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Studies of the nature and reactivity of laboratory and atmospheric soot

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5628636

The functional groups on the surface of n-hexane soot have been characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and wet chemical analyses. There is evidence for the presence of lactone besides anhydride groups on the soot surface, and the three bands in the 800 cm{sup {minus}1} region have been assigned to C-H bonds. The reactivity of the laboratory prepared n-hexane soot has been examined through its reaction with SO{sub 2} and O{sub 3}. The reaction of soot with SO{sub 2} was performed at room temperature, elevated temperatures, and in the presence of UV radiation. The results of this study suggest that, sulfate on the soot surface is formed when mixtures of soot, SO{sub 2} and water are exposed to UV light. Spectroscopic, gravimetric, kinetic studies and wet chemical analyses of the soot-ozone reaction were carried out. A complete understanding of the behaviors of both soot and ozone was obtained. In collaboration with the Colorado Department of Health, Air Pollution Division and the Public Service Company of Colorado, a study of the Denver aerosol during the winter of 1986-87 was carried out. A total of 150 PM{sub 10} quartz filters were collected from Welby, CAMP, Downtown, and Englewood and analyzed for soot, sulfate, nitrate, and Pb. Teflon and nylon filters packs were also exposed at Welby, Downtown, and Englewood and analyzed for sulfate, nitrate, and Pb. Most of the chemical components of the Denver aerosol have been characterized, and correlated to each other and to the sources types. These aerosol components are also correlated to visibility reduction through measurements of the absorption extinction coefficients of the particles collected on the filters.

Research Organization:
Denver Univ., CO (USA)
OSTI ID:
5628636
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English