Comparison of Gas and Adsorbed Phase X-ray Photoemission Spectra of Oxidized Organics on Ice

Most uptake studies of small chain organics on ice surfaces at near ambient conditions have been performed using flow tube and other methods which monitor the disappearance of the gas phase. We will present results using synchrotron based, ambient pressure X-ray photoemission spectroscopy which allows for the probing of the ice surface directly at near ambient conditions. C 1s XPS and C K-edge NEXAFS gas phase and adsorbed phase spectra will be compared for 2-propanol, acetone, and 1-propanal on ice at -45 C. Uptake experiments give rise to first order Langmuirian isotherms. Acetone and 2-propanol show little difference in the photoemission spectra between the gas phase and adsorbed phase, suggesting that adsorption occurs molecularly. However, adsorption of 1-propanal shows evidence of chemical transformation (oxidation) at the interface of ice. Further studies are underway to better understand this adsorption behavior.