Phase changes during hygroscopic cycles of mixed organic/inorganic model systems of tropospheric aerosols

Marcolli, C; Krieger, UK

HERO ID

3407162

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2006

Language

English

PMID

16451021

HERO ID 3407162
In Press No
Year 2006
Title Phase changes during hygroscopic cycles of mixed organic/inorganic model systems of tropospheric aerosols
Authors Marcolli, C; Krieger, UK
Journal Journal of Physical Chemistry A
Volume 110
Issue 5
Page Numbers 1881-1893
Abstract A correct description of the aerosol's phases is required to determine its gas/particle partitioning, its reactivity and its water uptake and release. In this study, we investigate organic/electrolyte interactions of ammonium sulfate, nitrate and sodium chloride with substances containing carboxylic acids (COOH) and hydroxyl (OH) functional groups. As organic model compounds, we chose polyols with different OH/CHn (n = 0-3) ratios-namely, glycerol, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,2-hexanediol-as well as PEG 400 and a mixture of dicarboxylic acids consisting of malic, malonic, maleic, glutaric, and methylsuccinic acid. Bulk solubility and water activity measurements of these model systems together with a survey of literature data showed that NaCl is a salting-out agent for alcohols and organic acids whereas ammonium nitrate and sulfate exhibited salting-in and salting-out tendencies depending on the nature and number of functional groups as well as on the concentration of the solution. All investigated salts induce a liquid-liquid phase separation in the 1,2-hexanediol/water system. Considering the composition of the tropospheric aerosol, such phase separations might indeed occur frequently when particles in the atmosphere are exposed to varying relative humidity. To complement the bulk experiments, we investigated single particles consisting of ammonium sulfate and dicarboxylic acids as well as of ammonium sulfate and PEG 400 in an electrodynamic balance. Whereas the relative humidities of total deliquescence as well as the water uptake and release of the fully deliquesced particles are in good agreement with the bulk results and represent thermodynamic equilibrium, the water uptake before full deliquescence shows significant deviations. These deviations may be caused by morphological effects.
Doi 10.1021/jp0556759
Pmid 16451021
Wosid WOS:000235297400026
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English