Cluster Models for Acid Displacement Reactions on Sea salt aerosols

Sea salt aerosols have a major influence on atmospheric processes and climate. During their aging process, chloride depletion has been observed, resulting largely from an exchange of various acids for HCl. We demonstrate that pure gas phase cluster ions [NaCl]ₓNa⁺ are able to facilitate this acid displacement, even in the absence of water or other promoting substances. Only the magic cluster size [NaCl]₁₃Na⁺, which resembles a defect-free cubic section of the NaCl fcc lattice, is non-reactive.