Condensed Matter Surfaces in Prebiotic Chemistry

Abstract

Chemical reactions among organic compounds adsorbed in condensed matter are significantly enhanced when irradiated with gamma rays. Such combination of interactions is considered to have been served for the prebiotic evolution of molecules. The interaction of minerals as alumino-silicates with gamma rays and its relationship to surface chemistry is discussed. The importance of the above radiation-solid interaction is supported, within the framework of the capabilities of these solid minerals, to serve, with its behavior, to the evolution of organic molecules. The characterization of the solids, as well as identification of defects, gave some clues about the storage and transfer of energy and they are connected with the luminescent properties of these solids. Therefore, the interaction of these condensed phases with gamma rays, conduces to some commonly accepted concepts of heterogeneous catalysis by which surface activity might be enhanced with the presence of this energy inputs and may have relevance in the early Earth