Chemical transformation of CO in evolving protoplanetary discs across stellar masses: a route to C-rich inner regions

TL;DR

This study investigates how chemical reactions transforming CO into other molecules can lead to C-rich inner regions in protoplanetary discs around low-mass stars, explaining observed spectral differences.

Contribution

It demonstrates that CO chemical transformation, driven by ionization and gas dynamics, can produce C/O ratios above 1 in VLMS discs, a novel explanation for observed compositions.

Findings

C/O ratio exceeds 1 through CO destruction and gas advection.

Ionization rates >~10^-17 s^-1 are necessary for C/O>1 in VLMS.

Higher ionization rates or faster evolution explain C-rich inner discs.

Abstract

Protoplanetary discs around Very Low Mass Stars (VLMS) show hydrocarbon-rich MIR spectra indicative of C/O>1 in their inner discs, in contrast to discs around higher-mass hosts which mostly show O-bearing species. One scenario proposed to elevate C/O in VLMS inner discs is the advection of O-depleted gas from the outer disc. However, if CO gas remains abundant, C/O can be at most ~1. We test if chemical transformation of CO into other species allows this transport scenario to produce C/O significantly above 1. We track the evolving inner disc C/H and O/H with a 1D disc evolution code. We model the transport of molecules in gas and ice and add conversions of species to represent key reaction pathways at the midplane. We explore the role of disc mass, size, ionization rate, and substructures. The inner disc C/O increases over time due to sequential delivery where O-rich species (e.g. H2O) give way to C-rich species (e.g. CH4). To reach C/O>1, separating C and O is key, hence the liberation of C from gaseous CO by He+ is critical. Ionization drives this chemistry and needs rates >~10^-17 s^-1 for VLMSs for sufficient chemical evolution within a disc lifetime. However, <~10^-17 s^-1 is needed to ensure that C/O stays <1 for the first few Myr in T Tauri discs. While C/O is usually higher for VLMS than T Tauri stars due to faster sequential delivery, C/O significantly above 1 is only produced by combining gas-phase CO destruction with gas advection and radial drift. Sufficient O depletion and hydrocarbon production around VLMSs can then be achieved but may imply higher ionization rates than T Tauris. Observations of older discs may distinguish whether higher ionization rates are indeed needed or faster physical evolution timescales alone are sufficient. CH3OH ice photodissociation at a dust trap between the CH3OH and CH4 snowlines may also liberate C as CH4 gas that can enrich the inner disc.