Vapor-deposited water and nitric acid ices: Physical and chemical properties

• Published in: International reviews in physical chemistry Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 53 - 109
• Main Authors: Leu, Ming-Taun, Keyser, Leon F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2009
• Subjects: heterogeneous reactions; nitric acid ice; physical and chemical properties; satellite surface; vapor deposition; water ice
• ISSN: 0144-235X; 1366-591X
• DOI: 10.1080/01442350802617129

Ices formed by vapor deposition have been the subject of numerous laboratory investigations in connection with snow and glaciers on the ground, ice clouds in the terrestrial atmosphere, surfaces of other planets and their satellites, and the interstellar medium. In this review we will focus on these specific subjects: (1) heterogeneous chemistry on the surfaces of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) and (2) surfaces of satellites of the outer planets in our solar system. Stratospheric ozone provides a protective shield for mankind and the global biosphere from harmful ultraviolet solar radiation. In past decades, theoretical atmospheric models for the calculation of ozone balance frequently used only homogeneous gas-phase reactions in their studies. Since the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole in 1985, however, it has been demonstrated that knowledge of heterogeneous reactions on the surface of PSCs is definitely needed to understand this significant natural event due to the anthropogenic emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). We will briefly discuss the experimental techniques for the investigation of heterogeneous chemistry on ice surfaces carried out in our laboratories. The experimental apparatus used include: several flow-tube reactors, an electron-impact ionization mass spectrometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, a BET adsorption apparatus, and a scanning environmental electron microscope. The adsorption experiments and electron microscopic work have demonstrated that the vapor-deposited ices are highly porous. Therefore, it is necessary to develop theoretical models for the elucidation of the uptake and reactivity of trace gases in porous ice substrates. Several measurements of uptake and reaction probabilities of these trace gases on water ices and nitric acid ices have been performed under ambient conditions in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, mainly in the temperature range 180-220 K. The trace gases of atmospheric importance in heterogeneous chemistry include: ClONO 2 , HCl, HOCl, and HNO 3 . In addition, recent interest in the possible landing of a robotic spacecraft on the surface of Europa, one of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, and ground based telescopic observations demand detailed knowledge of the physical properties of the icy surfaces of the outer planets and their satellites. Lower temperature studies in the range 77-150 K using both electron microscopy and adsorption isotherms (BET surface area measurements) have revealed some intriguing observations that may provide some insights for remote sensing of these satellite surfaces. Finally, we will attempt to summarize our recent results and suggest future research directions in both theoretical and laboratory investigations.