Vicki H. Grassian

Research Interests:
Surface science of environmental interfaces: heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry of the components of mineral dust - carbonates, clays and oxides: mineral dust and its impact on global processes - climate, biogeochemistry and health; applications and implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology in environmental processes - remediation, CWA decontamination, Fe nanoparticles in natural systems, impacts of nanomaterials on human health.

We are interested in understanding the surface chemistry of environmental interfaces and are using state-of-the-art techniques to unravel the complex chemistry that occurs at these interfaces. Several ongoing projects include (i) understanding the molecular level details of the heterogeneous chemistry of trace gases with particulate matter; (ii) applications and implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology in environmental processes. A brief summary of these projects is given below.

Grassian Group Website:  http://ostc.physics.uiowa.edu/%7Egrassian/

Heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry:

It has become increasingly clear that all kinds of particles - including ice, sea salt and mineral dust - are present in the Earth's atmosphere and that the surfaces of these particles play a role in the chemistry of the atmosphere. The ozone hole is one example of how heterogeneous chemistry involving chlorine-reservoir species on ice particles can decrease ozone levels in the stratosphere. In the troposphere, the region closest to the Earth's surface, there are many more particles and the heterogeneous chemistry of these particles with trace gases such as NO2, HNO3, SO2, O3 and organics is not well understood. In the Grassian research group, we are using a combination of surface spectroscopy, microscopy and particle analysis to gain a molecular level understanding of these important surface reactions. Reaction rate data measured in our laboratory for heterogeneous reactions of trace gases with mineral dust (CaCO3, α-Fe2O3, aluminum silicates.) are currently being incorporated into global chemistry models. We are also trying to understand how the surface chemistry of atmospheric particles can impact other global processes including climate, biogeochemical cycles and human health.

Applications and Implications of Nanoscience and

Nanotechnology in Environmental Processes:

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have potential use in environmental applications. In collaboration with Sarah Larsen, we are investigating nanocrystalline zeolite materials as new adsorbents and catalysts for use in environmental remediation, environmentally benign synthesis and the decontamination of chemical warfare agents.

Another aspect of our work is in the implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology and the environmental consequences of nanomaterials. We are collaborating with colleagues in Public Health to better understand the potential health effects of manufactured nanomaterials should they become suspended in air.

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Publications – since 2005

Preszler Prince, A., Kleiber, P.D., Grassian, V. H.,  and Young, M. A., “Reactive Uptake of Acetic Acid on Calcite and Nitric Acid Reacted Calcite Aerosol in an Environmental Reaction Chamber” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2008, 10, 142 - 152.

Hudson, P.; Gibson, E.; Kleiber, P.D.; Young, M. A. and Grassian, V. H. “Coupled infrared extinction and size distribution measurements for several clay components of mineral dust aerosol” Journal of Geophysical-Atmospheres, 2008, 113, D01201, doi:10.1029/2007JD008791.

Liu, Y.; Gibson, E. R.; Cain, J.P.; Wang, H.; Grassian, V. H.; Laskin, A. "Kinetic Study of Heterogeneous Reactions of CaCO3 Particles with HNO3 as a Function of Relative Humidity Using Single Particle Analysis” Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2008, 112, 1561 -1571.

Mogili, P.K.; Yang, K.H.; Young, M. A.; Kleiber, P. D. and Grassian, V. H. “Extinction Spectra of Mineral Dust Aerosol Components in an Environmental Aerosol Chamber:  IR Resonance Studies” Atmospheric Environment, 2008, 42, 1752-1761.

Cwiertny, D.M.; Baltrusaitis, J.; Hunter, G. J.; Laskin, A.; Scherer, M. M.; Grassian, V. H. “Characterization and Acid-Mobilization Study of Fe-Containing Mineral Dusts from Different Source Regions” Journal of Geophysical-Atmospheres, 2008, 113, D05202, doi:10.1029/2007JD009332.

Curtis, D. B.; Aycibin, M.; Arnold, N.P.; Grassian, V. H.; Young, M. A.; Kleiber, P. D. " A Laboratory Investigation of Light Scattering from Representative Components of Mineral Dust Aerosol at a Wavelength of 550 nm” Journal of Geophysical-Atmospheres, 2008, doi:10.1029/2007JD009387.

