Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 12 March 2004:
Vol. 303. no. 5664, pp. 1659 - 1662
DOI: 10.1126/science.1092185
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Reports

Identification of Polymers as Major Components of Atmospheric Organic Aerosols

M. Kalberer,1* D. Paulsen,2 M. Sax,1 M. Steinbacher,2 J. Dommen,2 A. S. H. Prevot,2 R. Fisseha,2 E. Weingartner,2 V. Frankevich,1 R. Zenobi,1 U. Baltensperger2*

Results from photooxidation of aromatic compounds in a reaction chamber show that a substantial fraction of the organic aerosol mass is composed of polymers. This polymerization results from reactions of carbonyls and their hydrates. After aging for more than 20 hours, about 50% of the particle mass consists of polymers with a molecular mass up to 1000 daltons. This results in a lower volatility of this secondary organic aerosol and a higher aerosol yield than a model using vapor pressures of individual organic species would predict.

1 Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8053 Zurich, Switzerland.
2 Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: urs.baltensperger{at}psi.ch (U. B.); kalberer{at}org.chem.ethz.ch (M. K.)

Read the Full Text


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Epoxying Isoprene Chemistry.
T. E. Kleindienst (2009)
Science 325, 687-688
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
High natural aerosol loading over boreal forests..
P. Tunved, H.-C. Hansson, V.-M. Kerminen, J. Strom, M. D. Maso, H. Lihavainen, Y. Viisanen, P. P. Aalto, M. Komppula, and M. Kulmala (2006)
Science 312, 261-263
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Rapid Formation of Sulfuric Acid Particles at Near-Atmospheric Conditions.
T. Berndt, O. Boge, F. Stratmann, J. Heintzenberg, and M. Kulmala (2005)
Science 307, 698-700
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)