Giant enhancement of electron-induced dissociation of chlorofluorocarbons coadsorbed with water or ammonia ices: Implications for atmospheric ozone depletion

The Cl− yield produced by dissociative electron attachment of a submonolayer of CF2Cl2 is enhanced by factors of 102 and 104 when CF2Cl2 is coadsorbed with water ice and ammonia ice, respectively, on a surface at ∼25 K. Moreover, the magnitude of Cl− enhancement increases strongly with decreasing CF2Cl2 concentration. This enhancement is attributed to dissociation of CF2Cl2 by capture of electrons self-trapped in polar water or ammonia molecules. This process may be an unrecognized sink for chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. Cl− ions produced may be directly or indirectly converted to Cl atoms, which then destroy ozone.