A

Roadmap on carbon molecular nanostructures in space

The European Physical Journal D, vol. 79

Abstract

Abstract In this roadmap article, we consider the main challenges and recent breakthroughs in understanding the role of carbon molecular nanostructures in space and propose future avenues of research. The focus lies on small carbon-containing molecules up to fullerenes, extending to even larger, more complex organic species. The roadmap contains forty contributions from scientists with leading expertise in observational astronomy, laboratory astrophysics/chemistry, astrobiology, theoretical chemistry, synthetic chemistry, molecular reaction dynamics, material science, spectroscopy, graph theory, and data science. The concerted interdisciplinary combination of the state-of-the-art of these astronomical, laboratory, and theoretical studies opens up new ways to advance the fundamental understanding of the physics and chemistry of cosmic carbon molecular nanostructures and touches on their wider relevance and impact in nanotechnology and catalysis. Graphical abstract A collection of carbon atoms on the road to a fullerene

Authors 97

  1. Tianjin University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, Center for Joint Quantum Studies, School of Science, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300072, China

  2. Universidad de La Laguna · Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

    Affiliation as printed

    Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísica Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Vía Láctea s/n, 38205, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

  3. Ewha Womans University · University of Edinburgh

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea

    School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, Scotland, UK

  4. Doğuş University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dogus University, 34775, Istanbul, Türkiye

  5. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives · Normandie Université · Centre de Recherche sur les Ions, les Matériaux et la Photonique · Université de Caen Normandie

    Affiliation as printed

    Centre de Recherche sur les Ions, les Materiaux et la Photonique, ENSICAEN, UNICAEN, CEA, CNRS, CIMAP, Normandie University, 14000, Caen, France

  6. Max Planck Institute for Astronomy · Friedrich Schiller University Jena

    Affiliation as printed

    Laboratory Astrophysics Group, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Institute of Solid State Physics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743, Jena, Germany

  7. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel · Nantes Université

    Affiliation as printed

    CNRS, Institut des Materiaux de Nantes Jean Rouxel, Nantes Université, Nantes, France

  8. Jožef Stefan Institute · Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School

    Affiliation as printed

    Joz̆ef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  9. University of British Columbia · University of Hong Kong

    Affiliation as printed

    University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

  10. Western University · Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N5X 3R3, Canada

    SETI Institute, 339 Bernardo Ave, Suite 200, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA

    The Institute for Earth and Space Exploration, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N5X 3R3, Canada

  11. Western University · Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N5X 3R3, Canada

    SETI Institute, 339 Bernardo Ave, Suite 200, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA

    The Institute for Earth and Space Exploration, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N5X 3R3, Canada

  12. Leiden University · Space Telescope Science Institute · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, PO Box 9513, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA

  13. Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, PO Box 9513, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands

  14. Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, PO Box 9513, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands

  15. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Universidad de La Laguna · Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

    Affiliation as printed

    Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain

    Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísica Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Vía Láctea s/n, 38205, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

  16. ACRI Group (France)

    Affiliation as printed

    CERGA, ACRI-ST, 260 Route du Pin Montard, 06904, Sophia Antopolis, France

  17. ACRI Group (France)

    Affiliation as printed

    CERGA, ACRI-ST, 260 Route du Pin Montard, 06904, Sophia Antopolis, France

  18. Ewha Womans University · University of Edinburgh

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea

    School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, Scotland, UK

  19. Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, PO Box 9513, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands

  20. Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, PO Box 9513, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands

  21. European Southern Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Cordova 3107, Santiago, Chile

  22. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Université Paris-Saclay · Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale

    Affiliation as printed

    CNRS, Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France

    CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France

  23. Universität Innsbruck

    Affiliation as printed

    Institut für Astro- und Teilchenphysik, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25/8, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

  24. Keele University

    Affiliation as printed

    Lennard–Jones Laboratories, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, UK

  25. University of Colorado Boulder · Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

    Affiliation as printed

    Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA

  26. Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Astronomy, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Tehran, 9395-5531, Iran

  27. Ames Research Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Space Science and Astrobiology Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA

  28. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier · Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie · Université de Toulouse

    Affiliation as printed

    CNRS, CNES, UPS, Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse, 9 Av. du colonel Roche, 31028, Toulouse, France

  29. Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari · National Institute for Astrophysics

    Affiliation as printed

    Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), 09047, Selargius, Italy

  30. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Université Paris-Saclay · Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay

    Affiliation as printed

    CNRS, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405, Orsay, France

    CNRS, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405, Orsay, France

  31. Universidad de La Laguna · Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

    Affiliation as printed

    Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísica Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Vía Láctea s/n, 38205, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

  32. Universidad de La Laguna · Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

    Affiliation as printed

    Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísica Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Vía Láctea s/n, 38205, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

  33. Universidad de La Laguna · Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

    Affiliation as printed

    Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísica Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Vía Láctea s/n, 38205, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

  34. Dublin City University

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin Campus, Dublin, Ireland

  35. Dublin City University

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin Campus, Dublin, Ireland

  36. Dublin City University

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin Campus, Dublin, Ireland

  37. Xi'an Jiaotong University

    Affiliation as printed

    MOE Key Laboratory for Non-Equilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Rd., Xi’an, 710049, Shaanxi, China

    MOE Key Laboratory for Non-Equilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Rd., Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China

  38. Affiliation as printed

    Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (IGN), C/ Alfonso XII 3, 28014, Madrid, Madrid, Spain

  39. Affiliation as printed

    Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (IGN), C/ Alfonso XII 3, 28014, Madrid, Madrid, Spain

  40. Chalmers University of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, Onsala Space Observatory, 439 92, Onsala, Sweden

