Mid-infrared spectra of WC 9 stars - The composition of circumstellar and interstellar dust

Abstract

Broad emission features at about 7.7 microns and absorption features at about 6 and 10 microns observed from the WC 9 stars AFGL 2104 and Ve 2-45 are analyzed. The 7.7-micron feature is shown to resemble the well-known PAH band attributed to CC stretching modes in carbonaceous materials. The results suggest a low H abundance in the outflow of these objects, and that, given a strong UV source, all C-rich dust-enshrouded objects will show (some of) the IR emission bands. It is noted that at least 6 percent of the C and 4 percent of the O are locked up in C=O groups in interstellar silicates.