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Photochemical oxidation of di-n-butyl phthalate in atmospheric hydrometeors by hydroxyl radicals from nitrous acid

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Abstract

The photochemical oxidation of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) by OH radicals from nitrous acid (HONO) in atmospheric hydrometeors was explored by two techniques, steady-state irradiation, and laser flash photolysis (LFP). The effects of atmospheric liquid parameters on DBP transformation were systematically evaluated, showing that DBP does not react with HONO directly and OH-initiated reactions are crucial steps for consumption and transformation of DBP. Two reaction channels are operative: OH addition and hydrogen atom abstraction. The overall rate constant for the reaction of DBP with OH is 5.7 × 109 M−1 s−1, and its specific rate constant for addition is 3.7 × 109 M−1 s−1 determined by using laser flash photolysis technique. Comparing the individual reaction rate constant for aromatic ring addition with the total rate constant, the majority of the OH radicals (about 65%) attack the aromatic ring. The major transformation products were identified by GC-MS, and the trends of their yields derived from both ring addition and H-abstraction with time are discussed. These results provide important insights into the photochemical transformation of DBP in atmospheric hydrometeors and contribute to atmospheric aerosol chemistry.

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Funding

Financial support was provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (21876038) and the Key University Science Research Project of Anhui Provincial Education Department of China (KJ2017ZD46).

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Correspondence to Chengzhu Zhu or Hongbin Xiong.

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Responsible editor: Gerhard Lammel

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Lei, Y., Zhu, C., Lu, J. et al. Photochemical oxidation of di-n-butyl phthalate in atmospheric hydrometeors by hydroxyl radicals from nitrous acid. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 31091–31100 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3091-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3091-y

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