Quantification of functionalised carboxylic acids in size-resolved tropospheric particles and cloud water

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Tropospheric multiphase processes lead to the formation of many functionalised carboxylic acids, i.e. acids with additional functional groups such as hydroxyl, oxo or nitro groups. These highly oxygenated compounds in particles and cloud water are at present not easily accessible by the existing analytical techniques. Liquid phase separation techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis, in combination with mass spectrometry are promising for the detection of a wide range of functionalised carboxylic acids. However, severe matrix effects hamper quantification. In this project, we aim at developing a sample preparation method which allows a simple quantification of functionalised carboxylic acids from particles and cloud water. The method will then be used in combination with CE-MS to study the concentrations of mid-chain (C5- C10) functionalised carboxylic acids in size-resolved particle samples and cloud water. This will allow to gain new insights into the atmospheric behaviour of highly oxygenated compounds.