Researchers from the University of Virginia, including Huanyu Ren, D. Archie Stewart, Gabi Wenzel, Thomas H. Speak, Martin S. Holdren, Reace H. J. Willis, and Brett A. McGuire, have recently published a study in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. Their work focuses on the search for specific nitrogen-containing molecules in space, which could have implications for understanding the chemistry of the interstellar medium and, by extension, the energy industry’s pursuit of novel materials and processes.
The team conducted laboratory measurements of the rotational spectra of two molecules, 9-iminofluorene and benzophenone imine, in the 6-18 GHz frequency range. These measurements provided accurate rotational, centrifugal distortion, and nitrogen-14 quadrupole coupling constants for both molecules. Using these constants, the researchers attempted to detect these molecules in the cold molecular cloud TMC-1 using the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). However, neither of the two molecules was detected above the current noise level, establishing upper limits for their column densities.
The researchers also searched for phenylmethanimine, the simplest aromatic aldimine, but neither of its isomers was detected in TMC-1. To understand these non-detections, the team proposed and evaluated different formation pathways using high-precision quantum chemical calculations. Their findings suggest that there might be an entrance barrier to forming the intermediate species, which could explain the low abundance of these molecules in the interstellar medium.
While this research is primarily focused on astrochemistry, it has potential implications for the energy industry. Understanding the chemistry of nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can provide insights into the formation and behavior of similar compounds on Earth. These compounds are often found in fossil fuels and can have significant impacts on combustion processes and emissions. Furthermore, the development of accurate spectroscopic techniques and quantum chemical calculations can aid in the characterization and design of novel materials for energy applications, such as catalysts and energy storage devices.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.