Low-temperature formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Titan’s atmosphere

@article{Zhao2018LowtemperatureFO,
  title={Low-temperature formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Titan’s atmosphere},
  author={Long Zhao and Ralf I. Kaiser and Bo Xu and Utuq Ablikim and Musahid Ahmed and Mikhail M. Evseev and Eugene K. Bashkirov and Valeriy N. Azyazov and Alexander M. Mebel},
  journal={Nature Astronomy},
  year={2018},
  volume={2},
  pages={973-979}
}
The detection of benzene in Titan’s atmosphere led to the emergence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as potential nucleation agents triggering the growth of Titan’s orange-brownish haze layers. However, the fundamental mechanisms leading to the formation of PAHs in Titan’s low-temperature atmosphere have remained elusive. We provide persuasive evidence through laboratory experiments and computations that prototype PAHs like anthracene and phenanthrene (C14H10) are synthesized via… Expand
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