Project description
Exploring the chemistry of star-forming ices
Dense gas regions in galaxies, where stars and planets form, are rich in molecules that hold clues about cosmic chemistry. Two such molecules, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen isocyanide, are key tracers of temperature and gas density. They are also vital precursors to prebiotic compounds like amino acids and nucleotides. While their formation in the gas phase is well understood, how they form and break apart on icy surfaces in space remains unknown. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ICE-CN project will study the interaction of CN radicals with water and CO ices. Using advanced computational tools and astrochemical models, the project investigates these processes, shedding light on the role of surface chemistry in star-forming regions.
Objective
HCN and HNC are routinely used by astronomers to trace temperature and dense gas regions in galaxies, where stars and planetary systems form. They are key precursors of complex species, including prebiotic molecules like amino acids and nucleotides. While their gas-phase formation and evolution are well understood, their formation and destruction paths on interstellar ices remains largely unchartered territory.
The aim of this proposal is to remedy this knowledge gap by investigating the formation of HCN and HNC through CN radical hydrogenation on interstellar water and CO ices, as well as their destruction paths using state-of-the-art computational chemistry and astrochemical modelling. Including, in all cases, their deuterated counterparts. It also presents an opportunity to study the interaction of CN radicals with ice surfaces, which can occur either through physisorption or hemibonding on both types of ices. The four primary objectives of this proposal are: (i) to explore the CN to water and CO ice binding energy distribution as well as the dominant binding modes, (ii) to quantify the hydrogenation reactions of CN with atomic and molecular hydrogen forming HCN and HNC, as well as other possible hydrogenation products due to the hemibonding interactions, (iii) to investigate the destruction of the products in the previous point resulting from further hydrogenation reactions, and finally, (iv) to calculate the rate constants, including quantum tunnelling, and implement these in the UCLCHEM astrochemical model to assess the importance of surface chemistry in two specific cases: the shocked region L1157-B1 and the NGC1068 galaxy.
The novelty of this proposal lies in the combination of computational chemistry and astrochemical modelling to unveil the ice-surface formation and evolution of HCN and HNC and their deuterated counterparts for the first time, encompassing a comprehensive characterization of the CN to water and CO hemibonding interaction.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.