Article

Vibrational Spectroscopy of Ion Irradiated Carbon Containing Macromolecules

  1. Giovanni Strazzulla1,
  2. Giuseppe Baratta1,
  3. Rosario Brunetto1,
  4. Franco Cataldo2

Article first published online: 27 JAN 2005

DOI: 10.1002/masy.200550213

Issue

Macromolecular Symposia

Macromolecular Symposia

Special Issue: Spectroscopy of Partially Ordered Macromolecular Systems

Volume 220, Issue 1, pages 165–175, January 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Strazzulla, G., Baratta, G., Brunetto, R. and Cataldo, F. (2005), Vibrational Spectroscopy of Ion Irradiated Carbon Containing Macromolecules. Macromol. Symp., 220: 165–175. doi: 10.1002/masy.200550213

Author Information

  1. 1

    INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, I-95123 Catania, Italy

  2. 2

    Società Lupi arl, Chemical Research Institute, Via Casilina 1626/A, 00133 Rome, Italy

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 JAN 2005
  2. Article first published online: 27 JAN 2005

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Keywords:

  • fullerenes;
  • ices;
  • infrared spectroscopy;
  • ion irradiation;
  • PAHs;
  • Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

A large variety of carbon rich macromolecules has been studied in our laboratory, before, during, and after ion irradiation (3-60 keV ions), by in situ IR and Raman spectroscopies. In this paper we present results obtained on: (a) Films of frozen H2O:CH4:N2 mixtures that have been deposited at low temperature (12 K) on a silicon substrate, and irradiated with fast ions. Irradiation causes the formation of organic refractory residues whose spectra have been recorded and studied also after further irradiation at room temperature. (b) Pentacene (a Polyciclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, PAH) whose Raman spectra have been studied also during ion irradiation at room temperature. (c) Thin samples of fullerene (C60) films also irradiated at room temperature.

Here we discuss some of the most relevant results and compare the spectra of the very different samples that after prolonged irradiation, evolve towards amorphous carbons that have common spectral characteristic. The results are discussed in terms of their astrophysical relevance. It is demonstrated that frozen hydrocarbons, PAHs and fullerenes are rapidly converted to amorphous carbon in space. Amorphous carbon has to be a widespread material in many astrophysical environments.

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