Diagnostics of Nitrogen-methane Atmospheric Glow Discharge Used for a Mimic of Prebiotic Atmosphere

Authors

  • V. Mazánková Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 612 00 Brno
  • L. Töröková Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 612 00 Brno
  • D. Trunec Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno
  • F. Krčma Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 612 00 Brno
  • S. Matejčík Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, 842 48 Bratislava
  • N. J. Mason Department of Physical Sciences, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14311/ppt.2017.1.83

Keywords:

prebiotic atmosphere, Fourier Transform Infra Red spectroscopy, glow discharge

Abstract

The exploration of planetary atmosphere is being advanced by the exciting results of the Cassin-Huygens mission to Titan. The complex chemistry revealed in such atmospheres leading to the synthesis of bigger molecules is providing new insights into our understanding of how life on Earth developed. This work extends our previous investigation of nitrogen-methane (N2-CH4) atmospheric glow discharge for simulation chemical processes in prebiotic atmospheres. In presented experiments 2 % of water vapor were addet to nitrogen-methane gas mixture. Exhaust products of discharge in this gas mixture were in-situ analysed by Fourier Transform Infra Red spectroscopy (FTIR). The major products identified in spectra were: hydrogen cyanide, acetylene and acetonitrile.

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2017-10-15

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