The Role of Criegee Intermediates in Particle Formation and Growth during the Ozonolysis of Small Alkenes

Abstract:

Ozonolysis of alkenes is an important source of particulate matter (e.g., secondary organic aerosol) in the atmosphere. However, the mechanisms by which Criegee intermediates (CI) react to form the particles, particularly the oligomeric components, are currently not well understood. In this study, ozonolysis of trans-3-hexene was investigated with a focus on the formation mechanism of oligomers involving CI, as well as their contributions to particle formation and growth. Ozonolysis experiments were performed both in a static chamber and in a flow reactor in the absence and presence of an OH or stabilized CI (SCI) scavenger. The oligomeric and elemental composition of the total and size-selected particles was measured with different mass spectrometries, and the effects of adding OH and SCI scavengers were investigated. Size-selected measurements show that the relative abundance of higher ordered oligomers in the particles decreases with increasing particle size, indicating the preference of larger oligomers in the growth of smaller particles. Consistent with oligomeric composition, the O/C ratio of the particles decreases with particle size, suggesting more oxygenated organic material (e.g., primarily oligomeric peroxides) in smaller particles. The mechanism for particle formation suggested by these data is the initial reaction of RO₂ radicals to the CI, followed by sequential addition of CI, in agreement with the earlier work of Sadezky et al. (2008). The relationship to the mechanism of particle formation from larger alkenes such as terpenes and the atmospheric implications will be explored.