Ionization of methane clusters in helium nanodroplets |
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Authors: | Christian Leidlmair Peter Bartl Dr Harald Schöbel Dr Stephan Denifl Dr Shengfu Yang Prof Andrew M Ellis Prof Paul Scheier |
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Institution: | Institute for Ion Physics und Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. |
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Abstract: | The electron ionization of helium droplets doped with methane clusters is investigated for the first time using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The dominant ion products ejected into the gas phase are the unprotonated (CH(4))(n)(+) cluster ions along with the protonated ions, CH(5)(+)(CH(4))(n-1). The mass spectra show clear evidence for magic numbers, which are broadly consistent with icosahedral shell closings. However, unusual features were observed, including different magic numbers for CH(5)(+)(CH(4))(n-1) (n=55, 148) when compared to (CH(4))(n)(+) (n=54, 147). Possible interpretations for some of these differences are proposed. Products of the type C(2)H(x)(CH(4))(n)](+), which result from ion-molecule chemistry, are also observed and these too show clear magic number features. Finally, we report the first observation of (CH(4))(n)(2+) dications from methane clusters. The threshold for dication survival occurs at n≥70 and is in good agreement with a liquid droplet model for fission of multiply charged ions. Furthermore, we present evidence showing that these dications are formed by an unusual two-step mechanism which is initiated by charge transfer to generate a monocation and is then followed by Penning ionization to generate a dication. |
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Keywords: | cluster compounds dications helium droplets hydrocarbons mass spectrometry |
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