Experimental study of ammonia formation in Titan's ionosphere

International audienceAmmonia is an interesting molecule suspected to be formed in Titan ionosphere and leading to further complex chemistry. Here we experimentally study one of the two ways of formation of ammonia in the ionosphere: the catalysis on surfaces in a N2-H2 plasma. We vary plasma conditions in a CCP RF discharge and follow the ammonia formation thanks to IR and mass spectrometries. We show the strong effect of pressure, H2 percentage, plasma power and metallic surfaces