R. Ravikrishna

Bio: R. Ravikrishna is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sediment & Aerosol. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 36 publications receiving 713 citations. Previous affiliations of R. Ravikrishna include Louisiana State University & Indian Institutes of Technology.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Gaseous Organic Species on Photonic Band-Gap Titania

Abstract: The use of photonic band gap (PBG) titania (inverse opal) for the photocatalytic degradation of an organic chemical in air is demonstrated in this study using 1,2-dichlorobenzene. A photonic band gap in the mid-to-high ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range (280−380 nm), normally associated with the optimal photocatalytic activity of anatase titania, is expected to increase the quantum efficiency for the catalyst. To achieve this band gap, porous structures with alternating air and titania spaces with a periodicity of about 150 nm is required. A thin film of porous photonic titania was synthesized in-situ on a quartz glass rod with a sol−gel technique using polystyrene micro-spheres as templates. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed a pore size of about 100 nm and a periodicity of ∼150 nm, necessary for the desired band gap. X-ray diffraction studies of the coating showed the presence of anatase titania, which is known to exhibit photoactivity. The photocatalytic activity of the coated titania film was...

Enhanced aerosol particle growth sustained by high continental chlorine emission in India

Abstract: Many cities in India experience severe deterioration of air quality in winter. Particulate matter is a key atmospheric pollutant that impacts millions of people. In particular, the high mass concentration of particulate matter reduces visibility, which has severely damaged the economy and endangered human lives. But the underlying chemical mechanisms and physical processes responsible for initiating haze and fog formation remain poorly understood. Here we present the measurement results of chemical composition of particulate matter in Delhi and Chennai. We find persistently high chloride in Delhi and episodically high chloride in Chennai. These measurements, combined with thermodynamic modelling, suggest that in the presence of excess ammonia in Delhi, high local emission of hydrochloric acid partitions into aerosol water. The highly water-absorbing and soluble chloride in the aqueous phase substantially enhances aerosol water uptake through co-condensation, which sustains particle growth, leading to haze and fog formation. We therefore suggest that the high local concentration of gas-phase hydrochloric acid, possibly emitted from plastic-contained waste burning and industry, causes some 50% of the reduced visibility. Our work implies that identifying and regulating gaseous hydrochloric acid emissions could be critical to improve visibility and human health in India. Half of the reduced visibility due to haze formation in cities in India is attributed to local emission of gas-phase hydrochloric acid from waste-burning and industry, according to measurements of particulate matter and thermodynamic modelling.

Air-water partition constants for volatile methyl siloxanes.

Abstract: Silicones are an important class of hydrophobic compounds in widespread use. To evaluate their fate in the environment, an accurate value of the air-water partition (Henry's law) constant is necessary, which, unfortunately, is lacking at present. A static head space and a newly developed dynamic vapor entry loop method were used to obtain the air-water partition constant for six volatile methyl siloxanes. Internally consistent data were obtained. The value of Henry's constant, as calculated from pure component vapor pressure and aqueous solubility, was 10- to 170-fold greater than the experimental values. A correction to the Henry's constant that involves the ratio of the thermodynamic activity coefficient for a methyl siloxane at infinite dilution to that at saturation solubility in the aqueous phase is proposed.

Seasonal variation of the dominant allergenic fungal aerosols – One year study from southern Indian region

Abstract: Quantitative estimations of fungal aerosols are important to understand their role in causing respiratory diseases to humans especially in the developing and highly populated countries. In this study we sampled and quantified the three most dominantly found allergenic airborne fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Alternaria alternata from ambient PM10 samples using the quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique in a southern tropical Indian region, for one full year. Highest concentrations of A. fumigatus and C. cladosporioides were observed during monsoon whereas A. alternata displayed an elevated concentration in winter. The meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and precipitation exhibited a substantial influence on the atmospheric concentrations of allergenic fungal aerosols. The morphological features of various allergenic fungal spores present in the PM10 were investigated and the spores were found to possess distinct structural features. In a maiden attempt over this region we correlate the ambient fungal concentrations with the epidemiological allergy occurrence to obtain firsthand and preliminary information about the causative fungal allergen to the inhabitants exposed to bioaerosols. Our findings may serve as an important reference to atmospheric scientists, aero-biologists, doctors, and general public.

Nano‐photocatalytic Materials: Possibilities and Challenges

Abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysis has received much attention as a potential solution to the worldwide energy shortage and for counteracting environmental degradation. This article reviews state-of-the-art research activities in the field, focusing on the scientific and technological possibilities offered by photocatalytic materials. We begin with a survey of efforts to explore suitable materials and to optimize their energy band configurations for specific applications. We then examine the design and fabrication of advanced photocatalytic materials in the framework of nanotechnology. Many of the most recent advances in photocatalysis have been realized by selective control of the morphology of nanomaterials or by utilizing the collective properties of nano-assembly systems. Finally, we discuss the current theoretical understanding of key aspects of photocatalytic materials. This review also highlights crucial issues that should be addressed in future research activities.

TiO2 photocatalysis: Design and applications

Abstract: TiO 2 photocatalysis is widely used in a variety of applications and products in the environmental and energy fields, including self-cleaning surfaces, air and water purification systems, sterilization, hydrogen evolution, and photoelectrochemical conversion. The development of new materials, however, is strongly required to provide enhanced performances with respect to the photocatalytic properties and to find new uses for TiO 2 photocatalysis. In this review, recent developments in the area of TiO 2 photocatalysis research, in terms of new materials from a structural design perspective, have been summarized. The dimensionality associated with the structure of a TiO 2 material can affect its properties and functions, including its photocatalytic performance, and also more specifically its surface area, adsorption, reflectance, adhesion, and carrier transportation properties. We provide a brief introduction to the current situation in TiO 2 photocatalysis, and describe structurally controlled TiO 2 photocatalysts which can be classified into zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional structures. Furthermore, novel applications of TiO 2 surfaces for the fabrication of wettability patterns and for printing are discussed.

Compilation of Henry's law constants (version 4.0) for water as solvent

Abstract: Many atmospheric chemicals occur in the gas phase as well as in liquid cloud droplets and aerosol particles Therefore, it is necessary to understand the distribution between the phases According to Henry's law, the equilibrium ratio between the abundances in the gas phase and in the aqueous phase is constant for a dilute solution Henry's law constants of trace gases of potential importance in environmental chemistry have been collected and converted into a uniform format The compilation contains 17 350 values of Henry's law constants for 4632 species, collected from 689 references It is also available at http://wwwhenrys-laworg

Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Anthropogenic Air Pollution: Rapid and Higher than Expected

Abstract: [1] The atmospheric chemistry of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban areas results in the formation of ‘photochemical smog’, including secondary organic aerosol (SOA). State-of-the-art SOA models parameterize the results of simulation chamber experiments that bracket the conditions found in the polluted urban atmosphere. Here we show that in the real urban atmosphere reactive anthropogenic VOCs (AVOCs) produce much larger amounts of SOA than these models predict, even shortly after sunrise. Contrary to current belief, a significant fraction of the excess SOA is formed from first-generation AVOC oxidation products. Global models deem AVOCs a very minor contributor to SOA compared to biogenic VOCs (BVOCs). If our results are extrapolated to other urban areas, AVOCs could be responsible for additional 3–25 Tg yr−1 SOA production globally, and cause up to −0.1 W m−2 additional top-of-the-atmosphere radiative cooling.