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Published on: June 5, 2014
Meteorite nanoparticles as models for interstellar grains: synthesis and preliminary characterisation
M N Mautner1, V Abdelsayed, M S El-Shall
1Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23284, USA.
Faraday Discussions
|December 29, 2006
Summary
Meteorite-derived nanoparticles mimic interstellar dust, aiding lab simulations of gas-grain interactions crucial for understanding star and solar system formation.
Area of Science:
- Astrochemistry
- Planetary Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Gas-grain interactions are fundamental to star and solar nebula formation.
- Laboratory simulations require accurate models of interstellar dust grains.
- Meteorite-derived nanoparticles offer a promising analogue for interstellar dust.
Purpose of the Study:
- To produce and characterize meteorite-derived nanoparticles for laboratory simulations.
- To investigate the gas-grain interaction properties of these nanoparticles.
- To compare their infrared spectra with interstellar dust observations.
Main Methods:
- Laser desorption/controlled condensation for nanoparticle synthesis from meteorites.
- Polarisation Modulation Reflection-Absorption Infrared Spectroscopy (PM-RAIRS) for spectral analysis.
- Ultrahigh Vacuum (UHV) Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) to study CO adsorption.
Main Results:
- Synthesized nanoparticle aggregates exhibit porous, web-like structures similar to interstellar dust.
- PM-RAIRS spectra show similarities to silicate bands observed in interstellar dust.
- CO binding energy on meteorite nanoparticles was determined to be 13.5 ± 3.0 kJ/mol.
Conclusions:
- Meteorite-derived nanoparticles are suitable analogues for laboratory studies of interstellar dust.
- These nanoparticles possess large specific surface areas for gas-grain interactions.
- The obtained thermochemical data are valuable for computational modeling of astrochemical processes.
