Abstract
This study is devoted to the detailed in situ Raman spectroscopy investigation of propane C3H8 in laser-heated diamond anvil cells in the range of pressures from 3 to 22 GPa and temperatures from 900 to 3000 K. We show that propane, while being exposed to particular thermobaric conditions, could react, leading to the formation of hydrocarbons, both saturated and unsaturated as well as soot. Our results suggest that propane could be a precursor of heavy hydrocarbons and will produce more than just sooty material when subjected to extreme conditions. These results could clarify the issue of the presence of heavy hydrocarbons in the Earth’s upper mantle.
Highlights
Our results suggest that propane could be a precursor of heavy hydrocarbons and will produce more than just sooty material when subjected to extreme conditions
Propane was subjected to cooling by liquid nitrogen and subsequent cryogenic loading in symmetric BX-90-type diamond anvil cells (DACs) equipped with synthetic, CVD-type IIa diamonds with a culet size of 250 μm
The main chemical transformation of propane at 3 GPa (Fig. 1) observed at the temperatures displayed by Fig. 1 is a reaction with the prevalent formation of a sooty material
Summary
Propane (Linde Gas Polska), with a purity of 99.99%, was used in the experimental procedure without any additional purification. The main chemical transformation of propane at 3 GPa (Fig. 1) observed at the temperatures displayed by Fig. 1 is a reaction with the prevalent formation of a sooty material This material has very similar Raman spectra to the typical black solid compound obtained during the thermal and catalytic petrochemical processes or as a by-product of combustion according to the reaction:. During such processes, there is the possibility of obtaining a graphite, which could be either disordered or highly ordered. These radicals could subsequently react via various pathways leading to the formation of hydrocarbon compounds[29]: CH3
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