30th Annual Student Research Conference
Making and Breaking Global Coolants: Analysis of Structure and Hydrolysis of Sulfate Esters
Kyle J. Angle
Dr. Amy Fuller and Dr. Tim Humphry, Faculty Mentors
Molecules called sulfate esters have been detected in the atmosphere, but little is known about the properties of the most abundant species. They are highly relevant to global climate due to their high hygroscopicity and cooling potential, but nothing is known about their solid state strucutre or mechanisms of hydrolysis. Trends in details of sulfate ester structures elucidated by x-ray diffraction at Argonne national laboratory by the Humphry/Fuller research group will be discussed, including implications of the strength of bonds and charge distribution present in the molecules. Conditions causing hydrolysis and the resulting impact on the environment will also be presented, with emphasis on NMR spectra evidence and analysis of side products.
Keywords: Hydrolysis, Diffraction, Coolants, Bonding, Catalysis, Kinetics, Esters, Environment
Topic(s):Chemistry
Environmental Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 303-1
Location: MG 1096
Time: 1:00