Graphene Molecule Compared With Fullerene C60 As Circumstellar Carbon Dust Of Planetary Nebula


Abstract in English

It had been understood that astronomically observed infrared spectrum of carbon rich planetary nebula as like Tc 1 and Lin 49 comes from fullerene (C60). Also, it is well known that graphene is a raw material for synthesizing fullerene. This study seeks some capability of graphene based on the quantum-chemical DFT calculation. It was demonstrated that graphene plays major role rather than fullerene. We applied two astrophysical conditions, which are void creation by high speed proton and photo-ionization by the central star. Model molecule was ionized void-graphene (C23) having one carbon pentagon combined with hexagons. By molecular vibrational analysis, we could reproduce six major bands from 6 to 9 micrometer, large peak at 12.8, and largest peak at 19.0. Also, many minor bands could be reproduced from 6 to 38 micrometer. Also, deeply void induced molecules (C22) and (C21) could support observed bands.

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