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Superhydrogenated PAHs: Catalytic formation ofH2
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 March 2011
Abstract
The possible role of neutral PAHs as catalysts for H2 formation in theinterstellar medium is investigated by a combined experimental and density function theorystudy of the superhydrogenation of coronene (C24H12). Thecalculations suggest efficient hydrogenation of both edge and centre sites, along withcompeting abstraction reactions to form H2 in a series of catalytic cycles.Scanning tunneling microscopy and thermal desorption measurements have been used toprovide direct evidence of the formation of superhydrogenated coronene as a result ofexposure to D atoms. Lower limit estimates for the cross-sections of1.8 × 10-17, 5.5 × 10-18 and 1.1 × 10-18 cm2for the formation of singly, doubly and triply hydrogenated coronene are derived. Theresults suggest that superhydrogenated PAHs may play an important role in H2formation in the ISM.
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- © EAS, EDP Sciences 2011
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