Kinetic model for binary homogeneous nucleation in the H2O-H2SO4 system: comparison with experiments and classical theory of nucleation

A kinetic model to predict nucleation rates in the sulfuric acid-water system is presented. It allows calculating steady-state nucleation rates and the corresponding time lag, using a direct solution of a system of kinetic equations that describe the populations of sub- and near-critical clusters. This kinetic model takes into account cluster-cluster collisions and decay of clusters into smaller clusters. The model results are compared with some predictions obtained with the classical nucleation theory (CNT) and also with available measurement data obtained in smog chambers or flow tubes. It is shown that in the case of slow nucleation processes, the kinetic model and the CNT as used by Shugard et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 75, 5298 (1974)] give the same results. However, in the case of intensive nucleation, a large part of the nucleation flux is due to cluster-cluster collisions and the CNT underestimates the nucleation rates.     

Improved quasi-unary nucleation model for binary H2SO4-H2O homogeneous nucleation

Aerosol nucleation events have been observed at a variety of locations worldwide, and may have significant climatic and health implications. Binary homogeneous nucleation (BHN) of H2SO4 and H2O is the foundation of recently proposed nucleation mechanisms involving additional species such as ammonia, ions, and organic compounds, and it may dominate atmospheric nucleation under certain conditions. We have shown in previous work that H2SO4-H2O BHN can be treated as a quasi-unary nucleation (QUN) process involving H2SO4 in equilibrium with H2O vapor, and we have developed a self-consistent kinetic model for H2SO4-H2O nucleation. Here, the QUN approach is improved, and an analytical expression yielding H2SO4-H2O QUN rates is derived. Two independent measurements related to monomer hydration are used to constrain the equilibrium constants for this process, which reduces a major source of uncertainty. It is also shown that the capillarity approximation may lead to a large error in the calculated Gibbs free energy change for the evaporation of H2SO4 molecules from small H2SO4-H2O clusters, which affects the accuracy of predicted BHN nucleation rates. The improved QUN model-taking into account the recently measured energetics of small clusters-is thermodynamically more robust. Moreover, predicted QUN nucleation rates are in better agreement with available experimental data than rates calculated using classical H2SO4-H2O BHN theory.     

Kinetic stability of tetrazaporphin in binary H2SO4-AcOH and H2SO4-DMSO solutions

The state and kinetic stability of tetrazaporphin (I) in acetic acid and in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the presence of H₂SO₄ were investigated. Partial protonatiqn of I to give I-AcOH₂ associates occurs in acetic acid. The kinetic parameters of the reaction involving the destruction of tetrazaporphin in the presence of H₂SO₄ in acetic acid and DMSO solutions were determined. The mechanism of the destruction is discussed.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 7, pp. 932–936, July, 1984.     

Quasi-unary homogeneous nucleation of H2SO4-H2O

We show that the binary homogeneous nucleation (BHN) of H2SO4-H2O can be treated as quasi-unary nucleation of H2SO4 in equilibrium with H2O vapor. A scheme to calculate the evaporation coefficient of H2SO4 molecules from H2SO4-H2O clusters is presented and a kinetic model to simulate the quasi-unary nucleation of H2SO4-H2O is developed. In the kinetic model, the growth and evaporation of sulfuric acid clusters of various sizes are explicitly simulated. The kinetic quasi-unary nucleation model does not have two well-recognized problems associated with the classical BHN theory (violation of the mass action law and mismatch of the cluster distribution for monomers) and is appropriate for the situations where the assumption of equilibrium cluster distribution is invalid. The nucleation rates predicted with our quasi-unary kinetic model are consistent with recent experimental nucleation experiments in all the cases studied, while the most recent version of the classical BHN model systematically overpredicts the nucleation rates. The hydration of sulfuric acid clusters, which is not considered in the classical model but is accounted for implicitly in our kinetic quasi-unary model, is likely to be one of physical mechanisms that lead to lower nucleation rates. Further investigation is needed to understand exactly what cause the difference between the kinetic quasi-unary model and the classical BHN model.     

(H3O)Nd(SO4)2

The crystal structure of oxonium neodymium bis(sulfate), (H₃O)Nd(SO₄)₂, shows a two‐dimensional layered framework assembled from SO₄ tetrahedra and NdO₉ tricapped trigonal prisms. One independent sulfate group makes four S—O—Nd linkages, while the other makes five such connections to generate an unprecedented anhydrous anionic [Nd(SO₄)₂]⁻ layer. To achieve charge balance, H₃O⁺ cations are inserted between adjacent layers where they participate in hydrogen‐bonding interactions with the sulfate O atoms of adjacent layers.     