Cwiertny, D. M.; Handler, R. M.; Schaefer, M. V.; Grassian, V. H.Scherer, M. M. “Interpreting nanoscale size-effects in aggregated Fe-oxide suspensions:  Reaction of Fe(II) with Goethite” Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2008, 72, 1365-1380.

Prather, K., Hatch, C. and Grassian, V. H. “Analysis of Atmospheric Aerosols”  Annual Reviews of Analytical Chemistry, 2008, 1, in press.

Elzey, S.; Mubayi, A.; Larsen, S.C. and Grassian, V. H. "FTIR Study of the Selective Catalytic Reducation of NO2 with Ammonia on Nanocrystalline NaY and CuY" Journal of Molecular Catalysis, 2008, 288, 48-57.

Pettibone J.B.; Elzey, S.; Grassian, V. H. “An Integrated Approach Toward Understanding the Environmental Fate, Transport, Toxicity and Health Hazards of Nanomaterials” a book chapter in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Environmental and Health Impacts, Ed. Vicki H. Grassian, 2008, in press.

Grassian, V. H. and Larsen, S.C. “Applications of Nanocrystalline Zeolites to CWA Decontamination” V.H. Grassian, and S.C. Larsen book chapter in ACS Book on Decontamination Technologies , 2008, in press.

Pettibone J. B.; Cwiertny, D. M.; Scherer, M. and Grassian, V.H. “Adsorption of Organic Acids on TiO2 Nanoparticles:  Effects of pH, Nanoparticle Size and Nanoparticle Aggregation” Langmuir, 2008, in press.

Hatch, C. D.; Gierlus, K. M.; Schuttlefield, J.D. and Grassian, V. H. “Water Adsorption and Cloud Condensation Nuclei Activity of Calcite and Calcite Coated with Model Humic and Fulvic Acids” Atmospheric Environment, 2008, in press.

Grassian, V. H.; Adamcakova-Dodd, A.; Pettibone, J.B.; O’Shaughnessy, P.T.; Thorne, P. S. “Inflammatory response of mice to manufactured titanium dioxide nanoparticles: comparison of size effects through different exposure routes” Nanotoxicology, 2007, 1, 211-226.

Schuttlefield JD; Cox, D.; and Grassian V.H. “An Investigation of Water Uptake on Clays Minerals using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Quartz Crystal Microbalance Measurements “Journal of Geophysical-Atmospheres, 2007, 112, D21303, doi:10.1029/2007JD008973.

Baltrusaitis, J., Cwiertny, D. M. and Grassian, V. H. “Surface Reactions of Sulfur Dioxide on Goethite and Hematite Particles” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2007, 9, 5542 - 5554.

Hudson, P.; Gibson, E.; Kleiber, P.D.; Young, M. A. and Grassian, V. H. “Infrared Extinction Measurements of the Clay Component of Mineral Dust Aerosol” Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 2007, in press.

Mogili, P.K.; Yang, K.H.; Young, M. A.; Kleiber, P.D. and Grassian, V. H. “Environmental aerosol chamber studies of extinction spectra of mineral dust aerosol components : Broadband IR-UV extinction spectra” Journal of Geophysical-Atmospheres, 2007, 112, D21204, doi:10.1029/2007JD008890.

Baltrusaitis, J.; Schuttlefield, J.; Zeitler, E.; Jensen, J. and Grassian, V. H. “Surface Reactions of Carbon Dioxide at the Adsorbed Water – Oxide Interface” Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2007, 111, 14870 -14880.

Grassian V.H.; Meyer G.; Abruña, H., Ekem Achenie, L.; Allison, T.; Brunschwig, B.; Coates, G. W.; Ferry, J.; Garcia-Garibay, M.; Gardea-Torresdey, J.; Grey, C.P.; Huchison, J.; Li, C.-J.; Liotta, C.; Minteer, S.; Mueller, K.; Ragauskas, A.; Roberts, J.; Omuwunmi, S.; Schmehl, R.; Schneider, W.; Selloni, A.; Stair, P.; Stewart, J.; Tyson, J.; Voelker, B.; White, J.M.; Wood-Black, F.; Torn, D. “Chemistry for a Sustainable Future” Environmental Science and Technology, 2007, 4840-4846.

Preszler Prince, A., Kleiber, P.D., Grassian, V. H.  and Young, M. A. “Heterogeneous Interactions of Calcite Aerosol with Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide/Nitric Acid Mixtures” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2007, 9, 3432-3439.