  41. Affiliation as printed

    Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (IGN), C/ Alfonso XII 3, 28014, Madrid, Madrid, Spain

  42. Ruđer Bošković Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physical Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia

  43. University of Zagreb

    Affiliation as printed

    Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, Kačićeva 26, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

  44. Stony Brook University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, 11794, Stony Brook, NY, USA

  45. Radboud University Nijmegen · HFML-FELIX

    Affiliation as printed

    FELIX Laboratory, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  46. Radboud University Nijmegen · HFML-FELIX

    Affiliation as printed

    FELIX Laboratory, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  47. Radboud University Nijmegen · HFML-FELIX

    Affiliation as printed

    FELIX Laboratory, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  48. Radboud University Nijmegen · HFML-FELIX

    Affiliation as printed

    FELIX Laboratory, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  49. Radboud University Nijmegen · HFML-FELIX

    Affiliation as printed

    FELIX Laboratory, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  50. Radboud University Nijmegen · HFML-FELIX

    Affiliation as printed

    FELIX Laboratory, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  51. University of Pisa

    Affiliation as printed

    Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Pisa, largo B. Pontecorvo 3, 56127, Pisa, Italy

  52. University of Pisa

    Affiliation as printed

    Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Pisa, largo B. Pontecorvo 3, 56127, Pisa, Italy

  53. University of Pisa

    Affiliation as printed

    Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Pisa, largo B. Pontecorvo 3, 56127, Pisa, Italy

  54. University of Salerno

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Information and Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 137, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy

  55. University of Eastern Finland

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistokatu, 7, 80100, Joensuu, Finland

  56. University of Eastern Finland

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistokatu, 7, 80100, Joensuu, Finland

  57. University of Eastern Finland

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistokatu, 7, 80100, Joensuu, Finland

  58. University of Eastern Finland

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistokatu, 7, 80100, Joensuu, Finland

  59. Université Gustave Eiffel

    Affiliation as printed

    COSYS/IMSE, Université Gustave Eiffel, 5 Bd Descartes, 77454, Champs sur Marne, France

  60. King Saud University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

  61. Max Planck Institute for Astronomy · Friedrich Schiller University Jena

    Affiliation as printed

    Analytical Mineralogy Group, Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstr. 14, 07743, Jena, Germany

    Laboratory Astrophysics Group, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Institute of Solid State Physics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743, Jena, Germany

  62. Gebze Technical University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, Gebze Technical University, Gebze, 41400, Kocaeli, Türkiye

  63. Stockholm University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, SE, Sweden

  64. Stockholm University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, SE, Sweden

  65. Stockholm University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, SE, Sweden

  66. University of East Anglia

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

  67. University of East Anglia

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

  68. Czech Academy of Sciences · Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovsky Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejs̆kova 2155/3, 18223, Prague, Czech Republic

  69. Universität Innsbruck

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

  70. Universität Innsbruck

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

  71. Universität Innsbruck

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

  72. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Aix-Marseille Université · Physique des interactions ioniques et moléculaires

    Affiliation as printed

    Physics of the Interactions of Ions and Molecules (PIIM), Aix-Marseille Université/CNRS, Campus Etoile, 13013, Marseille, France

  73. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Aix-Marseille Université · Physique des interactions ioniques et moléculaires

    Affiliation as printed

    Physics of the Interactions of Ions and Molecules (PIIM), Aix-Marseille Université/CNRS, Campus Etoile, 13013, Marseille, France

  74. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Aix-Marseille Université · Physique des interactions ioniques et moléculaires

    Affiliation as printed

    Physics of the Interactions of Ions and Molecules (PIIM), Aix-Marseille Université/CNRS, Campus Etoile, 13013, Marseille, France

  75. HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research

    Affiliation as printed

    HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research (ATOMKI), Debrecen, Hungary

  76. University of Science and Technology of China

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China

  77. University of Science and Technology of China

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China

  78. University of Science and Technology of China

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China

  79. China Academy of Engineering Physics

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, P.O. Box 9071, Jiangyou, 621907, Sichuan, China

  80. University of Science and Technology of China

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China

  81. Brimrose (United States)

    Affiliation as printed

    Brimrose Corporation of America, Sparks Glencoe, MD, USA

  82. Brimrose (United States)

    Affiliation as printed

    Brimrose Corporation of America, Sparks Glencoe, MD, USA

  83. Brimrose (United States)

    Affiliation as printed

    Brimrose Corporation of America, Sparks Glencoe, MD, USA

  84. Hampton University

    Affiliation as printed

    Hampton University, Hampton, USA

  85. Hungarian Academy of Sciences

    Affiliation as printed

    Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary

  86. U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, Edgewood, USA

  87. National Polytechnic University of Armenia

    Affiliation as printed

    National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia

  88. National Polytechnic University of Armenia

    Affiliation as printed

    National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia

  89. National Polytechnic University of Armenia · Yerevan State University

    Affiliation as printed

    National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia

    Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia

  90. University of Malta

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Mathematics, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

  91. Vellore Institute of Technology University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Tiruvalam Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India

  92. Vellore Institute of Technology University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Tiruvalam Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India

  93. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences · Institute of Electronics

    Affiliation as printed

    ’Acad. E. Djakov’ Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

    'Acad. E. Djakov' Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

  94. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences · Institute of Electronics

    Affiliation as printed

    ’Acad. E. Djakov’ Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

    'Acad. E. Djakov' Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

  95. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences · Institute of Electronics

    Affiliation as printed

    ’Acad. E. Djakov’ Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

    'Acad. E. Djakov' Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

  96. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences · Institute of Electronics

    Affiliation as printed

    ’Acad. E. Djakov’ Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

    'Acad. E. Djakov' Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

  97. University of Hong Kong

    Affiliation as printed

    Laboratory for Space Research, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR), China

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References 365