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Role of the Tenax® Adsorbent in the Interpretation of the EGA and GC‐MS Analyses Performed With the Sample Analysis at Mars in Gale Crater.

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Title: Role of the Tenax® Adsorbent in the Interpretation of the EGA and GC‐MS Analyses Performed With the Sample Analysis at Mars in Gale Crater.
Authors: Buch, A.1 arnaud.buch@centralesupelec.fr, Belmahdi, I.1, Szopa, C.2,3, Freissinet, C.2, Glavin, D.P.4, Millan, M.4,5, Summons, R.6, Coscia, D.2, Teinturier, S.4, Bonnet, J.‐Y.2, He, Y.1, Cabane, M.2, Navarro‐Gonzalez, R.7, Malespin, C.A.4, Stern, J.4, Eigenbrode, J.4, Mahaffy, P.R.4, Johnson, S.S.5
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Nov2019, Vol. 124 Issue 11, p2819-2851. 33p.
Subject Terms: *Gas chromatography, Mars (Planet), Mass spectrometers, Perchlorates
Company/Entity: United States. National Aeronautics & Space Administration
Abstract: The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) experiment on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Curiosity rover seeks evidence of organic compounds on the surface of Mars. Since the beginning of the mission, various organic molecules have been detected and identified. While several have been demonstrated to be indigenous to the Martian soil and rocks analyzed, others appear to have been produced from sources internal to the experiment. The objective of this study is to build an exhaustive molecular database to support the interpretation of SAM results by identifying all the chemical species produced from Tenax® adsorbents, by determining (1) the thermal degradation by‐products of Tenax®, (2) the effect of Tenax® conditioning on the formation of Tenax® by‐products, (3) the impact of MTBSTFA or a mixture of MTBSTFA and DMF on Tenax® decomposition, and (4) the reaction between Tenax® and calcium perchlorate. Our results indicate that the by‐products of the SAM trap are due to the impact of trap heating, the impact of the derivatization reagent (MTBSTFA) and the presence of perchlorate in Martian soil. Some of these by‐products are observed in the SAM gas chromatograph mass spectrometer data from Mars. Plain Language Summary: The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) experiment onboard the Curiosity Rover has a polymer‐based chemical trap (Tenax®) that concentrates the evolved species from the Martian samples. We studied the impact that this trap could have on the SAM results when heated, when exposed to the chemical compounds used for sample processing (derivatization) and when exposed to Martian perchlorates. We conclude by demonstrating that some of the organic compounds detected in the background signal of the SAM chromatograms likely came from the degradation of Tenax®. This study will help to discriminate the endogenous organic compounds detected on Mars by SAM from the contamination. Key Points: In this article, we evaluate the impact of the Tenax® traps on the Sample Analysis at Mars experiment results, with concurrent implications for the future Martian Organic Molecule Analyser experiment resultsTenax® is an adsorbent resin used on SAM as a trap; it is an organic polymer that can be degraded into smaller moleculesBy‐products of Tenax® may contribute to the background of the SAM chromatogram. Here we identify them and the conditions of their production [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) experiment on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Curiosity rover seeks evidence of organic compounds on the surface of Mars. Since the beginning of the mission, various organic molecules have been detected and identified. While several have been demonstrated to be indigenous to the Martian soil and rocks analyzed, others appear to have been produced from sources internal to the experiment. The objective of this study is to build an exhaustive molecular database to support the interpretation of SAM results by identifying all the chemical species produced from Tenax® adsorbents, by determining (1) the thermal degradation by‐products of Tenax®, (2) the effect of Tenax® conditioning on the formation of Tenax® by‐products, (3) the impact of MTBSTFA or a mixture of MTBSTFA and DMF on Tenax® decomposition, and (4) the reaction between Tenax® and calcium perchlorate. Our results indicate that the by‐products of the SAM trap are due to the impact of trap heating, the impact of the derivatization reagent (MTBSTFA) and the presence of perchlorate in Martian soil. Some of these by‐products are observed in the SAM gas chromatograph mass spectrometer data from Mars. Plain Language Summary: The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) experiment onboard the Curiosity Rover has a polymer‐based chemical trap (Tenax®) that concentrates the evolved species from the Martian samples. We studied the impact that this trap could have on the SAM results when heated, when exposed to the chemical compounds used for sample processing (derivatization) and when exposed to Martian perchlorates. We conclude by demonstrating that some of the organic compounds detected in the background signal of the SAM chromatograms likely came from the degradation of Tenax®. This study will help to discriminate the endogenous organic compounds detected on Mars by SAM from the contamination. Key Points: In this article, we evaluate the impact of the Tenax® traps on the Sample Analysis at Mars experiment results, with concurrent implications for the future Martian Organic Molecule Analyser experiment resultsTenax® is an adsorbent resin used on SAM as a trap; it is an organic polymer that can be degraded into smaller moleculesBy‐products of Tenax® may contribute to the background of the SAM chromatogram. Here we identify them and the conditions of their production [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699097
DOI:10.1029/2019JE005973