Spectroscopic studies of solvated hydrogen and hydroxide ions at aqueous surfaces.

Measuring the molecular properties of the surface of acidic and basic aqueous solutions is essential to understanding a wide range of important biological, chemical, and environmental processes on our planet. In the present studies, vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) is employed in combination with isotopic dilution experiments at the vapor/water interface to elucidate the interfacial water structure as the pH is varied with HCl and NaOH. In acidic solutions, solvated proton species are seen throughout the interfacial region, and they alter the hydrogen bonding between water molecules in ways that reflect their depth in the interfacial region.

Adsorption of organosulfur species at aqueous surfaces: molecular bonding and orientation.

Four sulfur-containing compounds important to tropospheric chemistry have been examined at the vapor/H2O and vapor/D2O interfaces. These adsorbates, DMS, DMSO, DMSO2, and DMSO3, were studied by surface tension and vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS). Each adsorbate is surface active and each orients with the hydrophobic methyl groups pointed out of the plane of the interface.

Adsorption and reaction of CO2 and SO2 at a water surface.

The orientation and hydrogen bonding of water molecules in the vapor/water interfacial region in the presence of SO2 and CO2 gas are examined using vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) to gain insight into the adsorption and reactions of these gases in atmospheric aerosols. The results show that an SO2 surface complex forms when the water surface is exposed to an atmosphere of SO2 gas. Reaction of SO2 with interfacial water leads to other spectral changes that are examined by studying the VSF spectra and surface tension isotherms of several salts added to the aqueous phase, specifically NaHSO3, NaHCO3, Na2SO3, Na2CO3, Na2SO4, and NaHSO4.

SO2:H2O surface complex found at the vapor/water interface.

A weakly bonded SO2:H2O surface complex is found at the vapor/water interface prior to the reaction and dissolution of SO2 into the aqueous phase. The results have important implications for understanding the formation of atmospheric aerosols and understanding the atmospheric sulfur cycle.