An FTIR study on the catalytic effect of water molecules on the reaction of CO successive hydrogenation at 3 and 10K
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of water and the relative high abundance of H2, H and CO molecules in the interstellar medium motivated numerous studies on their potential interaction. The reaction of successive hydrogenation of CO is of large interest in astrochemistry because of its implication in the formation of formaldehyde and methanol in interstellar grains and in comets. The catalytic effect of water on the successive hydrogenation of CO has been investigated by two methods. The first is the hydrogenation of a CO/H2O surface. The second is a co-injection of (CO/H2O) mixtures and H atoms. Both methods have been performed at 3 and 10 K. When the hydrogenation of a CO surface is performed at 3 K, no products are observed. In fact, the presence of solid hydrogen screens the hydrogenation process. However, when performed at 10 K, the experiment shows that water molecules increase the concentration of the H2CO and CH3OH species. At 3 and 10K, [(CO/H2O)+H] co-depositions confirm a subtantial impact on by-products formation. We show that water molecules increase the probability of reactive to encounter H atoms either physically, or chemically, by raising the number of chemical pathways. A coordinated theoretical study of the possible chemical pathways is currently under way.
- Publication:
-
The Molecular Universe
- Pub Date:
- May 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011IAUS..280P.306P