Non-thermal desorption processes on nitrile-bearing astrophysical ice analogues studied by electron stimulated ion desorption

Methyl cyanide (CH₃CN) is the simplest organic nitrile and it is found in almost all astrophysical environments, including cometary comae, Titan's atmosphere and the interstellar medium (ISM), especially in starforming regions and hot cores. In this work, the role of ion desorption caused by electron collisions onto a CH₃CN ice is discussed. New ionic species, including ion clusters are produced, pointing to the delivery of more complex species from ice surfaces to the gas-phase in the ISM. (paper)