New particle formation under laboratory conditions: Subject of the experiments is the formation of new particles starting from the reaction OH + SO2 under near-atmospheric conditions. The influence of reaction parameters (humidity, temperature) as well as the presence of further compounds (organic substances, NH3) on the nucleation process is investigated.
Aerosol chamber experiments: The principal topic is the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from the ozonolysis of biogenic hydrocarbons. A second topic will be the study of the OH radical initiated reaction of (substituted) aromatic compounds with special attention to the analysis of particulate products.
OH-radical initiated gas-phase reactions: Mechanistic investigations are carried out concerning the atmospheric degradation of important organic compounds (benzene, butadiene, isoprene, α-pinene). The oxidation process is initiated by the OH radical.
Photochemical reactions in aqueous phase and phase transfers: Kinetic and mechanistic studies on oxidation reactions of atmospheric radicals (OH, NO3, SOX- and halogen radicals) with functionalized hydrocarbons in aqueous solution using laser flash photolysis technique. Studies on the photochemistry of iron-organic complexes and measurements of phase transfer parameters of trace gases and radicals applying a single drop experiment.
