Scientists find giant, hidden gas cloud only 300 light-years away: 'This cloud is literally glowing in the dark

I would think once gas becomes ionized, the electrostatic force takes over. Attracting electrons. Once the gas is neutralized, then the much weaker gravity attraction can take over.

Ionized gas molecules would be repulsive at the EM level. The strongest level. Might be why dust clouds last billions of years.

Just a supposition.