Abstract
The interaction of gaseous NH3 with thin films of sulfuric acid monohydrate (SAM, H3O+ HSO4-) in the 200-230 K range has been monitored by infrared spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The reaction occurs with the formation of the characteristic IR spectral features of the NH4+ and "salt" bisulfate ions, whilst loss of H3O+ and an additional surface species is observed. The evolution of the spectral features with time suggest that two processes are occurring at the uppermost surface layers, with a rapid initial reaction which saturates as the amount of available reactants on the surface is reduced and a slower continuous process which depends upon the transport of new reactants to and the removal of reaction products away from the surface. By comparison with the IR spectra of a variety of sulfuric acid hydrates, a surface reaction scheme is proposed and the implications of these observations for the reaction of condensed acids (sulfate aerosol) with bases in the atmosphere is discussed.
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