Residents in some areas of the developing world are currently coping with dangerous levels of air pollution. Recent research, co-led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, is leading to a new understanding of a key chemical able to break down some major air pollutants.
Residents in some areas of the developing world are currently coping with dangerous levels of air pollution. Recent research, co-led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, is leading to a new understanding of a key chemical able to break down some major air pollutants.
Argonne’s Stephen Klippenstein and his collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania examined the Criegee intermediate, a carbonyl oxide that consists of molecules able to break down sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Scientists believe these molecules contribute to health issues.
“Astonishingly close agreement of our theoretical work and experimental data is providing important insights into the dynamics of chemical reactions,” said Klippenstein.
According to Klippenstein, this research improves models for atmospheric chemistry. The team’s work also further validates a major theory for predicting chemical reactivity.
Read more at DOE/Argonne National Laboratory
Photo credit: Alfred T. Palmer via Wikimedia Commons
