Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1744
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1744
07 May 2025
 | 07 May 2025

The Effect of Amino Acids on the Fenton and photo-Fenton Reactions in Cloud Water: Unraveling the Dual Role of Glutamic Acid

Peng Cheng, Gilles Mailhot, Mohamed Sarakha, Guillaume Voyard, Daniele Scheres Firak, Thomas Schaefer, Hartmut Herrmann, and Marcello Brigante

Abstract. In this work, Glutamic acid (Glu) was selected as a model amino acid (AAs) to investigate its complexation with Fe(III) and Fe(II), focusing on its impact on the Fenton reaction and the photolysis of Fe(III) in cloud aqueous phase. Glu was found to enhance the rate constant for the reaction of Fe(II)-Glu with H2O2 to 1.54±0.13×104 M-1 s-1, which is significantly higher than that of classic Fenton reactions (~50–70 M-1 s-1). In contrast, the photolysis quantum yield of Fe(III)-Glu complex was determined to be 0.037 under solar simulated irradiation, largely lower than Fe(III)-hydroxy complexes (0.216). In the overall process (Fenton or Fe(III) photolysis), it was found that OH formation decreased in the presence of Glu. Additionally, the fate of Glu in the presence of Fe(III) was investigated as well as the oxidation process (driven by OH and ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) reaction) led to the formation of short-chain carboxylic acids and ammonium under simulated solar light. Interestingly, these two processes generated different primary short-chain carboxylic acids, indicating distinct mechanisms. This study provides valuable insights into the role and fate of amino acids in atmospheric chemistry, helping to further understand their impact on atmospheric processes.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 Oct 2025
The effect of amino acids on the Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions in cloud water: unraveling the dual role of glutamic acid
Peng Cheng, Gilles Mailhot, Mohamed Sarakha, Guillaume Voyard, Daniele Scheres Firak, Thomas Schaefer, Hartmut Herrmann, and Marcello Brigante
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12087–12100, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12087-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12087-2025, 2025
Short summary
Peng Cheng, Gilles Mailhot, Mohamed Sarakha, Guillaume Voyard, Daniele Scheres Firak, Thomas Schaefer, Hartmut Herrmann, and Marcello Brigante

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1744', Anonymous Referee #1, 27 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1744', Anonymous Referee #2, 10 Jun 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1744', Anonymous Referee #1, 27 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1744', Anonymous Referee #2, 10 Jun 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Marcello Brigante on behalf of the Authors (23 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (26 Jun 2025) by Thomas Berkemeier
AR by Marcello Brigante on behalf of the Authors (01 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (09 Jul 2025) by Thomas Berkemeier
AR by Marcello Brigante on behalf of the Authors (17 Jul 2025)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 Oct 2025
The effect of amino acids on the Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions in cloud water: unraveling the dual role of glutamic acid
Peng Cheng, Gilles Mailhot, Mohamed Sarakha, Guillaume Voyard, Daniele Scheres Firak, Thomas Schaefer, Hartmut Herrmann, and Marcello Brigante
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 12087–12100, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12087-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-12087-2025, 2025
Short summary
Peng Cheng, Gilles Mailhot, Mohamed Sarakha, Guillaume Voyard, Daniele Scheres Firak, Thomas Schaefer, Hartmut Herrmann, and Marcello Brigante
Peng Cheng, Gilles Mailhot, Mohamed Sarakha, Guillaume Voyard, Daniele Scheres Firak, Thomas Schaefer, Hartmut Herrmann, and Marcello Brigante

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Short summary
This study investigates the complexation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) with glutamic acid under cloud water conditions and the effect on Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions, hydroxyl radical formation, and their impact on amino acid oxidation.
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