Curtis D.B.; Aycibin, M.; Young, M. A. Grassian, V. H. and Kleiber, P.D.; “Simultaneous Measurement of Light Scattering Properties and Particle Size Distribution for Aerosols:  Application to Ammonium Sulfate and Quartz Aerosol Particles” Atmospheric Environment, 2007, 41, 4748-4758.

Preszler-Prince, A., Kleiber, P.D., Grassian, V. H. ,  and Young, M. A. “Heterogeneous Conversion of Calcite Aerosol by Nitric Acid” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2007,  9, 622-634.

Baltrusaitis, J; Schuttlefield, J.; Jensen, J. H. and Grassian, V. H. “FTIR Spectroscopy Combined with Quantum Chemical Calculations to Investigate Adsorbed Nitrate on Aluminum Oxide Surfaces in the Presence and Absence of Co-Adsorbed Water, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2007, 9, 4970 – 4980.

Gibson, E. R.; Gierlus, K. M.; Hudson, P. K.; and Grassian, V. H. “Generation of Internally Mixed Insoluble and Soluble Aerosol Particles to Investigate the Impact of Heterogeneous Processing in the Atmosphere on the CCN Activity of Mineral Dust Aerosol Aerosol Science and Technology, 2007, Volume 41, 914 – 924.

Hudson, P. K.; Schwarz, J.; Baltrusaitis, J.; Gibson, E. R. and Grassian, V. H.“Spectroscopic Studies of Atmospherically Relevant Concentrated Aqueous Nitrate Solutions” Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2007, 111, 544-548.

Stout, S. C.; Larsen, S. C. and Grassian, V. H. “Adsorption, Desorption and Thermal Oxidation of 2-CEES on Nanocrystalline Zeolites” Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2007, 100, 77–86.

Pettibone, J. M.; Baltrusaitis, J. and Grassian, V. H., “Chemical Properties of Oxide Nanoparticles: Surface Adsorption Studies from Gas and Liquid Phase Environments” invited chapter in Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Oxide Nanomaterials, Eds. J. A. Rodriguez and M. Fernandez-Garcia,  John Wiley and Sons, 2007, 335-351.

Grassian, V. H. O’Shaughnessy, P.; Pettibone, J.,  Dodd, A. And Thorne, P.  “Inhalation Exposure Studies of Nanoparticulate Titanium Dioxide with a Primary Particle Size of 2 to 5 nm” Environmental Health Perspectives, 2007,115, 397-402.

Baltrusaitis, J.; Usher, C. R. and Grassian, V. H. “Reactions of Sulfur Dioxide on Calcium Carbonate Single Crystal and Particle Surfaces at the Adsorbed Water Carbonate Interface”  Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2007, 9, 3011 - 3024.

Schuttlefied, J.; Al-Hosney, H. A.; Zachariah, A. and Grassian, V. H, “ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy to Investigate Water Uptake and Phase Transitions in Atmospherically Relevant Particles” Applied Spectroscopy, 2007, 61, 283-292.

Hudson, P. K.; Gibson, E. R.; Young, M. A.; Kleiber, P.; and Grassian, V. H. “Infrared Extinction Measurements with Measured Aerodynamic and Mobility Diameters” Aerosol Science and Technology, 2007, 41, 701-710.

Hudson, P.K.; Gibson, E. R.; Young, M. A.; Kleiber, P.D. and Grassian, V. H. "A Newly Designed and Constructed Instrument for Coupled Infrared Extinction and Size Distribution Measurements of Aerosols" submitted to Aerosol Science and Technology.

Usher, C. R.; Baltrusaitis, J.; Grassian, V. H. “Reaction of Gas-Phase Formic Acid with the Calcium Carbonate ()” Surface:  Spatially Resolved Product Formation and the Role of Ion Mobility Langmuir, 2007, 23, 7039-7045.

Gibson, E.R.; Hudson, P. K. and Grassian, V. H.  “Aerosol chemistry and climate: Laboratory Studies of the Carbonate Component of Mineral Dust and its Reaction Products, Geophys. Res. Lett. 2006, 33, L13811, doi:10.1029/2006GL026386.

Mogili, P. K.; Kleiber, P.D.; Young, M. A. and Grassian, V. H. “N2O5 Hydrolysis on the Components of Mineral Dust and Sea Salt Aerosol: Comparison Study in an Environmental Aerosol Reaction Chamber” Atmospheric Environment, 2006, 40, 7401-7408.

