Structural characterisation of macromolecular organic material in air particulate matter using Py-GC-MS and solid state 13C-NMR

Nano Ag/Co3O4 Catalyzed Rapid Decomposition of Robinia pseudoacacia Bark for Production Biofuels and Biochemicals

Biomass energy has attracted widespread attention due to its renewable, storage, huge production and clean and pollution-free advantages. Using Robinia pseudoacacia bark (RPB) as raw material, biogas and bio-oil produced by pyrolysis of RPB were detected and analyzed by TG-DTG, TG-FTIR and PY-GC-MS under the action of nanocatalysis. TG results showed that CH₄ and CO flammable gases were produced by pyrolysis. PY-GC-MS results showed that RPB was rapidly pyrolyzed to obtain alcohols, ketones, aldehydes and acids bio-oil. The content of phenolic substances was the highest, accounting for 32.18% of all substances.Nanocatalysis has a certain effect on RPB, accelerating the precipitation of pyrolysis products and improving the over-oxidation of bio-oil. In addition, the extracts of RPB were identified and analyzed by FTIR, NMR, GC-MS and LC-Q-TOF-MS, and more than 100 active ingredients, such as Betaine, Epicathin and β-sitosterol, were detected. Their applications as additive energy in other fields were explored. Therefore, Robinia pseudoacacia bark constitutes a fine biofeedstock for biofuels and biochemicals.

Multidimensional Analytical Characterization of Water-Soluble Organic Aerosols: Challenges and New Perspectives

Water-soluble organic aerosols (OA) are an important component of air particles and one of the key drivers that impact both climate and human health. Understanding the processes involving water-soluble OA depends on how well the chemical composition of this aerosol component is decoded. Yet, obtaining detailed information faces several challenges, including water-soluble OA collection, extraction, and chemical complexity. This review highlights the multidimensional non-targeted analytical strategies that have been developed and employed for providing new insights into the structural and molecular features of water-soluble organic components present in air particles. First, the most prominent high-resolution mass spectrometric methods for near real-time measurements of water-soluble OA and their limitations are discussed. Afterward, a special emphasis is given to the degree of compositional information provided by offline multidimensional analytical techniques, namely excitation–emission (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and their hyphenation with chromatographic systems. The major challenges ahead on the application of these multidimensional analytical strategies for OA research are also addressed so that they can be used advantageously in future studies.

Atmospheric HULIS and its ability to mediate the reactive oxygen species (ROS): A review

Atmospheric humic-like substances (HULIS) are not only an unresolved mixture of macro-organic compounds but also powerful chelating agents in atmospheric particulate matters (PMs); impacting on both the properties of aerosol particles and health effects by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Currently, the interests of HULIS are intensively shifting to the investigations of HULIS-metal synergic effects and kinetics modeling studies, as well as the development of HULIS quantification, findings of possible HULIS sources and generation of ROS from HULIS. In light of HULIS studies, we comprehensively review the current knowledge of isolation and physicochemical characterization of HULIS from atmospheric samples as well as HULIS properties (hygroscopic, surface activity, and colloidal) and possible sources of HULIS. This review mainly highlights the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from PMs, HULIS and transition metals, especially iron. This review also summarized the mechanism of iron-organic complexation and recent findings of OH formation from HULIS-metal complexes. This review will be helpful to carry out the modeling studies that concern with HULIS-transition metals and for further studies in the generation of ROS from HULIS-metal complexes.

