Exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission feature

IntroductionThe 21 μm emission feature discovered in a small sample of carbon-rich protoplanetary nebulae has remained unidentified for over 30 years. A dozen of different molecular species (both organics and inorganics) have been proposed as the carrier candidates of this important feature, among w...

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Main Authors: Xuan-Xiang Liao, Yong Zhang, SeyedAbdolreza Sadjadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2024.1489982/full
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author Xuan-Xiang Liao
Yong Zhang
Yong Zhang
SeyedAbdolreza Sadjadi
author_facet Xuan-Xiang Liao
Yong Zhang
Yong Zhang
SeyedAbdolreza Sadjadi
author_sort Xuan-Xiang Liao
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe 21 μm emission feature discovered in a small sample of carbon-rich protoplanetary nebulae has remained unidentified for over 30 years. A dozen of different molecular species (both organics and inorganics) have been proposed as the carrier candidates of this important feature, among which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fulleranes (hydrogenated fullerenes) have yet to be sufficiently examined.MethodIn this study, we attempt to fit the 21 μm features in observed spectra of the above-mentioned astronomical sources via theoretically simulated spectra of various PAHs and fulleranes, aiming to investigate whether the two hydrocarbon families can reproduce the 21 μm feature.Results and DiscussionBased on the fitting outcomes we conclude that fulleranes can provide a more plausible explanation for the origin of 21 μm feature than PAHs.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-92c71f5735ca4a3280757b6db5caf96b2025-08-20T02:13:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences2296-987X2024-11-011110.3389/fspas.2024.14899821489982Exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission featureXuan-Xiang Liao0Yong Zhang1Yong Zhang2SeyedAbdolreza Sadjadi3School of Physics and Astronomy, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, ChinaSchool of Physics and Astronomy, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, ChinaThe Laboratory for Space Research, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong KongSAR, ChinaThe Laboratory for Space Research, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong KongSAR, ChinaIntroductionThe 21 μm emission feature discovered in a small sample of carbon-rich protoplanetary nebulae has remained unidentified for over 30 years. A dozen of different molecular species (both organics and inorganics) have been proposed as the carrier candidates of this important feature, among which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fulleranes (hydrogenated fullerenes) have yet to be sufficiently examined.MethodIn this study, we attempt to fit the 21 μm features in observed spectra of the above-mentioned astronomical sources via theoretically simulated spectra of various PAHs and fulleranes, aiming to investigate whether the two hydrocarbon families can reproduce the 21 μm feature.Results and DiscussionBased on the fitting outcomes we conclude that fulleranes can provide a more plausible explanation for the origin of 21 μm feature than PAHs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2024.1489982/fullinfraredpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsfullerenesfulleranesprotoplanetary nebulaeastrochemistry
spellingShingle Xuan-Xiang Liao
Yong Zhang
Yong Zhang
SeyedAbdolreza Sadjadi
Exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission feature
Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
infrared
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
fullerenes
fulleranes
protoplanetary nebulae
astrochemistry
title Exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission feature
title_full Exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission feature
title_fullStr Exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission feature
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission feature
title_short Exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission feature
title_sort exploring the possibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fulleranes as the carrier of the 21 micron emission feature
topic infrared
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
fullerenes
fulleranes
protoplanetary nebulae
astrochemistry
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2024.1489982/full
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AT yongzhang exploringthepossibilityofpolycyclicaromatichydrocarbonsandfulleranesasthecarrierofthe21micronemissionfeature
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