Neutron Vibrational Spectroscopic Study of the Acetylene:Ammonia (1:1) Cocrystal Relevant to Titan, Saturn’s Moon

Abstract

The surface of Titan, Saturn’s icy moon, is believed to be comprised of various molecular minerals with a great diversity in structure and composition. Under the surface conditions, 93 K and 1.45 atm, most small molecules solidify and form minerals, including acetylene and ammonia. These two compounds can form single-component solids but also a 1:1 binary cocrystal that exhibits intriguing rotor phase behavior. This cocrystal is a putative mineral on Titan and other planetary bodies such as comets. In addition, the structure of the cocrystal is relevant to fundamental science as it can help better understand the emergence of rotor phases. Here we present a detailed vibrational neutron spectroscopic study supported by neutron powder diffraction study on the cocrystal and the single-phase solids. The experimentally observed spectral bands were assigned based on theoretical calculations. The established spectra–properties correlations for the cocrystal corroborate the observed properties. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first example of the application of neutron vibrational spectroscopy in studying Titan-relevant organic minerals.