic matter in interstellar and planetary ices.
Source: ACS Earth and Space Chemistry
Institutions: Federal Center for Technological Education Celso Suckow da Fonseca, University of Trento, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, Normandie Université, Centre de Recherche sur les Ions, les Matériaux et la Photonique, Université de Caen Normandie, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W7128806133