Atmospheric Organic Aerosol Production By Heterogeneous Acid-Catalyzed Particle-Phase Reactions

在这个项目中，研究人员将研究二次有机气溶胶（SOA）生产的基本反应化学。该小组先前的工作表明，颗粒内的酸催化反应可能极大地促进SOA的形成，这对大气气溶胶的产生具有重要意义。研究人员将追求实验室，室外室和建模元素，旨在(i)理解酸催化反应导致SOA的机制；（ii）量化挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）、酸成分和环境大气条件对SOA形成的影响，形成一组具有代表性的VOC反应；（iii）将这些结果纳入现有的化学动力学模型，以预测非酸性和酸性气溶胶催化条件下SOA的形成。该项目将通过实验提高我们对SOA形成的关键因素的基本理解，并通过建模和机理研究在一定尺度上深入了解大气中粒子的形成。大气中的粒子对全球气候的影响是一个重大的未知因素。该项目的首席研究员是一位早期职业女性研究科学家。该项目的进一步广泛影响包括为研究生进行定向研究和本科生获得研究经验提供教育支持。根据该合同购买的设备将在主办机构建立能力和研究基础设施。

In this project, the investigators will study the fundamental reaction chemistry of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production. Prior work from this group showed acid-catalyzed reactions within particles may greatly enhance SOA formation, this having important implications for atmospheric aerosol production. The investigators will pursue laboratory, outdoor chamber and modeling elements aimed at (i) understanding the mechanisms by which acid-catalyzed reactions lead to SOA; (ii) quantifying the effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), acid composition, and ambient atmospheric conditions on SOA formation for a representative set of VOC reactions; and (iii) incorporating those results into an existing chemical kinetic model in order to predict SOA formation under non-acid and acid aerosol catalysis conditions. The project will through experiment improve our basic understanding of factors critical to SOA formation, and through modeling and mechanistic studies provide insight into particle formation in the atmosphere on a range of scales. Particles in the atmosphere present a major unknown with respect to their impact on global climate. The project Principal Investigator is an early-career female research scientist. Further broad impacts of the project include educational support for graduate students to conduct directed research and undergraduates to gain research experience. Equipment purchased under this award will build capacity and research infrastructure at the host institution.