Electron scattering differential cross sections for C2H2, C2H4, and C2H6 by gas phase electron diffraction - binding effects

Experimental differential cross sections for 40 keV electrons scattered by C₂H₂, C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ molecules were measured using the gas electron diffraction method in the range of the scattering variable s from s = 1 A^?1 to s = 30 A^?1. The differential cross sections for neon were also measured and compared with calculated differential cross sections to calibrate the diffractograph. Experimental differential cross sections show significant deviations with respect to theoretical differential cross sections calculated from the Debye-Ehrenfest model, mainly in the range of small scattering angles. The observed differences are connected to chemical binding effects. From the experimental data, an estimation of the binding energy was carried out. The deduced values: ?0.58 ± 0.20 au for C₂H₂, ?0.94 ± 0.30 au for C₂H₄ and ?1.23 ± 0.40 au for C₂H₆ are in agreement with those obtained by thermochemical methods.