Application of the Sulfuric Acid-Halide Salt Reaction to the Analysis of Sulfuric Acid Containing Aerosols

A new X-ray fluorescence method for the determination of sulfuric acid in sulfuric acid containing aerosols is presented. The technique makes use of the reaction between sulfuric acid and potassium chloride yielding volatile hydrogen chloride and thus changing the C1/K ratio. NucleporeR membrane filters are first loaded with potassium chloride and then used for the collection of the aerosol under study. The chlorine and potassium X-ray signals are measured before and after the sampling of the acid aerosol, and the decrease in the Cl/K intensity ratio is taken as a measure for the amount of sulfuric acid collected.