Clathrate hydrates in interstellar environment

Ghosh J, Methikkalam RRJ, Bhuin RG, Ragupathy G, Choudhary N, Kumar R, Pradeep T (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America National Academy of Sciences

Book Volume: 116

Pages Range: 1526-1531

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1814293116

Abstract

Clathrate hydrates (CHs) are ubiquitous in earth under high-pressure conditions, but their existence in the interstellar medium (ISM) remains unknown. Here, we report experimental observations of the formation of methane and carbon dioxide hydrates in an environment analogous to ISM. Thermal treatment of solid methane and carbon dioxide–water mixture in ultrahigh vacuum of the order of 10 −10 mbar for extended periods led to the formation of CHs at 30 and 10 K, respectively. High molecular mobility and H bonding play important roles in the entrapment of gases in the in situ formed 5 12 CH cages. This finding implies that CHs can exist in extreme low-pressure environments present in the ISM. These hydrates in ISM, subjected to various chemical processes, may act as sources for relevant prebiotic molecules.

Authors with CRIS profile

Radha Gobinda Bhuin Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II

Involved external institutions

Indian Institute of Technology Madras IN India (IN)

How to cite

APA:

Ghosh, J., Methikkalam, R.R.J., Bhuin, R.G., Ragupathy, G., Choudhary, N., Kumar, R., & Pradeep, T. (2019). Clathrate hydrates in interstellar environment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116(5), 1526-1531. https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1814293116

MLA:

Ghosh, Jyotirmoy, et al. "Clathrate hydrates in interstellar environment." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 116.5 (2019): 1526-1531.

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