Formation mechanism of argon clathrates with carbon dendrites

The formation mechanism of argon clathrates with carbon dendrites obtained in the plasma of an atmospheric-pressure gas discharge has been studied. It has been shown that the formation of these clathrates is due to the difference between characteristic times: the lifetime of molecules surrounding argon atoms and the time of C–C bonding. It has been noted that argon clathrates with carbon dendrites can form only if a number of conditions are met: formation of molecular traps in the discharge, provision of a sufficiently low temperature at the center of the arc discharge, and the presence of active carbon particles arising from plasma decomposition of hydrocarbon precursors. Whether or not these conditions are met depends primarily on the composition of the initial hydrocarbon mixture and discharge current density, as follows from experimental data.