Stability of interstellar fullerenes under high-dose γ-irradiation

摘要: Abstract It is generally assumed that the large spherical carbon clusters can be generated within circumstellar envelopes of mass-losing carbon-rich stars. The detection fullerenes in carbonaceous chondrites, geological strata Cretaceous–Tertiary and Permian–Triassic boundary layers, associated with bolide impacts, considered as an indirect evidence their formation envelopes. On other hand, a question arises on fate harsh radiation environments: namely, close proximity to stars where they have been produced (the gas phase), solid phase after incorporation into interstellar grains. existence must finally depend competition between rates decomposition. In present work we estimated capability C 60 fullerene withstand prolonged γ-irradiation, under doses exceeding 6 MGy (1 Gy=1 J kg −1 ), presence absence liquid water. results high-performance chromatographic infrared spectroscopic measurements irradiated products suggest general pathways radiolysis aqueous polymerization (most likely cross-linking), breaking backbone, C–H group formation, oxygen atoms carbonyl OH groups. water, attachment radicals environment possible, along polymerization. As whole, crystalline exhibited extremely high stability. A similar behavior expected different space environments, are formed, incorporated dust particles subsequently comets, travel through Universe.