Gas-phase ion chemistry in silane/propyne mixtures

Abstract

The gas-phase ion chemistry of the silane/propyne mixture was studied by ion trap mass spectrometry with the aim of finding the best experimental conditions leading to the formation of Si- and C-containing ion clusters of increasing size. To this purpose, the optimal pressure ratio among the two gases was about 1:1. Ion/molecule reactions were investigated and rate constants determined for propyne alone and for the silane/propyne systems. In these systems, several mixed ions were formed; in particular, the Si 2CH 5 + ion species is obtained and reaches 20% abundance after 1 s reaction time under the experimental conditions used here.