The Mid-Infrared Laboratory Spectra of Naphthalene (C10H8) in Solid H2O

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

16

Astrochemistry, Ism: Lines And Bands, Ism: Molecules, Line: Identification, Molecular Data

Scientific paper

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common throughout the universe. Gas-phase PAHs are easily detected in radiation-rich environments by the characteristic infrared (IR) emission bands they produce when they are excited by higher energy radiation. In contrast, in dense interstellar clouds, where the PAHs could be present as unexcited gas-phase molecules or dust grains or frozen into ice mantles, they are expected to be seen in absorption. We present full mid-IR spectra of the PAH naphthalene (C10H8) in several media to facilitate searches for PAHs in absorption in dense clouds. The positions, widths, and strengths of the absorption bands of naphthalene are significantly altered from the gas phase when it is placed in a matrix, with the extent of the alteration depending on the nature of the matrix interaction. The infrared features of gas-phase naphthalene show P, Q, and R branches characteristic of rovibrational transitions, while naphthalene in condensed forms does not. When condensed in a relatively inert matrix (e.g., Ar or N2), the IR features produced by naphthalene are narrow (generally FWHM<2 cm-1) and may show multiple components associated with different matrix sites. In more interactive matrices (e.g., pure naphthalene and H2O), the bands become considerably broader (factors of 3-10), show small band position shifts (0-10 cm-1 in either direction), and show variable changes in relative band strengths (typically factors of 1-3). There is little systematic increase or decrease in the band strengths (perhaps none). In H2O-rich ices, naphthalene bands are relatively insensitive to concentration and temperature, with the exception that all the bands show dramatic changes as the ices are warmed through the temperature range in which amorphous H2O ice converts to its cubic and hexagonal crystalline forms. Given the small observed band shifts (<10 cm-1 <0.04 μm at 6 μm), the current database of spectra from Ar matrix-isolated PAHs should be useful for the search for PAHs in dense clouds on the basis of observed absorption band positions. Furthermore, these data permit determination of column densities to better than a factor of 3 for PAHs in dense clouds. Column density determination of detected aromatics to better than a factor of 3 will, however, require good knowledge about the nature of the matrix in which the PAH is embedded and laboratory studies of relevant samples.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The Mid-Infrared Laboratory Spectra of Naphthalene (C10H8) in Solid H2O does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Mid-Infrared Laboratory Spectra of Naphthalene (C10H8) in Solid H2O, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Mid-Infrared Laboratory Spectra of Naphthalene (C10H8) in Solid H2O will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1180554

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.