Non-linear vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy of atmospherically relevant molecules at aqueous solution surfaces

Surface vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy has been shown to be a powerful surface probe of molecules adsorbed at solid and liquid surfaces. Studies described herein apply this method to studying heterogeneous air/aqueous solution interfaces to understand surface adsorption and structure of several solute molecules adsorbed at aqueous surfaces. The molecules examined at aqueous solution surfaces include Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), methane sulfonic acid (MSA) and acetone. These results reveal that small soluble molecules such as these organize in different ways at the surface of aqueous solutions. This surface organization has implications for atmospheric chemical processes since adsorption at the surface of atmospheric aerosols affects bulk chemical concentrations.