Chemical characterization of laboratory-generated tar ball particles

Abstract. The chemical properties of laboratory-generated tar ball (Lab-TB) particles produced from dry distillate (wood tars) of three different wood species in the laboratory were investigated by analytical techniques that had never been used before for their characterization. The elemental compositions of laboratory-generated tar balls (Lab-TBs) from three tree species were very similar to one another and to those characteristic of atmospheric tar balls (TBs) collected from the savanna fire during the SAFARI 2000 sampling campaign. The O ∕ C and H ∕ C molar ratios of the generated Lab-TBs were at the upper limit characteristic of soot particles. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra of the generated Lab-TBs were very similar to one another as well and also showed some similarity with those of atmospheric humic-like substances (HULIS). The FT-IR measurements indicated that Lab-TBs have a higher proportion of aromatic structure than HULIS and the oxygen atoms of Lab-TBs are mainly found in hydroxyl and keto functional groups. Whereas Raman activity was detected in the starting materials of the Lab-TBs (wood tars) in the range of 1000–1800 cm−1, the Raman spectra of TBs were dominated by two pronounced bands with intensity maxima near 1580 (G band) and 1350 cm−1 (D band), indicating the presence of sp2-hybridized carbon structures and disorder in them, respectively. In the Py-GC-MS chromatograms of the Lab-TBs mostly aromatic compounds (aromatic hydrocarbons, oxygenated aromatics and heterocyclic aromatics) were identified in accordance with the results of Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. According to organic carbon ∕ elemental carbon (OC ∕ EC) analysis using EUSAAR_2 thermal protocol, 22 % of the total carbon content of Lab-TBs was identified as EC, contrary to expectations based on the current understanding that negligible if any EC is present in this sub-fraction of the brown carbon family. Our results suggest that spherical atmospheric TBs with high C ∕ O molar ratios are closer to BC in many of their properties than to weakly absorbing HULIS.

Advanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy of natural organic matter

Solid-state NMR is essential for the characterization of natural organic matter (NOM) and is gaining importance in geosciences and environmental sciences. This review is intended to highlight advanced solid-state NMR techniques, especially a systematic approach to NOM characterization, and their applications to the study of NOM. We discuss some basics of how to acquire high-quality and quantitative solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra, and address some common technical mistakes that lead to unreliable spectra of NOM. The identification of specific functional groups in NOM, primarily based on ¹³C spectral-editing techniques, is described and the theoretical background of some recently-developed spectral-editing techniques is provided. Applications of solid-state NMR to investigating nitrogen (N) in NOM are described, focusing on limitations of the widely used ¹⁵N CP/MAS experiment and the potential of improved advanced NMR techniques for characterizing N forms in NOM. Then techniques used for identifying proximities, heterogeneities and domains are reviewed, and some examples provided. In addition, NMR techniques for studying segmental dynamics in NOM are reviewed. We also briefly discuss applications of solid-state NMR to NOM from various sources, including soil organic matter, aquatic organic matter, organic matter in atmospheric particulate matter, carbonaceous meteoritic organic matter, and fossil fuels. Finally, examples of NMR-based structural models and an outlook are provided.

Unraveling the structural features of organic aerosols by NMR spectroscopy: a review

Our limited understanding of the effect of organic aerosols (OAs) on the climate and human health is largely because of the vast array of formation processes and sources that produce a multitude of molecular structures and physical properties. The need to unravel the enormous complexity and heterogeneity of OAs and thus understand their effects on the climate and human health has led to the development of different off-line methods based on the use of advanced analytical techniques. Within this context, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has become essential for acquiring detailed structural characterization of the complex natural organic matter contained in atmospheric aerosols. In this article, we present a critical review on the application of NMR spectroscopy in OAs (primary and secondary) studies, focusing mainly on the water-soluble organic fraction, and how NMR has impacted our knowledge on atmospheric organic matter. A major emphasis is given on the wealth of chemical information that solid-state and multi-dimensional solution-state NMR can provide, including the sources, formation pathways, seasonal, and regional characterization of atmospheric OAs. Finally, major challenges are discussed and recommendations for future research directions are proposed.

