Heterogeneous chemistry of monocarboxylic acids on α-Al₂O₃ at ambient condition

Abstract

Abstract. A study of the atmospheric heterogeneous reactions of formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid on dust particles (α-Al2O3) was performed at ambient condition by using a diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) reactor. From the analysis of the spectral features, observations of carboxylates formation provide strong evidence for an efficient reactive uptake process. Comparison of the calculated and experimental vibrational frequencies of adsorbed carboxylates establishes the bridging coordinated structures on the surface. The uptake coefficients of formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid on α-Al2O3 particles are (2.07±0.26)×10−3, (5.00±0.69)×10−3, and (3.04±0.63)×10−3, respectively (using geometric area). Besides, the effect of various relative humid (RH) on this heterogeneous reactions was studied. The uptake coefficients of monocarboxylic acids on α-Al2O3 particles increase initially (RH<20%) and then decrease with the increased RH (RH>20%) which was due to the effect of water on carboxylic acids solvation, particles surface hydroxylation, and competition on reactive site. On the basis of the results of experimental simulation, the mechanism of heterogeneous reaction of dust with carboxylic acids at ambient condition was discussed. The loss of atmospheric monocarboxylic acids due to reactive uptake on available mineral dust particles can be competitive with homogeneous loss pathways, especially in dusty urban and desertified environments.