UC Irvine chemist helped shed light on the formation of an air-clearing molecule. Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that creates hydroxide (OH) through a strong electric field at the surface between airborne water droplets and surrounding air, which can help the atmosphere clear itself of
New research has found that a strong electric field at the surface between airborne water droplets and the surrounding air can create hydroxide through a previously unknown mechanism. This discovery is expected to reshape the scientific understanding of how the atmosphere clears itself of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Previously, researchers believed that sunlight was the main driver of OH formation.
It’s a finding that stands to reshape how scientists understand how the air clears itself of things like human-emitted pollutants and greenhouse gases, which OH can react with and eliminate. “You need OH to oxidize hydrocarbons, otherwise they would build up in the atmosphere indefinitely,” said Nizkorodov.
The team built on research from Stanford University scientists led by Richard Zare that reported spontaneous formation of hydrogen peroxide on the surfaces of water droplets. The new findings help interpret the unexpected results from the Zare group. The findings, Nizkorodov reported, alter understanding of the sources of OH, something that will change how other researchers build computer models that attempt to forecast how air pollution happens.
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