Interaction of atomic and molecular hydrogen with tholin surfaces at low temperatures

Ling Li, Hui Zhao, Gianfranco Vidali, Yechiel Frank, Ingo Lohmar, Hagai B. Perets, Ofer Biham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

We study the interaction of atomic and molecular hydrogen with a surface of tholin, a man-made polymer considered to be an analogue of aerosol particles present in Titan's atmosphere, using thermal programmed desorption at low temperatures below 30 K. The results are fitted and analyzed using a fine-grained rate equation model that describes the diffusion, reaction, and desorption processes. We obtain the energy barriers for diffusion and desorption of atomic and molecular hydrogen. These barriers are found to be in the range of 30-60 meV, indicating that atom/molecule-surface interactions in this temperature range are dominated by weak adsorption forces. The implications of these results for the understanding of the atmospheric chemistry of Titan are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10575-10583
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry A
Volume114
Issue number39
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 7 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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