Characterization of fine particulate matter in ambient air by combining TEM and multiple spectroscopic techniques--NMR, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy

This paper reports a systematic study of the microstructures and spectroscopic characteristics of PM2.5 and its potential sources in Beijing by combining transmission electron microscopy and multiple spectroscopic techniques: nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. TEM images showed that dominant components of PM2.5 are airborne organic substances with many trace metal elements which are associated with combustion sources. NMR spectra precisely determined the percentage of carbonaceous speciation in both PM2.5 (with spatial and temporal distribution) and its potential sources, and distinguished the similarities and differences among them. In FTIR spectra, a remarkable peak at 1390 cm(-1) that appeared only in PM2.5 samples was attributed to NH4NO3, representing the occurrence of secondary processes. Raman spectra revealed certain inorganic compounds including sulfate and nitrate ions. Based on the analysis of the decomposition of Raman spectra, spectral parameters provided structural information and helped to find potential sources of PM2.5. In the space of carbon aromaticity index and ID1/IG, PM2.5 points followed a linear distribution which may also be useful in source tracing. The result shows that the combined non-destructive methods are efficient to trace the sources of PM2.5.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for determining the functional content of organic aerosols: a review

The knowledge deficit of organic aerosol (OA) composition has been identified as the most important factor limiting our understanding of the atmospheric fate and implications of aerosol. The efforts to chemically characterize OA include the increasing utilization of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Since 1998, the functional composition of different types, sizes and fractions of OA has been studied with one-dimensional, two-dimensional and solid state proton and carbon-13 NMR. This led to the use of functional group ratios to reconcile the most important sources of OA, including secondary organic aerosol and initial source apportionment using positive matrix factorization. Future research efforts may be directed towards the optimization of experimental parameters, detailed NMR experiments and analysis by pattern recognition methods to identify the chemical components, determination of the NMR fingerprints of OA sources and solid state NMR to study the content of OA as a whole.

Functional characterization of the water-soluble organic carbon of size-fractionated aerosol in the southern Mississippi Valley

The chemical content of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) as a function of particle size was characterized in Little Rock, Arkansas in winter and spring 2013. The objectives of this study were to (i) compare the functional characteristics of coarse, fine and ultrafine WSOC and (ii) reconcile the sources of WSOC for periods when carbonaceous aerosol was the most abundant particulate component. The WSOC accounted for 5 % of particle mass for particles with δ_p > 0.96 μm and 10 % of particle mass for particles with δ_p < 0.96 μm. Non-exchangeable aliphatic (H-C), unsaturated aliphatic (H-C-C=), oxygenated saturated aliphatic (H-C-O), acetalic (O-CH-O) and aromatic (Ar-H) protons were determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR). The total non-exchangeable organic hydrogen concentrations varied from 4.1 ± 0.1 nmol m^-3 for particles with 1.5 < δ_p < 3.0 μm to 73.9 ± 12.3 nmol m^-3 for particles with δ_p < 0.49 μm. The molar H/C ratios varied from 0.48 ± 0.05 to 0.92 ± 0.09, which were comparable to those observed for combustion-related organic aerosol. The R-H was the most abundant group, representing about 45 % of measured total non-exchangeable organic hydrogen concentrations, followed by H-C-O (27 %) and H-C-C= (26 %). Levoglucosan, amines, ammonium and methanesulfonate were identified in NMR fingerprints of fine particles. Sucrose, fructose, glucose, formate and acetate were associated with coarse particles. These qualitative differences of ¹H-NMR profiles for different particle sizes indicated the possible contribution of biological aerosols and a mixture of aliphatic and oxygenated compounds from biomass burning and traffic exhausts. The concurrent presence of ammonium and amines also suggested the presence of ammonium/aminium nitrate and sulfate secondary aerosol. The size-dependent origin of WSOC was further corroborated by the increasing δ¹³C abundance from -26.81 ± 0.18 ‰ for the smallest particles to -25.93 ± 0.31 ‰ for the largest particles and the relative distribution of the functional groups as compared to those previously observed for marine, biomass burning and secondary organic aerosol. The latter also allowed for the differentiation of urban combustion-related aerosol and biological particles. The five types of organic hydrogen accounted for the majority of WSOC for particles with δ_p > 3.0 μm and δ_p < 0.96 μm.

