Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
May 1980
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980a%26a....85..197b&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 85, no. 1-2, May 1980, p. 197-200.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
17
Graphite, Hydrocarbons, Hydrogen Atoms, Interstellar Chemistry, Interstellar Matter, Carbonaceous Materials, Chemical Reactions, Cold Gas, Helium, Interstellar Gas
Scientific paper
The formation of methane and other hydrocarbons by the reaction of hydrogen atoms with graphite when both are at T greater than or equal to 7 K is demonstrated experimentally. Thus, hydrocarbon formation by impinging H-atoms on graphite grains should be operable also in dark and cold interstellar clouds. The observed hydrocarbon formation at these low temperatures suggests that quantum-mechanical tunnelling is effective also in the H-atom graphite reaction and not only in the recombination of H-atoms on graphite surfaces. At T less than or equal to 20 K a monolayer of hydrocarbons, mostly of methane, would be formed on the graphite grains. This mantle could be polymerized by short UV photons and low energy cosmic rays into carbonaceous substances similar to those found in carbonaceous chondrites.
Bar-Nun Akiva
Litman M.
Rappaport Michael L.
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