An experimental technique for the direct measurement of N₂O₅ reactivity on ambient particles

Abstract

An experimental approach for the direct measurement of trace gas reactivity on ambient aerosol particles has been developed. The method utilizes a newly designed entrained aerosol flow reactor coupled to a custom-built chemical ionization mass spectrometer. The experimental method is described via application to the measurement of the N2O5 reaction probability, γ (N2O5). Laboratory investigations on well characterized aerosol particles show that measurements of γ (N2O5) observed with this technique are in agreement with previous observations, using conventional flow tube methods, to within ±20% at atmospherically relevant particle surface area concentrations (0–1000 μm2 cm−3). Uncertainty in the measured γ (N2O5) is discussed in the context of fluctuations in potential ambient biases (e.g., temperature, relative humidity and trace gas loadings). Under ambient operating conditions we estimate a single-point uncertainty in γ (N2O5) that ranges between ± (1.3×10-2 + 0.2×γ (N2O5)), and ± (1.3×10-3 + 0.2×γ (N2O5)) for particle surface area concentrations of 100 to 1000 μm2 cm−3, respectively. Examples from both laboratory investigations and field observations are included alongside discussion of future applications for the reactivity measurement and optimal deployment locations and conditions.