Abstract: Certain reactions are catalyzed on the polar stratospheric clouds to produce HOCl and Cl2 which can be turned into Cl by the UV light from the sun, and Cl is believed to be the arch-criminal in the atmospheric ozone depletion. The traditional ion-catalysis mechanism was based on the suggestion by Molina, a Nobel Prize laureate. However, more and more facts have indicated that this mechanism needs to be revised. Zhao Xin-Sheng's group first proposed a mechanism of structure catalysis, which relies on the surface structure of the ice. The mechanism has been confirmed by new experimental and theoretical studies. This paper briefly reviews some key development in recent years.

Key words: Atmospheric ozone depletion, Ice surface, Reaction mechanism