Collaborative Research: Atmospheric Formation and Implications of Secondary Organic Aerosol from Glycols and Glycol Ethers

这项研究的目标是改进挥发性化学产品(VCP)在预测大气中细颗粒物形成和传输的模型中的表示。消费品、杀虫剂、涂料和表面涂料等VCP的使用会导致挥发性有机化合物(VOC)的排放，从而形成臭氧和二次有机气溶胶(SOA)。这项研究的结果将为政策制定者提供更好的信息，以做出明智的决策，以减轻气溶胶对空气质量、气候和人类健康的影响。在这个项目中，PI计划进行室内实验，以全面表征乙二醇光化学氧化产生的气体和颗粒相氧化产物。这项研究将促进对VCPs在大气中去向的了解，并有助于：(1)了解碳数、分子结构和NOx在与大气相关的二元醇和乙二醇醚生成SOA中的作用；(2)阐明二元醇和乙二醇醚光氧化生成气相和颗粒相产物的组成和形成途径；(3)确定在大气模型中表示VCPs生成SOA和臭氧所需的化学机制和参数；以及(4)使用化学传输模型(WRF-Chem)确定VCP排放对城市大气中的SOA和氧化剂负荷的贡献和影响。参与该项目的科学家将与科罗拉多州立大学的外联和教育中心合作，开发并分享实践STEM工具包，供教育工作者和中学生学习大气化学。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The goal of this research is to improve the representation of volatile chemical products (VCPs) within models that predict the formation and transport of fine particles in the atmosphere. The use of VCPs such as consumer products, pesticides, paints, and surface coatings can result in the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that lead to the formation of ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The results of this research will provide policymakers with better information to make informed decisions to mitigate the air quality, climate, and human health impacts from aerosols.In this project, the PIs plan to perform chamber experiments to comprehensively characterize the gas- and particle-phase oxidation products from the photochemical oxidation of glycols and glycol ethers. This research will advance knowledge about the fate of VCPs in the atmosphere and help to: (1) understand the role of carbon number, molecular structure, and NOx on atmospherically relevant formation of SOA from glycols and glycol ethers; (2) elucidate the composition and formation pathways for gas- and particle-phase products from photooxidation of glycols and glycol ethers; (3) determine the chemical mechanisms and parameterizations needed to represent SOA and ozone formation from VCPs in atmospheric models; and (4) identify the contribution and influence of VCP emissions on the SOA and oxidant burden in the urban atmosphere using a chemical transport model (WRF-Chem).Scientists in this project will partner with the Outreach and Education Center at Colorado State University to develop and share hands-on STEM kits for educators and middle school students to learn about atmospheric chemistry.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.