Abstract
A bench-scale matrix isolation system coupled with an FTIR spectrometer has been established for investigating the formation mechanism of tropospheric ozone. Mixtures of NO2, O2, and Ar are prepared and deposited on the matrix chamber at 8-12 K under vacuum. The matrix is then photolyzed to verify the mechanism of tropospheric ozone formation. Results show that both O3 and NO are produced during the photolysis experiments, which serves as the first verification of the reaction pathway using matrix isolation technique. The characteristics, temperature effect, potential applications and limitations of matrix isolation technique are assessed and summarized. It is concluded that the matrix isolation spectroscopy can be an effective technique for investigating atmospheric reactions involving highly reactive species with short atmospheric lifetimes.
