AI Article Synopsis
- Space missions are increasingly using probes and silica aerogel dust collectors to return extraterrestrial particles for analysis.
- Researchers have developed a method to detect traces of adenine, a key organic compound, using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), first optimizing the process on glass surfaces before applying it to aerogel.
- The successful trapping and monitoring of gaseous adenine in aerogel can play a crucial role in future Tanpopo missions, which aim to study the transfer of prebiotic organic compounds in space.
Article Abstract
Space missions using probes to return dust samples are becoming more frequent. Dust collectors made of silica aerogel blocks are used to trap and bring back extraterrestrial particles for analysis. In this work, we show that it is possible to detect traces of adenine using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The method was first optimized using adenine deposition on glass slides and in glass wells. After this preliminary step, adenine solution was injected into the silica aerogel. Finally, gaseous adenine was successfully trapped in the aerogel. The presence of traces of adenine was monitored by SERS through its characteristic bands at 732, 1323, and 1458 cm after the addition of the silver Creighton colloid. Such a method can be extended in the frame of Tanpopo missions for studying the interplanetary transfer of prebiotic organic compounds of biological interest.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6958507 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/life9040082 | DOI Listing |
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