Quadrupole ion trap/time-of-flight photo-fragmentation spectrometry of the hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) cation

• Published in: Chemical physics letters Vol. 592; pp. 211 - 216
• Main Authors: Zhen, J., Paardekooper, D.M., Candian, A., Linnartz, H., Tielens, A.G.G.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.01.2014
• ISSN: 0009-2614; 1873-4448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2013.12.005

[Display omitted] •We present the first result on the photo-fragmentation of the hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) cation –C42H18+–.•Both stepwise dehydrogenation and C2/C2H2 loss pathways are identified as relevant photodissociation routes.•Our conclusions support the idea that graphene sheets, cages, and bare carbon rings may be abundant in space. We have studied the photo-fragmentation of the HBC cation –C42H18+– a large PAH cation of potential astrophysical interest. HBC cation photo-fragment patterns are measured upon irradiation by an unfocused Nd:YAG laser (532nm) for different experimental conditions, using quadrupole ion trap, time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Both stepwise dehydrogenation of C42H18+ and C2/C2H2 loss pathways are identified as relevant photodissociation routes.