Electron-impact-ionization dynamics of five C2 to C4 perfluorocarbons

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are man-made compounds whose ion physics exhibit complex interplays between statistical and nonstatistical fragmentation and intramolecular rearrangement processes. One probe of such processes is the energy-dependent electron-impact-ionization cross section. Partial electron-impact-ionization cross sections are reported for the fragments arising from five C-2 to C-4 PFCs, namely, C2F6, C3F8, C3F6, CF2=CF-CF=CF2, and CF3-C=C-CF3, over the energy range from threshold to similar to 210 eV. Care was taken to maximize ion collection efficiency and to minimize discrimination against ions produced with high kinetic-energy release, and the measured cross sections have been calibrated using independent absolute total (gross) ionization efficiency curves measured previously in the same laboratory with an instrument that was designed to essentially have unit detection efficiency. Total ionization cross sections have also been modeled using the binary-encounter Bethe model, and the shortcomings of the model when applied to perfluorinated compounds are discussed. Analysis of the mass spectral fragmentation patterns in combination with ab initio energetics suggests that nonstatistical dissociative ionization processes play a significant role in the fragmentation dynamics of saturated PFCs. In contrast, unsaturated PFCs exhibit long-lived parent ions, which tend to undergo a higher degree of statistical dissociation following ionization, involving considerable intramolecular rearrangement.