Possible Role Played by the Fullerene‐like Structures of Interstellar Carbon Dust in the Formation of Molecular Hydrogen in Space

Abstract

After a general introduction to the problem of formation of molecular hydrogen from atomic hydrogen in the interstellar medium and in the dense molecular clouds in particular, and after the explanation of the key role played by the surfaces on this process, it is proposed that the most suitable carbon surface for the formation of molecular hydrogen (from the radiative association process of atomic hydrogen) can be represented by carbon black rather than by graphite. Furthermore, it is proposed that the fullerene‐like structures present in the carbon black graphene sheets are the reaction sites where molecular hydrogen may be formed.

Keywords:

• Hydrogen
• Atomic
• Molecular
• Radiative association
• Surfaces
• Graphite
• Carbon black
• Fullerene‐like structures

Acknowledgments

This work has been supported by ASI, the Italian Space Agency, Rome, Italy. Contract number: I/R/070/02.