The atmospheric oxidation of monoterpenes plays a central role in the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Unfortunately, models of SOA formation have large uncertainties, in part because they have had to rely on estimated values of vapor pressure for the monoterpene oxidation products. To alleviate this problem, we have developed a simple, reliable, high-throughput method for measuring the vapor pressures of low-volatility compounds. This method, which is based on the gas saturation technique, uses several pairs of saturators and traps linked in series. Consequently, several measurements of vapor pressure can be made simultaneously, which allows for strategies that ensure data quality. For example, control compounds can be measured simultaneously with the other samples. In this talk, we discuss the use of this method to determine the vapor pressures of five monoterpene oxidation products and n-tetradecane (a control compound) over the temperature range 283.15 K � 313.15 K.

Fundamental measurements to support aerosol modeling: Vapor pressures of terpene derivatives

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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