AMSICE · Astrochemical evolution of ammonium salts in interstellar ices

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Project objective

Interstellar molecular clouds (MCs), the birthplace of stars and planets in space, are essential to the formation of stars and planets and play a key role in the cosmic cycle of matter. In the MCs, a variety of chemical reactions take place, giving rise to a broad spectrum of molecular species, from simple molecules to complex organic compounds (COMs). Ammonium salts, produced by proton transfer in acid-base reactions, play a crucial role in understanding chemical evolution in MCs. Recently, the detection of some ammonium salts in comets has revealed critical perspectives on their presence and potential roles in MCs. They have been proposed as the main carrier of nitrogen in comets and play an significant role in sulfur storage. These have sparked significant interest in the formation and the role of ammonium salts in MCs. Moreover, investigating the possible reactions of ammonium salts presents significant implications for astrochemistry, such as understanding the formation of life-essential components. In this project, I will investigate the possible reactions of ammonium salts in interstellar ice. This will involve conducting specialised astrochemical experiments, integrating them with astrochemical models to understand and predict the physicochemical processes of ammonium salts in interstellar ice. My goal is to explore the chemical behaviors of ammonium salts in interstellar ice, determine their role in the chemical evolution of MCs and understand how they contribute to the formation of COMs in star-forming regions.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN · LeidenCoordinatorNetherlands

Links

• View on CORDIS
• DOI: 10.3030/101275433