In this research project supported jointly by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program and the Atmospheric Chemistry Program, Professor Roberts and his coworkers will carry out basic studies of the chemistry of ice and solid acid hydrate multilayers. The effects of ice surface structure on the catalyis of reactions of importance in stratospheric chemistry will be examined. In addition, the adsorption and reaction of small molecules on solid sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid water solid solutions will be explored. The mechanism of the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of ice and acid hydrate layers will also be investigated. Ultra high vacuum electron spectroscopic probes as well as reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy will be applied to these studies. The information obtained in this research will be useful for developing an understanding of the stratospheric chemistry which governs catalytic ozone destruction, and will provide a basic understanding of the surface chemistry of important molecular solids. The chemistry of small molecules of atmospheric importance on the surface of ice and solid acid hydrates forms the focus of this research project. Adsorption and reaction of molecules such as HCl, HOCl, and HNO3 on ice and solid sulfuric acid surfaces will be examined using electron spectroscopy and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy. The information obtained from these studies will be important in developing an understanding of the chemistry leading to ozone depletion in the stratosphere, and in our basic knowledge of infrequently studied molecular solids such as ice and sulfuric acid.
