Véronique Daële

Ozone Formation from Illuminated Titanium Dioxide Surfaces

The nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) decomposition on illuminated TiO(2) surfaces has been widely studied, but little is known about the subsequent formation of non-nitrogen containing products. In this study, TiO(2) coated glass surfaces and TiO(2) films with nitrate anions (either premixed with TiO(2) as KNO(3) or deposited from gaseous NO(x)) are irradiated with broad-band light. Upon irradiation, detected gas phase products include NO(2), HNO(2), and O(3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reveals the production of O(3) from TiO(2) surfaces. By surface charge transfer reactions, nitrate anions are oxidized into nitrate radicals and their photochemistry (almost in the visible) leads to O(3) formation, enhancing the oxidizing power of these surfaces.

Studies on atmospheric degradation of diazinon in the EUPHORE simulation chamber

The gas phase atmospheric degradation of diazinon has been investigated at the large outdoor European Photoreactor (EUPHORE) in Valencia, Spain. The rate constant for reaction of diazinon with OH radicals was measured using a conventional relative rate method with di-n-buthylether as reference compound being k = (3.5 ± 1.2) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 302 ± 10 K and atmospheric pressure. The available evidence indicates that tropospheric degradation of diazinon is mainly controlled by reaction with OH radicals, and that the tropospheric lifetime with respect to the OH reaction is estimated to be around 4h whereas its lifetime with respect to the photolysis is higher than 1d under our conditions. Significant aerosol formation was observed following the reaction of diazinon with OH radicals, and the main carbon-containing products detected in the particle phase were hydroxydiazinon, hydroxydiazoxon and 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-pyrimidinyl-4-ol.

Studies of the gas phase reactions of linalool, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol and 3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol with O3 and OH radicals.

The reactions of three unsaturated alcohols (linalool, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol, and 3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol) with ozone and OH radicals have been studied using simulation chambers at T ∼ 296 K and P ∼ 760 Torr. The rate coefficient values (in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) determined for the three compounds are linalool, k(O3) = (4.1 ± 1.0) × 10(-16) and k(OH) = (1.7 ± 0.3) × 10(-10); 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol, k(O3) = (3.8 ± 1.2) × 10(-16) and k(OH) = (1.0 ± 0.3) × 10(-10); and 3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol, k(O3) = (5.2 ± 0.6) × 10(-18) and k(OH) = (6.2 ± 1.8) × 10(-11). From the kinetic data it is estimated that, for the reaction of O(3) with linalool, attack at the R-CH═C(CH(3))(2) group represents around (93 ± 52)% (k(6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol)/k(linalool)) of the overall reaction, with reaction at the R-CH═CH(2) group accounting for about (1.3 ± 0.5)% (k(3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol)/k(linalool)). In a similar manner it has been calculated that for the reaction of OH radicals with linalool, attack of the OH radical at the R-CH═C(CH(3))(2) group represents around (59 ± 18)% (k(6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol)/k(linalool)) of the total reaction, while addition of OH to the R-CH═CH(2) group is estimated to be around (36 ± 6)% (k(3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol)/k(linalool)). Analysis of the products from the reaction of O(3) with linalool confirmed that addition to the R-CH═C(CH(3))(2) group is the predominant reaction pathway. The presence of formaldehyde and hydroxyacetone in the reaction products together with compelling evidence for the generation of OH radicals in the system indicates that the hydroperoxide channel is important in the loss of the biradical [(CH(3))(2)COO]* formed in the reaction of O(3) with linalool. Studies on the reactions of O(3) with the unsaturated alcohols showed that the yields of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) are higher in the absence of OH scavengers compared to the yields in their presence. However, even under low-NO(X) concentrations, the reactions of OH radicals with 3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol will make only a minor contribution to SOA formation under atmospheric conditions. Relatively high yields of SOAs were observed in the reactions of OH with linalool, although the initial concentrations of reactants were quite high. The importance of linalool in the formation of SOAs in the atmosphere requires further investigation. The impact following releases of these unsaturated alcohols into the atmosphere are discussed.

