| NSF Org: |
CHE Division Of Chemistry |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | July 29, 2019 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 6, 2024 |
| Award Number: | 1905302 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Samy El-Shall
selshall@nsf.gov (703)292-7416 CHE Division Of Chemistry MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | August 15, 2019 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2025 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $354,468.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $354,468.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2020 = $60,146.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
18111 NORDHOFF ST NORTHRIDGE CA US 91330-0001 (818)677-1403 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge CA US 91330-8309 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): | Environmental Chemical Science |
| Primary Program Source: |
01002021DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
This award is from the Environmental Chemical Sciences Program in the Division of Chemistry. Professor Mads P. Sulbaek Andersen of California State University, Northridge and his group investigate Far Ultra-Violet (FUV) photolysis of airborne pollutants. Volatile organic pollutants are emitted from domestic and industrial processes and impact the human and environmental health on local to global scales. This project investigates the chemistry behind gas-phase Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), which can assist in purification of air directly in factory emission points or in building air-conditioning systems. The promise of AOP is that the technology can limit the high energy consumption associated with traditional filter-based air-cleaning systems. However, the FUV photolysis and processes utilized in AOPs may result in compounds more toxic than the parent pollutant. An accurate understanding of the fundamental kinetics and chemical reaction pathways associated with FUV degradation of the organic pollutants is crucial to determining the nature of the resulting compounds and their environmental fate and impact. The results of this research impact our understanding at a molecular level of photochemical processes that impact urban air quality. The project provides training opportunities for undergraduate students and supports a research-rich learning environment at a primarily undergraduate, minority-serving, institution.
Photolysis quantum yields and chemical oxidation mechanisms initiated at FUV wavelengths (~121-200 nm) are not well known for volatile organic compounds. This project uses a temperature-controlled advanced photochemical simulation chamber with in-situ excimer-radiation lamps and multi-pass analytical optics. Reactants and oxidation products are monitored using optical techniques including Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and high-resolution vacuum UV spectrophotometry. UV absorption cross sections are measured from 120-200 nm, as a function of temperature, for important, high-volume compounds emitted from industrial processes (aromatics, carbonyls, N-containing compounds). The 172-nm quantum yields of photolysis are measured and the photolysis mechanisms are investigated as a function of pressure, temperature and O2 partial pressure. This research provides new knowledge on fundamental photochemistry and is used for quantitative assessment of the fates and impact of the products formed during FUV photochemistry of organic gaseous pollutants. The research team is largely comprised of undergraduate researchers at this minority serving institution.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
