Formations of dumbbell C118 and C119 inside clusters of C60 molecules by collision with α particles

Phys Rev Lett. 2013 May 3;110(18):185501. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.185501. Epub 2013 May 1.

Abstract

We report highly selective covalent bond modifications in collisions between keV alpha particles and van der Waals clusters of C(60) fullerenes. Surprisingly, C(119)(+) and C(118)(+) are the dominant molecular fusion products. We use molecular dynamics simulations to show that C(59)(+) and C(58)(+) ions--effectively produced in prompt knockout processes with He(2+)--react rapidly with C(60) to form dumbbell C(119)(+) and C(118)(+). Ion impact on molecular clusters in general is expected to lead to efficient secondary reactions of interest for astrophysics. These reactions are different from those induced by photons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alpha Particles*
  • Cations, Divalent / chemistry
  • Fullerenes / chemistry*
  • Helium / chemistry
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Weight
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Cations, Divalent
  • Fullerenes
  • Helium
  • fullerene C60