HCN forms stable mixed crystals with Titan's methane and ethane at frigid temps
Scientists reproduced Titan-like cryogenic conditions and found hydrogen cyanide can form stable mixed solids with methane or ethane, incorporating these nonpolar molecules into an HCN lattice without chemical reaction. Raman spectroscopy and crystal-structure modeling support plausible co-crystal arrangements that could persist near Titan's surface temperatures, a rare solid-state exception to 'like dissolves like'. The result hints at how cryominerals could influence Titan geology and prebiotic chemistry, though it depends on temperature and composition; further work will resolve long-range order and test multicomponent mixtures, with no implication of life but potential impacts on storage and transport of HCN.