ez9b00425_si_001.pdf (3.43 MB)
Autoxidation of Limonene Emitted in a University Art Museum
journal contribution
posted on 2019-08-21, 13:03 authored by Demetrios Pagonis, Lucas B. Algrim, Derek J. Price, Douglas A. Day, Anne V. Handschy, Harald Stark, Shelly L. Miller, Joost A. de Gouw, Jose L. Jimenez, Paul J. ZiemannThe
lifetime of alkylperoxy radicals (RO2•) formed in the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is
a key determinant of reaction mechanisms and products. When RO2• radical lifetimes are long, autoxidation
reactions can form highly oxidized multifunctional compounds (HOMs)
that are efficient at forming secondary organic aerosol (SOA). We
measured the formation of HOMs resulting from the O3-initiated
autoxidation of limonene emitted inside the University of Colorado
Art Museum. Conditions inside the museum favored autoxidation for
most of the 6-week study, indicating that autoxidation is prevalent
indoors in the absence of an indoor combustion source of nitrogen
oxide (NO). A box model of the museum was used with measurements of
VOCs, O3, and NOx and air exchange
to estimate HOM and SOA yields and to model the limonene oxidation
rate. The HOM molar yield of 11% agrees well with the results of laboratory
studies of limonene autoxidation, and the SOA mass yield of 47
± 8% indicates that limonene autoxidation efficiently forms
SOA indoors.