Photo-induced molecular growth of benzonitrile in the gas phase

Due to the absorption of high energetic ultraviolet (UV) photons by the surface layers of the cold molecular clouds, only low energetic photons are able to penetrate into the inner regions of these clouds. This leads to lower photo-ionization yield of molecules of higher ionization potential in these environments. However, here we have experimentally shown the ionization of Benzonitrile molecule using 266nm (4.66eV) photons. The low intensity and unfocused laser irradiation of benzonitrile molecules results extensive fragmentation. Moreover, the ion-neutral reactions among the cationic fragments and neutral fragments shows promising molecular mass growth.