The heterogeneous reaction of hydroxyl radicals with sub-micron squalane particles: a model system for understanding the oxidative aging of ambient aerosols

Smith, JD; Kroll, JH; Cappa, CD; Che, DL; Liu, CL; Ahmed, M; Leone, SR; Worsnop, DR; Wilson, KR

HERO ID

619765

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2009

HERO ID 619765
In Press No
Year 2009
Title The heterogeneous reaction of hydroxyl radicals with sub-micron squalane particles: a model system for understanding the oxidative aging of ambient aerosols
Authors Smith, JD; Kroll, JH; Cappa, CD; Che, DL; Liu, CL; Ahmed, M; Leone, SR; Worsnop, DR; Wilson, KR
Journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Volume 9
Issue 9
Page Numbers 3209-3222
Abstract The heterogeneous reaction of OH radicals with sub-micron squalane particles, in the presence of O-2, is used as a model system to explore the fundamental chemical mechanisms that control the oxidative aging of organic aerosols in the atmosphere. Detailed kinetic measurements combined with elemental mass spectrometric analysis reveal that the reaction proceeds sequentially by adding an average of one oxygenated functional group per reactive loss of squalane. The reactive uptake coefficient of OH with squalane particles is determined to be 0.3 +/- 0.07 at an average OH concentration of similar to 1 x 10(10) molecules cm(-3). Based on a comparison between the measured particle mass and model predictions it appears that significant volatilization of a reduced organic particle would be extremely slow in the real atmosphere. However, as the aerosols become more oxygenated, volatilization becomes a significant loss channel for organic material in the particle-phase. Together these results provide a chemical framework in which to understand how heterogeneous chemistry transforms the physiochemical properties of particle-phase organic matter in the troposphere.
Doi 10.5194/acp-9-3209-2009
Wosid WOS:000266189700021
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000266189700021
Is Public Yes
Keyword Atmospheric pollution models; Organic aerosols in atmosphere; Atmospheric chemistry models; Atmospheric chemistry; Mass spectrometry; Hydroxyl photochemistry; Aerosols; Kinetics; Organic matter; Physicochemical properties; Troposphere; Particulates; Atmosphere; Hydroxyl radicals; aging; 2009)
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