Kinetics and Products of Gas-Phase Reactions of Ozone with Methyl Methacrylate, Methyl Acrylate, and Ethyl Acrylate

The kinetics and products of the gas-phase reactions of ozone with methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, and ethyl acrylate have been investigated at 760 Torr total pressure of air and 294 +/- 2 K. The rate coefficients obtained (in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) units) were as follows: k(methyl methacrylate) = (6.7 +/- 0.9) x 10(-18), k(methyl acrylate) = (0.95 +/- 0.07) x 10(-18), and k(ethyl acrylate) = (1.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(-18). In addition to formaldehyde being observed as a product of the three reactions, the other major reaction products were methyl pyruvate from reaction of ozone with methyl methacrylate, methyl glyoxylate from reaction of ozone with methyl acrylate, and ethyl glyoxylate from reaction of ozone with ethyl acrylate. Possible reaction mechanisms leading to the observed products are presented and discussed.

Construction of a photocatalytic de-polluting field site in the Leopold II tunnel in Brussels

Within the framework of the European Life+-funded project PhotoPAQ (Demonstration of Photocatalytic remediation Processes on Air Quality), which was aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of photocatalytic coating materials on a realistic scale, a photocatalytic de-polluting field site was set up in the Leopold II tunnel in Brussels, Belgium. For that purpose, photocatalytic cementitious materials were applied on the side walls and ceiling of selected test sections inside a one-way tunnel tube. This article presents the configuration of the test sections used and the preparation and implementation of the measuring campaigns inside the Leopold II tunnel. While emphasizing on how to implement measuring campaigns under such conditions, difficulties encountered during these extensive field campaigns are presented and discussed. This included the severe de-activation observed for the investigated material under the polluted tunnel conditions, which was revealed by additional laboratory experiments on photocatalytic samples that were exposed to tunnel air. Finally, recommendations for future applications of photocatalytic building materials inside tunnels are given.

A tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer for formaldehyde atmospheric measurements validated by simulation chamber instrumentation

A tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDLAS) for formaldehyde atmospheric measurements has been set up and validated through comparison experiments with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) in a simulation chamber. Formaldehyde was generated in situ in the chamber from reaction of ethene with ozone. Three HCHO ro-vibrational line intensities (at 2909.71, 2912.09 and 2914.46 cm(-1)) possibly used by TDLAS were calibrated by FT-IR spectra simultaneously recorded in the 1600-3200 cm(-1) domain during ethene ozonolysis, enabling the on-line deduction of the varying concentration for HCHO in formation. The experimental line intensities values inferred confirmed the calculated ones from the updated HITRAN database. In addition, the feasibility of stratospheric in situ HCHO measurements using the 2912.09 cm(-1) line was demonstrated. The TDLAS performances were also assessed, leading to a 2sigma detection limit of 88 ppt in volume mixing ratio with a response time of 60 sec at 30 Torr and 294 K for 112 m optical path. As part of this work, the room-temperature rate constant of this reaction and the HCHO formation yield were found to be in excellent agreement with the compiled literature data.

Atmospheric Chemistry of Benzyl Alcohol: Kinetics and Mechanism of Reaction with OH Radicals

The atmospheric oxidation of benzyl alcohol has been investigated using smog chambers at ICARE, FORD, and EUPHORE. The rate coefficient for reaction with OH radicals was measured and an upper limit for the reaction with ozone was established; kOH = (2.8 ± 0.4) × 10(-11) at 297 ± 3 K (averaged value including results from Harrison and Wells) and kO(3) < 2 × 10(-19) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 299 K. The products of the OH radical initiated oxidation of benzyl alcohol in the presence of NOX were studied. Benzaldehyde, originating from H-abstraction from the -CH(2)OH group, was identified using in situ FTIR spectroscopy, HPLC-UV/FID, and GC-PID and quantified in a yield of (24 ± 5) %. Ring retaining products originating from OH-addition to the aromatic ring such as o-hydroxybenzylalcohol and o-dihydroxybenzene as well as ring-cleavage products such as glyoxal were also identified and quantified with molar yields of (22 ± 2)%, (10 ± 3)%, and (2.7 ± 0.7)%, respectively. Formaldehyde was observed with a molar yield of (27 ± 10)%. The results are discussed with respect to previous studies and the atmospheric oxidation mechanism of benzyl alcohol.

