Heterogeneous uptake of NO2 on Arizona Test Dust under UV-A irradiation: An aerosol flow tube study

The uptake rate of NO2 on Arizona Test Dust aerosols was measured using an aerosol flow tube (AFT). While the uptake rate in the dark could not be measured, the uptake under UV-A irradiation was enhanced, with values in the range from (0.6 ± 0.3) × 10−8, (2.4 ± 0.4) × 10−8. The observed gas phase products were HONO and NO, with yields of at 30% and 9.6%, respectively. The difference between these measurements and those previously reported on macroscopic films are discussed and differences highlighted. Interestingly, a reasonable agreement is observed between the uptake kinetics of NO2 on Arizona Test Dust macroscopic films and aerosols, despite the different experimental approaches. The simplest approach i.e. thin films having a significant porosity, provides similar uptake kinetics to the more complex and realistic AFT approach.