Ice has long been considered a vital component in the development of life on Earth. The crystalline structure of ice provides a unique environment where organic molecules can be concentrated, potentially leading to the formation of life. However, the methods currently used to study organic molecules in ice have limitations that affect the sensitivity of measurements.
A team of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China has developed a new method for detecting microstructural changes in water ice using organic phosphorescent probes and phosphorescence spectroscopy. This innovative approach focuses on emission-based techniques rather than absorption-based spectroscopic methods commonly used in the past.
The researchers utilized a phosphorescent probe, acridinium iodide (ADI), to monitor the microstructural changes in water ice. By examining the hydration state of the probe, they were able to distinguish between crystalline and glassy ice formations. In amorphous ice, the probe exhibited long-lived phosphorescence, while in ordered crystalline ice, the phosphorescence was short-lived due to molecular aggregation.
The team also investigated the effects of adding organic molecules, such as ethylene glycol (EG), to water ice containing the ADI probe. They found that even trace amounts of EG could alter the microstructure of the ice, leading to the transformation of ADI molecules from undissolved aggregates to dissolved ion states. This reveals the significant impact of organic molecules on the crystalline order of water ice.
To confirm their findings, the researchers utilized low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM) images and low-temperature Raman (LT-Raman) spectra. These additional techniques supported the conclusions drawn from phosphorescence spectroscopy, providing a comprehensive analysis of the microstructural changes in water ice induced by the presence of organic molecules.
This study offers a new technical approach for studying the interactions between water, ice, and organic molecules at lower concentrations and across wider temperature ranges. By employing phosphorescence spectroscopy, researchers can now more easily detect and analyze the morphological differences in water-ice microstructures when various organic compounds are introduced.
The research conducted by the team from USTC sheds light on the crucial role of ice in the emergence of life and demonstrates the impact of organic molecules on water-ice microstructures. Their innovative use of organic phosphorescent probes and phosphorescence spectroscopy opens up new possibilities for studying complex interactions at a molecular level. This groundbreaking work paves the way for further exploration into the fundamental processes that may have contributed to the development of life on Earth.
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