Western Kentucky University
A Study of Cationic Effects, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Photolysis on Nitrate Through Raman Spectroscopy
Institution
Western Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Matthew Nee
Abstract
Evaluating the interaction of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals in the photolysis of nitrate is essential for understanding the photolysis of nitrate in snowpack, which is heavily influenced by chemicals released due to UV radiation. Using Raman spectroscopy, the interactions of hydrogen peroxide with nitrate during photolysis were studied. Samples of nitrate and hydrogen peroxide were photolyzed and Raman spectra were collected over the course of three hours for each sample. Samples were tested in which only the hydrogen peroxide or the potassium nitrate was photolyzed in addition to samples where both species were photolyzed. In another study the effect of the counter ion was tested by using samples of ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and sodium nitrate. This was done to analyze how the Raman spectra of each sample changed as a function of time. There was a distinct difference in the Raman spectra of the samples in which only the potassium nitrate or the hydrogen peroxide changed as a function of time. The change in the Raman spectra was believed to result from the hydroxyl radical generated from the hydrogen peroxide. The data collected enhances our understanding of the hydroxyl radical and its influence on the photolysis of nitrate.
A Study of Cationic Effects, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Photolysis on Nitrate Through Raman Spectroscopy
Evaluating the interaction of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals in the photolysis of nitrate is essential for understanding the photolysis of nitrate in snowpack, which is heavily influenced by chemicals released due to UV radiation. Using Raman spectroscopy, the interactions of hydrogen peroxide with nitrate during photolysis were studied. Samples of nitrate and hydrogen peroxide were photolyzed and Raman spectra were collected over the course of three hours for each sample. Samples were tested in which only the hydrogen peroxide or the potassium nitrate was photolyzed in addition to samples where both species were photolyzed. In another study the effect of the counter ion was tested by using samples of ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and sodium nitrate. This was done to analyze how the Raman spectra of each sample changed as a function of time. There was a distinct difference in the Raman spectra of the samples in which only the potassium nitrate or the hydrogen peroxide changed as a function of time. The change in the Raman spectra was believed to result from the hydroxyl radical generated from the hydrogen peroxide. The data collected enhances our understanding of the hydroxyl radical and its influence on the photolysis of nitrate.