The project investigates gas-phase oxidation of aromatic volatile organic compounds, a class of the hydrocarbon emission burden caused by human activities. These compounds pose serious health risks as many of them are carcinogenic, and their gas-phase oxidation leads to fine particulate matter, or aerosol, that are a major cause of premature death. Despite significant efforts to understand these oxidation reactions, current models still underestimate the contribution of aromatic compounds to atmospheric aerosol. This project uses a combination of quantum chemistry, and flow reactor and chamber experiments to uncover novel reaction pathways of aromatic oxidation and provide better agreement between models and measurements. The new knowledge gained from this project will provide the necessary information for better policy decisions, and it will help decrease the uncertainties in past, current and future climate scenarios.

2023

2027