Effects of molecular structure on the chemistry of aerosol formation from the OH-radical-initiated oxidation of alkanes and alkenes

Aerosol particles have significant effects on a number of important atmospheric processes and phenomena including atmospheric chemistry, visibility, cloud formation, precipitation, climate and human health. A large fraction of this particulate matter is secondary organic aerosol (SOA), which is form...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International reviews in physical chemistry 2011-04, Vol.30 (2), p.161-195
Main Author: Ziemann, P. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosols
Air pollution
Airborne particulates
Alkanes
Alkenes
atmospheric chemistry
Atmospherics
Carbon
Chemistry
gas-to-particle conversion
Molecular structure
Oxidation
particulate matter
secondary organic aerosol
Volatile organic compounds
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Summary:Aerosol particles have significant effects on a number of important atmospheric processes and phenomena including atmospheric chemistry, visibility, cloud formation, precipitation, climate and human health. A large fraction of this particulate matter is secondary organic aerosol (SOA), which is formed by gas-to-particle conversion of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted to the atmosphere from biogenic and anthropogenic sources. The physical and chemical processes by which SOA is formed are complex and are not sufficiently well-understood to provide adequate understanding and predictions regarding the role of this material in the atmospheric system. This review describes and illustrates the fundamental components of the SOA formation process using results from systematic experimental and modelling studies of the reactions of two major classes of VOC emissions, alkanes and alkenes, with the dominant atmospheric oxidant, OH radicals, under conditions representative of a polluted atmosphere. In particular, the presentation draws from studies aimed at elucidating the effects of molecular structure including carbon number, chain branching and C=C double bonds on the reaction kinetics, products and mechanisms and their subsequent impact on SOA formation. The simple concepts drawn from the presented results provide a useful framework for understanding the chemistry of SOA formation from more complex reactions and for identifying critical areas for future research.
ISSN:0144-235X
1366-591X
DOI:10.1080/0144235X.2010.550728