In-beam Mössbauer spectra for 57 Mn implanted sulfur hexafluoride

To investigate the interactions of 57 Fe atoms with sulfur hexafluoride SF 6 molecules, in-beam Mössbauer spectra were measured for 57 Mn implanted SF 6 at 9 K and 65 K. Isolated 57 Fe atoms or ions produced by β-decay were not trapped within the SF 6 matrix. At 9 K, monomeric FeF 2 and FeF 3 molecules were produced by reaction of 57 Fe with F atoms released by decomposition of the SF 6 molecules. When the temperature of the SF 6 solid was increased to 65 K, FeF 4 was formed in addition to FeF 2 and FeF 3 . Density functional calculations were performed to confirm the assignments of the candidate species identified in the Mössbauer spectra.