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Size matters in the water uptake and hygroscopic growth of atmospherically relevant multicomponent aerosol particles
Journal article   Open access

Size matters in the water uptake and hygroscopic growth of atmospherically relevant multicomponent aerosol particles

Olga Laskina, Holly S Morris, Joshua R Grandquist, Zhen Qin, Elizabeth A Stone, Alexei V Tivanski and Vicki H Grassian
The journal of physical chemistry. A, Molecules, spectroscopy, kinetics, environment, & general theory, Vol.119(19), pp.4489-4497
05/14/2015
DOI: 10.1021/jp510268p
PMID: 25521409
url
https://doi.org/10.1021/jp510268pView
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Understanding the interactions of water with atmospheric aerosols is crucial for determining the size, physical state, reactivity, and climate impacts of this important component of the Earth's atmosphere. Here we show that water uptake and hygroscopic growth of multicomponent, atmospherically relevant particles can be size dependent when comparing 100 nm versus ca. 6 μm sized particles. It was determined that particles composed of ammonium sulfate with succinic acid and of a mixture of chlorides typical of the marine environment show size-dependent hygroscopic behavior. Microscopic analysis of the distribution of components within the aerosol particles show that the size dependence is due to differences in the mixing state, that is, whether particles are homogeneously mixed or phase separated, for different sized particles. This morphology-dependent hygroscopicity has consequences for heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry as well as aerosol interactions with electromagnetic radiation and clouds.
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Ammonium Sulfate - chemistry Adipates - chemistry Aerosols - chemistry Chlorides - chemistry Particle Size Wettability Malonates - chemistry Succinic Acid - chemistry Water - chemistry Microscopy, Atomic Force Spectrum Analysis, Raman Atmosphere - chemistry Sodium Chloride - chemistry

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