Date

Wednesday 01 Oct 2025

Time

16:00 - 16:30

Location

online (see below)

Supervisor

Thanja Lamberts

Jury

Jaco Geuchies

In the interstellar medium, extreme physical conditions lead to the growth of water-rich ice mantles on dust grains, creating catalytic surfaces where much of interstellar chemistry takes place. Ion–molecule reactions are among the most fundamental processes in this environment, driving the formation of key molecular building blocks. In particular, reactions involving C+, its derivatives, HCO+, and larger carbon-bearing species play a big role in the chemical evolution of molecular clouds and in setting the initial conditions for star and planet formation. The charge state of water ice mantles further influences ion interactions, thereby shaping both surface and gas-phase chemistry. This review highlights the significance of these processes by comparing insights from astrochemical modeling and quantum chemical simulations with experimental data and spectroscopic observations, underscoring their importance for understanding the origin and complexity of molecular matter in space. 

To join online:

https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2F...