Aromatic hydrocarbons continue to play a major role in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation in urban areas.  This work evaluates similarities and differences in SOA chemical composition and aerosol forming potential from over a dozen aromatic precursors.  Investigation of structural relationships and first-generation aerosol forming products provide key insights into predicting SOA formation from these classes of compounds.  Aromatics investigated include benzene, toluene, xylene isomers, trimethylbenzene isomers, ethylbenzene, and ethyltoluene isomers as well as some phenolic products of these precursors.  Trends in chemical composition (O:C, H:C, and N:C) as measured by a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer as well as measured aerosol formation potentials is related to carbon number and location of ring substituents.  The impact of ultra-low NOx, low-NOx, and high NOx photooxidation conditions will be discussed.

Aerosol formation from aromatic precursors: Structural relationships and chemical composition

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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