Since the arrival of the Cassini spacecraft to the Saturnian system, benzene (C6H6) has been observed throughout Titan's atmosphere. Photochemical reactions involving benzene may influence polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation, aerosol formation, and the radiative balance of planetary atmospheres. We study the chemistry of benzene in the laboratory by photolyzing CH4/N2 gas mixtures infused with ppm-levels of C6H6 using a deuterium lamp (115-400 nm). We measure the chemical composition of the condensed and gas-phase products in situ using aerosol mass spectrometry and proton-transfer ion-trap mass spectrometry, respectively. Inclusion of benzene significantly increases the total gas-phase products found and increases the aromaticity of the resultant gases. The addition of benzene also increases aerosol production, but decreases nitrogen incorporation into aerosol. The aerosol formation is also studied as a function of pressure, and we find that as the pressure decreases, the C/H ratio of the condensed phase products increases and the N/C ratio decreases.

Role of benzene photolysis in Titan haze formation

246th National Meeting (2013)

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