Comparative study for separation of atmospheric humic-like substance (HULIS) by ENVI-18, HLB, XAD-8 and DEAE sorbents: elemental composition, FT-IR, 1H NMR and off-line thermochemolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)

Humic-like substances (HULIS) are significant constituents of aerosols, and the isolation and characterization of HULIS by solid-phase extraction methods are dependent on the sorbents used. In this study, we used the following five methods: ENVI-18, HLB-M, HLB-N, XAD-8 and DEAE, to isolate atmospheric HULIS at an urban site. Then we conducted a comparative investigation of the HULIS chemical characteristics by means of elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and off-line thermochemolysis with tetramethylammonium hydroxide. The results indicate that HULIS isolated using different methods show many similarities in chemical composition and structure. Some differences were however also observed between the five isolated HULIS: HULISHLB-M contains a relatively high content of OCH group, compared to HULISENVI-18 and HULISXAD-8; HULISXAD-8 contains a relatively high content of hydrophobic and aromatic components, compared to HULISENVI-18 and HULISHLB-M; HULISDEAE contains the highest content of aromatic functional groups, as inferred by (1)H NMR spectra, but a great amount of salts generally present in the HULISDEAE and thereby limited the choices for characterizing the materials (i.e., elemental analysis and TMAH thermochemolysis); HULISHLB-N has relatively high levels of H and N, a high N/C atomic ratio, and includes N-containing functional groups, which suggests that it has been altered by 2% ammonia introduced in the eluents. In summary, we found that ENVI-18, HLB-M, and XAD-8 are preferable methods for isolation and characterization of HULIS in atmospheric aerosols. These results also suggest that caution is required when applying DEAE and HLB-N isolating methods for characterizing atmospheric HULIS.

Molecular turnover time of soil organic matter in particle-size fractions of an arable soil

The composition and molecular residence time of soil organic matter (SOM) in four particle-size fractions (POM >200 microm, POM 63-200 microm, silt and clay) were determined using Curie-point pyrolysis/gas chromatography coupled on-line to mass spectrometry. The fractions were isolated from soils, either continuously with a C(3) wheat (soil (13)C value = -26.4 per thousand), or transferred to a C(4) maize (soil (13)C value = -20.2 per thousand) cropping system 23 years ago. Pyrograms contained up to 45 different pyrolysis peaks; 37 (ca. 85%) were identifiable compounds. Lignins and carbohydrates dominated the POM fractions, proteins were abundant, but lignin was (nearly) absent in the silt and clay fractions. The mean turnover time (MRT) for the pyrolysis products in particulate organic matter (POM) was generally <15 years (fast C pool) and 20-300 years (medium or slow C pools) in silt and clay fractions. Methylcyclopentenone (carbohydrate) in the clay fraction and benzene (mixed source) in the silt fraction exhibited the longest MRTs, 297 and 159 years, respectively. Plant-derived organic matter was not stored in soils, but was transformed to microbial remains, mainly in the form of carbohydrates and proteins and held in soil by organo-mineral interactions. Selective preservation of plant-derived OM (i.e. lignin) based on chemical recalcitrance was not observed in these arable soils. Association/presence of C with silt or clays in soils clearly increased MRT values, but in an as yet unresolved manner (i.e. 'truly' stabilized, or potentially still 'labile' but just not accessible C).

Characterization of organic matter in total suspended particles by thermodesorption and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The organic matter in tropospheric aerosol plays an important role in atmospheric physical and chemical processes. The bulk of organic matter, representing a significant proportion of the total suspended particulate (TSP) mass, is bound to polymeric material whose structure and properties are largely unknown. Here we used thermodesorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Td-GC/MS) to study organic compounds of low molecular mass and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to characterize the chemical structure of macromolecules in TSP samples collected in different seasons from different sites in Guangzhou. n-Alkanes, fatty acids and nitriles were the predominant compounds in the thermodesorption products, whereas aromatics, fatty acids, nitriles and n-alkanes/alkenes were the major compounds in the pyrolysates. The results indicated that aromatics were main units in macromolecules. The fatty acids and nitriles formed from carboxylic ammonium salts were detected in both thermodesorption products and pyrolysates at a certain concentration, indicating the importance of these compounds in TSP formation. The TSP source mainly determined the occurrence of compounds in samples from urban, suburban and forest sites, whereas the TSP source and formation process maybe controlled the seasonal variation in compounds detected. High levels of nitriles in summer samples from suburban and forest sites coincide with the release of ammonium from the land and of fatty acids from vegetation at these sites.