Reaction rate coefficients of OH radicals and Cl atoms with ethyl propanoate, n-propyl propanoate, methyl 2-methylpropanoate, and ethyl n-butanoate.

Kinetics of the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with four saturated esters have been investigated. Rate coefficients for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with ethyl propanoate (k(1)), n-propyl propanoate (k(2)), methyl 2-methylpropanoate (k(3)), and ethyl n-butanoate (k(4)) were measured using a conventional relative rate method and the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique. At (296 +/- 2) K, the rate coefficients obtained by the two methods were in good agreement. Significant curvatures in the Arrhenius plots have been observed in the temperature range 243-372 K for k(1), k(3), and k(4). The rate coefficients for the reactions of the four esters with Cl atoms were determined using the relative rate method at (296 +/- 2) K and atmospheric pressure. The values obtained are presented, compared with the literature values when they exist, and discussed. Reactivity trends and atmospheric implications for these esters are also presented.

Atmospheric degradation of lindane and 1,3-dichloroacetone in the gas phase. Studies at the EUPHORE simulation chamber

The gas-phase degradation of lindane (γ-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane) towards OH radical was investigated under atmospheric conditions at the large outdoor European simulation chamber (EUPHORE) in Valencia, Spain. The rate coefficient for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with lindane was measured using a conventional relative rate technique leading to a value of kOH(lindane)=(6.4±1.6)×10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 300±5 K and atmospheric pressure. The results suggest that the tropospheric lifetime of lindane with respect to OH radicals is approximately 20 days. The product distribution studies on the OH-initiated oxidation of lindane provided evidence that the major initial carbon-containing oxidation product is pentachlorocyclohexanone. 1,3-Dichloroacetone was employed as a model compound for pentachlorocyclohexanone, and an investigation of its photolysis and reaction with OH radicals under atmospheric conditions was carried out. The data indicate that the atmospheric degradation of pentachlorocyclohexanone would be relatively rapid, and would not form persistent organic compounds. Theoretical study was also employed to calculate possible degradation pathways. Mechanism for reaction of lindane with OH radicals is proposed, and C-Cl bond cleavage is discussed. OH abstraction is considered to be a reasonable way for Cl to escape during degradation. The atmospheric implications of the use of lindane as an insecticide are discussed.

NitroMAC: An instrument for the measurement of HONO and intercomparison with a long-path absorption photometer

NitroMAC (French acronym for continuous atmospheric measurements of nitrogenous compounds) is an instrument which has been developed for the semi-continuous measurement of atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO). This instrument relies on wet chemical sampling and detection using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-visible absorption at 540 nm. Sampling proceeds by dissolution of gaseous HONO in a phosphate buffer solution followed by derivatization with sulfanilamide/N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine. The performance of this instrument was found to be as follows: a detection limit of around 3 ppt with measurement uncertainty of 10% over an analysis time of 10 min. Intercomparison was made between the instrument and a long-path absorption photometer (LOPAP) during two experiments in different environments. First, air was sampled in a smog chamber with concentrations up to 18 ppb of nitrous acid. NitroMAC and LOPAP measurements showed very good agreement. Then, in a second experiment, ambient air with HONO concentrations below 250 ppt was sampled. While NitroMAC showed its capability of measuring HONO in moderate and highly polluted environments, the intercomparison results in ambient air highlighted that corrections must be made for minor interferences when low concentrations are measured.