Identification of polymers as major components of atmospheric organic aerosols.

Kalberer, M; Paulsen, D; Sax, M; Steinbacher, M; Dommen, J; Prevot, A S H; Fisseha, R; Weingartner, E et al. · Science · 2004

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

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.