Secondary organic aerosol formation from cyclohexene ozonolysis: effect of OH scavenger and the role of radical chemistry

To isolate secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation in ozone-alkene systems from the additional influence of hydroxyl (OH) radicals formed in the gas-phase ozone-alkene reaction, OH scavengers are employed. The detailed chemistry associated with three different scavengers (cyclohexane, 2-butanol, and CO) is studied in relation to the effects of the scavengers on observed SOA yields in the ozone-cyclohexene system. Our results confirm those of Docherty and Ziemann that the OH scavenger plays a role in SOA formation in alkene ozonolysis. The extent and direction of this influence are shown to be dependent on the specific alkene. The main influence of the scavenger arises from its independent production of HO2 radicals, with CO producing the most HO2, 2-butanol an intermediate amount, and cyclohexane the least. This work provides evidence for the central role of acylperoxy radicals in SOA formation from the ozonolysis of alkenes and generally underscores the importance of gas-phase radical chemistry beyond the initial ozone-alkene reaction.