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The reaction of ClONO 2 with HCl on aluminum oxide
Author(s) -
Molina Mario J.,
Molina Luisa T.,
Zhang Renyi,
Meads Roger F.,
Spencer Darryl D.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/97gl01560
Subject(s) - stratosphere , relative humidity , ozone , catalysis , chlorine , sulfuric acid , chemistry , atmospheric chemistry , inorganic chemistry , materials science , meteorology , atmospheric sciences , geology , organic chemistry , physics
The chlorine activation reaction ClONO 2 + HCl → HNO 3 + Cl 2 was investigated in the laboratory on hydroxylated α‐alumina surfaces under reactant partial pressure, humidity, and temperature conditions covering those which are encountered at mid‐latitudes in the lower stratosphere. The measured reaction probability is γ∼ 0.02. This result has implications with regard to the stratospheric impact of launch vehicles utilizing solid‐fuel rocket motors (SRMs), such as the Space Shuttle. The exhaust from SRMs consists of alumina particles and of HCl and other vapors. The reaction probability measured in this work suggests that the ozone depletion potential of SRMs may be higher than that predicted on the basis of the chlorine emissions alone, especially at mid‐latitudes in the lower stratosphere, where catalytic chlorine activation by background sulfuric acid aerosols is very inefficient. The reaction probability on Pyrex glass was found to be similar to that on α‐alumina. The reaction mechanism appears to be determined by the water layers adsorbed on the surface, rather than by the detailed nature of the refractory surface itself.