Synthese und Struktur neuer Natriumhydrogensulfate Na(H3O)(HSO4)2; Na2(HSO4)2(H2SO4) und Na(HSO4)(H2SO4)2

Synthesis and Structure of New Sodium Hydrogen Sulfates Na(H₃O)(HSO₄)₂, Na₂(HSO₄)₂(H₂SO₄), and Na(HSO₄)(H₂SO₄)₂ Three acidic sodium sulfates have been synthesized from the system sodium sulfate/sulfuric acid and have been crystallographically characterized. Na(H₃O)(HSO₄)₂ ( A ) crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with the unit cell parameters a = 6.974(2), b = 13.086(2), c = 8.080(3) Å, α = 105.90(4)°, V = 709.1 Å3, Z = 4. Na₂(HSO₄)₂(H₂SO₄) ( B ) is orthorhombic (space group Pna2₁) with the unit cell parameters a = 9.970(2), b = 6.951(1), c = 13.949(3) Å, V = 966.7 ų and Z = 4. Na(HSO₄)(H₂SO₄)₂ ( C ) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with the unit cell parameters a = 5.084(1), b = 8.746(1), c = 11.765(3) Å, α = 68.86(2)°, β = 88.44(2)°, γ = 88.97(2)°, V = 487.8 Å3 and Z = 2. All three compounds contain SO₄ tetrahedra as HSO₄^? anions and additionally in B and C in form of H₂SO₄ molecules. The ratio H:SO₄ determines the connectivity degree in the hydrogen bond system. In A , there are zigzag chains and dimers additionally connected via oxonium ions. Complex chains consisting of cyclic trimers (two HSO₄^? and one H₂SO₄) are present in B . In structure C , several parallel chains are connected to columns due to the greater content of H₂SO₄. Sodium cations show a distorted octahedral coordination by oxygen in all three structures, the NaO₆ octahedra being “isolated” (connected via SO₄ tetrahedra only) in A . Pairs of octahedra with common edge form Na₂O₁₀ dimeric units in C . Such double octahedra are connected via common corners forming zigzag chains in B .     

Use of differential calorimetry for characterization of hydration processes in the system Ca4(Al6O12) (SO4)-CaSO4.2H2O-H2O

Differential calorimetry was used to determine the heat evolution and kinetics of hydration processes of the calciumsulphatealuminate phase Ca₄(Al₆O₁₂)(SO₄) with gypsum CaSO₄ · 2H₂O at room temperature with one mole of water added to the solid phase. An increasing content of sulphate ions in the sytem results in substitution of the monosulphate Ca₄(Al₂O₆)(SO₄) · 12H₂O in the reaction products by ettringite, Ca₆(Al₂O₆)(SO₄)₃ · 32H₂O. Higher contents of ettringite influence the rates of hydration reactions and the values of the evolved heat.

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Zusammenfassung Die Wärmeentwicklung und ihr zeitlicher Ablauf bei der Hydratation des Calciumsulfat-aluminats Ca₄(Al₆O₁₂)SO₄ mit Gips CaSO₄ · 2H₂O bei Zimmertemperatur und einem Wasser/Feststoff-Massenverhältnisw/s=1 wurde durch isotherme Differenzkalorimetrie untersucht. Bei erhöhtem Sulfatgehalt wird das Monosulfat Ca₄(Al₂O₆)SO₄ · 12H₂O im Reaktionsprodukt durch Ettringit Ca₆(Al₂O₆)(SO₄)₃ · 32H₂O ersetzt. Der erhöhte Ettringitgehalt beeinflusst die Beschleunigung der Hydration und die abgegebene Wärmemenge.

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₃( l₆₁₂) (SO₄) . - ₆(l₂₆)(S₄)₃·32₂, .

     

Oxidation of mesitylene by hydrogen peroxide in AcOH-Ac2O-H2SO4

By the oxidation of raesitylene by hydrogen peroxide in AcOH-Ac₂O-H₂SO₄ one can obtain mesitol (2,4,6-trimethylphenol) (with a selectivity of 57–69% at a mesitylene conversion of 22–16% and the acetate of mesitol with a selectivity of 72–85% at 25–22% conversion. The peroxide responsible for the oxidation of mesitylene in this system is in the form of peracetic acid, formedin situ. Over the concentration range studied, the reaction is first order in AcOOH, mesitylene, and H₂SO₄. Hydroxylation of mesitylene by AcOOH proceeds by an electrophilic substitution mechanism, the limiting step being the formation of the -complex.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2716–2721, December, 1990.The authors express their thanks to L. V. Efremova, G. M. Maksimov, and V. D. Chinakov for their assistance in this work.     

