An improved method for the quantification of SOA bound peroxides

An improvement is made to a method for the quantification of SOA-bound peroxides. The procedure is based on an iodometric-spectrophotometric method that has been commonly used for the determination of peroxides in a wide range of biological and environmental samples. The improved method was applied to determine the peroxide content of laboratory-generated SOA from α-pinene ozonolysis. Besides main improvements for the detection conditions, the use of more environmentally sound solvents is considered instead of carcinogenic solvents. In addition to the improved method for peroxide determination, the present study provides evidence for artefact formation caused by ultrasonic agitation for the extraction of organic compounds in SOA filter samples. The concentration of SOA-bound peroxides in the extracts from ultrasonic agitation were up to three times higher than those from a laboratory orbital shaker under the same extraction conditions, indicating peroxide formation caused by acoustic cavitation during extraction. In contrast, pinic acid, terebic acid and terpenylic acid showed significantly lower concentrations in the sample extract prepared using ultrasonic agitation, indicating that these compounds react with OH radicals that are formed from acoustic cavitation. Great care should be taken when extracting SOA samples and the use of ultrasound should be avoided.