Environmental chemistry at vapor/water interfaces: insights from vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy

Annu Rev Phys Chem. 2012:63:107-30. doi: 10.1146/annurev-physchem-032511-143811. Epub 2012 Jan 3.

Abstract

The chemistry that occurs at surfaces has been an intense area of study for many years owing to its complexity and importance in describing a wide range of physical phenomena. The vapor/water interface is particularly interesting from an environmental chemistry perspective as this surface plays host to a wide range of chemistries that influence atmospheric and geochemical interactions. The application of vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG), an inherently surface-specific, even-order nonlinear optical spectroscopy, enables the direct interrogation of various vapor/aqueous interfaces to elucidate the behavior and reaction of chemical species within the surface regime. In this review we discuss the application of VSFG to the study of a variety of atmospherically important systems at the vapor/aqueous interface. Chemical systems presented include inorganic ionic solutions prevalent in aqueous marine aerosols, small molecular solutes, and long-chain fatty acids relevant to fat-coated aerosols. The ability of VSFG to probe both the organization and reactions that may occur for these systems is highlighted. A future perspective toward the application of VSFG to the study of environmental interfaces is also provided.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols / chemistry
  • Ions / chemistry
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods*
  • Steam / analysis
  • Surface Properties
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Ions
  • Lipids
  • Steam
  • Water