Characterization of organosulfates from the photooxidation of isoprene and unsaturated fatty acids in ambient aerosol using liquid chromatography/(-) electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

In the present study, we have characterized in detail the MS(2) and MS(3) fragmentation behaviors, using electrospray ionization (ESI) in the negative ion mode, of previously identified sulfated isoprene secondary organic aerosol compounds, including 2-methyltetrols, 2-methylglyceric acid, 2-methyltetrol mononitrate derivatives, glyoxal and methylglyoxal. A major fragmentation pathway for the deprotonated molecules of the sulfate esters of 2-methyltetrols and 2-methylglyceric acid and of the sulfate derivatives of glyoxal and methylglyoxal is the formation of the bisulfate [HSO(4)](-) anion, while the deprotonated sulfate esters of 2-methyltetrol mononitrate derivatives preferentially fragment through loss of nitric acid. Rational interpretation of MS(2), MS(3) and accurate mass data led to the structural characterization of unknown polar compounds in K-puszta fine aerosol as organosulfate derivatives of photooxidation products of unsaturated fatty acids, i.e. 2-hydroxy-1,4-butanedialdehyde, 4,5- and 2,3-dihydroxypentanoic acids, and 2-hydroxyglutaric acid, and of alpha-pinene, i.e. 3-hydroxyglutaric acid. The deprotonated molecules of the sulfated hydroxyacids, 2-methylglyceric acid, 4,5- and 2,3-dihydroxypentanoic acid, and 2- and 3-hydroxyglutaric acids, showed in addition to the [HSO(4)](-) ion (m/z 97) neutral losses of water, CO(2) and/or SO(3), features that are characteristic of humic-like substances. The polar organosulfates characterized in the present work are of climatic relevance because they may contribute to the hydrophilic properties of fine ambient aerosol. In addition, these compounds probably serve as ambient tracer compounds for the occurrence of secondary organic aerosol formation under acidic conditions.

The application of thermal methods for determining chemical composition of carbonaceous aerosols: a review

Thermal methods of various forms have been used to quantify carbonaceous materials. Thermal/optical carbon analysis provides measurements of organic and elemental carbon concentrations as well as fractions evolving at specific temperatures in ambient and source aerosols. Detection of thermally desorbed organic compounds with thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) identifies and quantifies over 100 individual organic compounds in particulate matter (PM) samples. The resulting mass spectra contain information that is consistent among, but different between, source emissions even in the absence of association with specific organic compounds. TD-GC/MS is a demonstrated alternative to solvent extraction for many organic compounds and can be applied to samples from existing networks. It is amenable to field-deployable instruments capable of measuring organic aerosol composition in near real-time. In this review, thermal stability of organic compounds is related to chemical structures, providing a basis for understanding thermochemical properties of carbonaceous aerosols. Recent advances in thermal methods applied to determine aerosol chemical compositions are summarized and their potential for uncovering aerosol chemistry are evaluated. Current limitations and future research needs of the thermal methods are included.

Current awareness. Current literature in mass spectrometry

In order to keep subscribers up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, John Wiley & Sons are providing a current awareness service in each issue of the journal. The bibliography contains newly published material in the field of mass spectrometry. Each bibliography is divided into 11 sections: 1 Books, Reviews & Symposia; 2 Instrumental Techniques & Methods; 3 Gas Phase Ion Chemistry; 4 Biology/Biochemistry: Amino Acids, Peptides & Proteins; Carbohydrates; Lipids; Nucleic Acids; 5 Pharmacology/Toxicology; 6 Natural Products; 7 Analysis of Organic Compounds; 8 Analysis of Inorganics/Organometallics; 9 Surface Analysis; 10 Environmental Analysis; 11 Elemental Analysis. Within each section, articles are listed in alphabetical order with respect to author (3 Weeks journals - Search completed at 7th. Mar. 2001)