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Title: Nitration of benzo(a)pyrene adsorbed on coal fly ash particles by nitrogen dioxide: role of thermal activation

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es0507867· OSTI ID:20674436
;  [1]
  1. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (United States). Department of Chemistry

Nitration of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) by nitrogen dioxide (NO{sub 2}) adsorbed on the surface of thermally activated coal fly ash and model aluminosilicate particles led to the formation of nitrobenzo(2)pyrenes as verified by extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Temperatures of up to 500{sup o}C were used. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was utilized to follow the nitration reaction on the surface of zeolite Y. Nitrobenzo(a)pyrene formation was observed along with the formation of nitrous acid and nitrate species. The formation of the BaP radical cation was also observed on thermally activated aluminosilicate particles by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. On the basis of GC/MS, DRIFTS, and ESR spectroscopy results, a mechanism of nitration involving intermediate BaP radical cations generated on thermally activated aluminosilicate particles is proposed. These observations have led to the hypothesis that nitration of adsorbed polyaromatic hydrocarbons on coal fly ash by reaction with nitrogen oxides can occur in the smokestack, but with the aging of the fly ash particles, the extent of the nitration reaction will be diminished. 52 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.

OSTI ID:
20674436
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 39, Issue 18; Other Information: dutta@chemistry.ohio-state.edu; ISSN 0013-936X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English