Negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy reveals thermodynamic advantage of organic acids in facilitating formation of bisulfate ion clusters: Atmospheric implications

Gao Lei Hou, Wei Lin, S. H.M. Deng, Jian Zhang, Wei Jun Zheng, Francesco Paesani, Xue Bin Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent lab and field measurements have indicated critical roles of organic acids in enhancing new atmospheric aerosol formation. Such findings have stimulated theoretical studies with the aim of understanding the interaction of organic acids with common aerosol nucleation precursors like bisulfate (HSO 4-). We report a combined negative ion photoelectron spectroscopic and theoretical investigation of molecular clusters formed by HSO4- with succinic acid (SUA, HO2C(CH 2)2CO2H), HSO4-(SUA) n (n = 0-2), along with HSO4-(H 2O)n and HSO4-(H2SO 4)n. It is found that one SUA molecule can stabilize HSO4- by ca. 39 kcal/mol, three times the corresponding value that one water molecule is capable of (ca. 13 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemical calculations reveal the most plausible structures of these clusters and attribute the stability of these clusters to the formation of strong hydrogen bonds. This work provides direct experimental evidence showing significant thermodynamic advantage by involving organic acid molecules to promote formation and growth in bisulfate clusters and aerosols.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)779-785
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Volume4
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 7 2013

Keywords

  • Aerosol Processes
  • Environmental and Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Geochemistry
  • and Astrochemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy reveals thermodynamic advantage of organic acids in facilitating formation of bisulfate ion clusters: Atmospheric implications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this