Vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen production from the water photochemistry

Yao Chang, Feng An, Zhichao Chen, Zijie Luo, Yarui Zhao, Xixi Hu (), Jiayue Yang, Weiqing Zhang, Guorong Wu, Daiqian Xie, Kaijun Yuan () and Xueming Yang
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Yao Chang: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Feng An: Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University
Zhichao Chen: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zijie Luo: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yarui Zhao: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xixi Hu: Nanjing University
Jiayue Yang: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Weiqing Zhang: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guorong Wu: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Daiqian Xie: Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University
Kaijun Yuan: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xueming Yang: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen has been commonly observed in the dense photo-dominated regions (PDRs). It plays an important role in understanding the chemical evolution in the interstellar medium. Until recently, it was widely accepted that vibrational excitation of interstellar H2 was achieved by shock wave or far-ultraviolet fluorescence pumping. Here we show a further pathway to produce vibrationally excited H2 via the water photochemistry. The results indicate that the H2 fragments identified in the O(1S) + H2(X1Σg+) channel following vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photodissociation of H2O in the wavelength range of λ = ~100-112 nm are vibrationally excited. In particular, more than 90% of H2(X) fragments populate in a vibrational state v = 3 at λ~112.81 nm. The abundance of water and VUV photons in the interstellar space suggests that the contributions of these vibrationally excited H2 from the water photochemistry could be significant and should be recognized in appropriate interstellar chemistry models.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26599-9

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