Unexpected catalytic influence of atmospheric pollutants on the formation of environmentally persistent free radicals

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) have been recognized as harmful and persistent environmental pollutants. In polluted regions, many acidic and basic atmospheric pollutants, which are present at high concentrations, may influence the extent of the formation of EPFRs. In the present paper, density functional theory (DFT) and ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) calculations were performed to investigate the formation mechanisms of EPFRs with the influence of the acidic pollutants sulfuric acid (SA), nitric acid (NA), organic acid (OA), and the basic pollutants, ammonia (A), dimethylamine (DMA) on α-Al2O3 (0001) surface. Results indicate that both acidic and basic pollutants can enhance the formation of EPFRs by acting as “bridge” or “semi-bridge” roles by proceeding via a barrierless process. Acidic pollutants enhance the formation of EPFRs by first transferring its hydrogen atom to the α-Al2O3 surface and subsequently reacting with phenol to form an EPFR. In contrast, basic pollutants enhance the formation of EPFRs by first abstracting a hydrogen atom from phenol to form a phenoxy EPFR and eventually interacting with the α-Al2O3 surface. These new mechanistic insights will inform in understanding the abundant EPFRs in polluted regions with high mass concentrations of acidic and basic pollutants. [Display omitted] •Both acidic and basic pollutants enhance the formation of EPFRs barrierlessly.•Pollutants act as hydrogen atom transfer catalysts for EPFRs formation.•Acidic and basic pollutants promote EPFRs formation with different processes.•The new insights are helpful to clarify the abundant EPFRs in polluted regions.