Experimental determination of the H2SO4/(NH4)2SO4/H2O phase diagram

We have experimentally investigated the water and sulfuric acid-rich regions of the H2SO4/(NH4)2SO4/H2O ternary liquid/solid phase diagram using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy of thin films. We present the liquid/solid ternary phase diagram for temperatures below 373 K and H2SO4 concentrations below 60 wt %. We have determined two ternary eutectics and two tributary reaction points for this system in the regions studied. It is also seen that sulfuric acid tetrahydrate (SAT) forms as a metastable solid over a large concentration range. Two true binary systems have been identified: ice/letovicite and SAT/ammonium bisulfate. Finally, we have compared our results to the predictions of the aerosol inorganics model and have found significant differences both in the final melting points and in the location of some of the phase boundaries including a significant discrepancy in the invariant points predicted versus those observed.     

Saure Sulfate des Neodyms: Synthese und Kristallstruktur von (H5O2)(H3O)2Nd(SO4)3 und (H3O)2Nd(HSO4)3SO4

Acidic Sulfates of Neodymium: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of (H₅O₂)(H₃O)₂Nd(SO₄)₃ and (H₃O)₂Nd(HSO₄)₃SO₄ Light violett single crystals of (H₅O₂)(H₃O)₂ · Nd(SO₄)₃ are obtained by cooling of a solution prepared by dissolving neodymium oxalate in sulfuric acid (80%). According to X‐ray single crystal investigations there are H₃O⁺ ions and H₅O₂⁺ ions present in the monoclinic structure (P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 1159.9(4), b = 710.9(3), c = 1594.7(6) pm, β = 96.75(4)°, R_all = 0.0260). Nd³⁺ is nine‐coordinate by oxygen atoms. The same coordination number is found for Nd³⁺ in the crystal structure of (H₃O)₂Nd(HSO₄)₃SO₄ (triclinic, P1, Z = 2, a = 910.0(1), b = 940.3(1), c = 952.6(1) pm, α = 100.14(1)°, β = 112.35(1)°, γ = 105.01(1)°, R_all = 0.0283). The compound has been prepared by the reaction of Nd₂O₃ with chlorosulfonic acid in the presence of air. In the crystal structure both sulfate and hydrogensulfate groups occur. In both compounds pronounced hydrogen bonding is observed.     

(NH4)3[VO2(SO4)2(H2O)2]·1.5H2O

The title compound, tri­ammonium cis‐di­aqua‐cis‐dioxo‐trans‐disulfatovanadate 1.5‐hydrate, was obtained by oxidizing V^IV to V^V in a 2 M sulfuric acid solution of vanadyl­ sulfate and adding ammonium sulfate. Here, the V atom is sandwiched by two sulfate groups by corner‐sharing to form a discrete [VO₂(SO₄)₂(OH₂)₂]^3? anion. The water mol­ecules occupy cis positions in the equatorial plane of the vanadium octahedron.     

Vibrationally induced dissociation of sulfuric acid (H2SO4)

One of the important reactive steps in Earth's atmosphere is the decomposition of H(2)SO(4) to H(2)O and SO(3). However, because the UV spectrum of H(2)SO(4) was not found up to 140 nm, alternative mechanisms, including vibrationally induced dissociation, were proposed. Using adiabatic reactive molecular dynamics (ARMD) simulations with validated force fields for the product and educt channels, it is shown through explicit atomistic simulation that by exciting the ν(9) (OH-stretching-) mode, photodissociation can occur on the picosecond time scale. With the potential energy surfaces used in the present work, ν(9) = 4 is sufficient for this process. From a statistically significant number of trajectories (several thousands), vibrationally induced dissociation times are found to follow Gamma-distributions with most likely reaction times between 40 and 200 ps by depositing energies ranging from 40 to 60 kcal/mol, corresponding to 4 and 6 vibrational quanta in the OH stretching vibration. Because ARMD simulations allow multiple and long-time simulations, both nonstatistical, impulsive H-transfer and statistical, IVR-regimes of the decomposition reaction can be discussed in detail at an atomistic level.