Research in the Zhang Group

Research Directions

I. Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation

We study the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that lead to formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The VOCs of interest include biogenic VOCs (e.g., monoterpenes) and anthropogenic hydrocarbons (e.g., aromatic VOCs). We perform controlled laboratory experiments of VOC oxidation and compositional measurements of the gas- and particle-phase products using advanced analytical instruments. We combine measurements and kinetic simulations to develop mechanistic understanding of VOC oxidation and SOA formation.

II. Organic Aerosol Evolution through Radical and Nonradical Processes

We study the chemical aging of organic aerosol through radical-induced reactions (i.e., heterogeneous oxidation) and nonradical reactions (i.e., nucleophilic/electrophilic, addition/condensation, etc.). The studies are performed using a laboratory aerosol flow tube reactor, where we mix organic aerosol model compounds with various oxidants. The products are characterized with various mass spectrometry instruments.