Gibson, E. R.; Hudson, P. K.; Grassian, V. H. "Physicochemical Properties of Nitrate Aerosols:  Implications for the Atmosphere" J. Phys. Chem. A,  2006, 110.

Knagge, K.; Johnson, M.; Grassian, V. H. and Larsen, S. C. “Adsorption and Thermal Oxidation of DMMP in Nanocrystalline NaY” Langmuir, 2006, 22, 11077–11084.

Mogili, P. K.; Kleiber, P.D.; Young, M. A. and Grassian, V. H. “Heterogeneous Uptake of Ozone on Reactive Components of Mineral Dust Aerosol: An Environmental Aerosol Reaction Chamber Study” J. Phys. Chem. A, 2006, 110, 13799-13807.

Baltrusaitis, J.; Jensen, J. and Grassian, V. H., FTIR Spectroscopy Combined with Isotope Labeling and Quantum Chemical Calculations to Investigate Adsorbed Bicarbonate Formation Following Reaction of Carbon Dioxide with Surface Hydroxyl Groups on Fe2O3 and Al2O3” J. Phys. Chem. B, 2006, 110, 12005-12016.

Johnson, E. R. and Grassian, V. H. “Environmental Catalysis of the Earth’s Atmosphere: Heterogeneous Reactions on Mineral Dust Aerosol” Environmental Catalysis, Ed. Vicki H. Grassian, CRC Publishing, Boca Raton, FL, 2005.

Li, G.; Larsen, S. C. and Grassian, V. H. “Catalytic Reduction of NO2 in Nanocrystalline NaY Zeolite” J. Molecular Catalysis A, 2005, 227, 25-35.

Al-Abadleh, H.A.; Al-Hosney, H. A. and Grassian, V. H. “Oxide and Carbonate Surfaces as Environmental Interfaces: The Importance of Water in Surface Composition and Surface Reactivity” Journal of Molecular Catalysis A, 2005, 228, 47-54.

Song, W.; Li, G.H.; Grassian, V.H. and Larsen, S. C., “Development of Improved Materials for Environmental Applications: Nanocrystalline NaY Zeolites, Environmental Science and Technology, 2005, 39, 1214-1220

Al-Hosney, H. A.; Grassian, V. H. “Water, Sulfur Dioxide and Nitric Acid Adsorption on Calcium Carbonate: A Transmission and ATR-FTIR Study.” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2005, 7, 1266 - 1276.

Laskin, A.; Wietsma, T. W.; Krueger, B. J.; Grassian, V. H. “Heterogeneous Chemistry of Individual Mineral Dust Particles with Nitric Acid. A Combined CCSEM/EDX, ESEM and ICP-MS Study.” Journal of Geophysical Research –Atmospheres, 2005, 110, D10208,doi:10.1029/2004JD005206, 1-15.

Schuttlefield, J. and Grassian, V. H. “Is a Picture Really Worth a Thousand Words? The Role of Scanning Probe Microscopy as an Educational Tool In the Chemistry Curriculum” The Chemist, 2005, 82(1), 4-1to 4-19.

Baltrusaitis, J. and Grassian, V. H. “Surface Reactions of Carbon Dioxide at the Adsorbed Water-Iron Oxide Interface” Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2005, 109, 12227-12230.

Li, G.; Larsen, S.C.; Grassian, V. H. “An FT-IR Study of NO2 Reduction in Nanocrystalline NaY Zeolite: Effect of Zeolite Crystal Size and Adsorbed Water” Catalysis Letters 2005, 103, 23-32.

Song, W.; Woodward, J. F.; Grassian, V. H. and Larsen, S.C. “Microscopic and Macroscopic Characterization of Organosilane Functionalized Nanocrystalline NaZSM-5” Langmuir, 2005, 21, 7009-7014.

Li, G.; Jones, C.A.; Grassian, V. H. and Larsen, S.C, Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO2 with Urea in Nanocrystalline NaY Zeolite Journal of Catalysis 2005, 234, 401–413.

Krueger, B. J.; Ross, J. and Grassian, V. H. “Formation of Microcrystals, Micropuddles and Other Spatial Inhomogenieties in Surface Reactions Under Ambient Conditions: An Atomic Force Microscopy Study of Water and Nitric Acid Adsorption on MgO( ) and CaCO3( )” Langmuir, 2005, 21, 8793-8801.