Heterogeneous reactivity of OH radicals with phenanthrene

A discharge flow technique was used to study the heterogeneous reaction of OH with phenanthrene adsorbed on the Pyrex surface of the reactor in the presence of NO2 and in the absence of light. The reaction kinetics were investigated by measuring the total loss of OH, followed by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). The large efficiency of the heterogeneous reaction and the change in the surface properties with exposure time were demonstrated. Oxidation products were also identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.