Surface-induced reactions of Cn+, 50 ≤ n ≤ 60

Singly charged fullerene ions C-n(+) where 50 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 60, have been collided with a hydrocarbon-covered stainless steel surface. Fragmentation and pickup reactions are measured as a function of the collision energy. Compared to C-60(+) ions with n less than or equal to 58 fragment much more strongly. This is attributed to the fact that the initial excitation energy in these projectiles, which are formed from CBD by electron impact ionization, is higher. However, identical values of 6.8% +/- 0.5% are derived for the conversion efficiency of translational into internal energy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.