1
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Freedman MA, Huang Q, Pitta KR. Phase Transitions in Organic and Organic/Inorganic Aerosol Particles. Annu Rev Phys Chem 2024; 75:257-281. [PMID: 38382569 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physchem-083122-115909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The phase state of aerosol particles can impact numerous atmospheric processes, including new particle growth, heterogeneous chemistry, cloud condensation nucleus formation, and ice nucleation. In this article, the phase transitions of inorganic, organic, and organic/inorganic aerosol particles are discussed, with particular focus on liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). The physical chemistry that determines whether LLPS occurs, at what relative humidity it occurs, and the resultant particle morphology is explained using both theoretical and experimental methods. The known impacts of LLPS on aerosol processes in the atmosphere are discussed. Finally, potential evidence for LLPS from field and chamber studies is presented. By understanding the physical chemistry of the phase transitions of aerosol particles, we will acquire a better understanding of aerosol processes, which in turn impact human health and climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Arak Freedman
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; ,
- Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qishen Huang
- Institute of Chemical Physics, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China;
| | - Kiran R Pitta
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; ,
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2
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Huang Q, Pitta KR, Constantini K, Ott EJE, Zuend A, Freedman MA. Experimental phase diagram and its temporal evolution for submicron 2-methylglutaric acid and ammonium sulfate aerosol particles. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:2887-2894. [PMID: 38054479 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04411d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in aerosol particles is important for the climate system due to its potential to impact heterogeneous chemistry, cloud condensation nuclei, and new particle growth. Our group and others have shown a lower separation relative humidity for submicron particles, but whether the suppression is due to thermodynamics or kinetics is unclear. Herein, we characterize the experimental LLPS phase diagram of submicron 2-methylglutaric acid and ammonium sulfate aerosol particles and compare it to that of supermicron-sized particles. Surprisingly, as the equilibration time of submicron-sized aerosol particles was increased from 20 min to 60 min, the experimental phase diagram converges with the results for supermicron-sized particles. Our findings indicate that nucleation kinetics are responsible for the observed lower separation relative humidities in submicron aerosol particles. Therefore, experiments and models that investigate atmospheric processes of organic aerosol particles may need to consider the temporal evolution of aerosol LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qishen Huang
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
- Institute of Chemical Physics, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Kiran R Pitta
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
| | - Kayla Constantini
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
| | - Emily-Jean E Ott
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
| | - Andreas Zuend
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0B9, Canada
| | - Miriam Arak Freedman
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
- Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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3
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Lei Z, Chen B, Brooks SD. Effect of Acidity on Ice Nucleation by Inorganic-Organic Mixed Droplets. ACS EARTH & SPACE CHEMISTRY 2023; 7:2562-2573. [PMID: 38148991 PMCID: PMC10749479 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Aerosol acidity significantly influences heterogeneous chemical reactions and human health. Additionally, acidity may play a role in cloud formation by modifying the ice nucleation properties of inorganic and organic aerosols. In this work, we combined our well-established ice nucleation technique with Raman microspectroscopy to study ice nucleation in representative inorganic and organic aerosols across a range of pH conditions (pH -0.1 to 5.5). Homogeneous nucleation was observed in systems containing ammonium sulfate, sulfuric acid, and sucrose. In contrast, droplets containing ammonium sulfate mixed with diethyl sebacate, poly(ethylene glycol) 400, and 1,2,6-hexanetriol were found to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation, exhibiting core-shell morphologies with observed initiation of heterogeneous freezing in the cores. Our experimental findings demonstrate that an increased acidity reduces the ice nucleation ability of droplets. Changes in the ratio of bisulfate to sulfate coincided with shifts in ice nucleation temperatures, suggesting that the presence of bisulfate may decrease the ice nucleation efficiency. We also report on how the morphology and viscosity impact ice nucleation properties. This study aims to enhance our fundamental understanding of acidity's effect on ice nucleation ability, providing context for the role of acidity in atmospheric ice cloud formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Lei
- Department of Atmospheric
Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Atmospheric
Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Sarah D. Brooks
- Department of Atmospheric
Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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4
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Wallace BJ, Mongeau ML, Zuend A, Preston TC. Impact of pH on Gas-Particle Partitioning of Semi-Volatile Organics in Multicomponent Aerosol. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16974-16988. [PMID: 37885068 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) between the condensed and gas phases can have significant implications for the properties of aerosol particles. In addition to affecting size and composition, this partitioning can alter radiative properties and impact cloud activation processes. We present measurements and model predictions on how activity and pH influence the evaporation of SVOCs from particles to the gas phase, specifically investigating aqueous inorganic particles containing dicarboxylic acids (DCAs). The aerosols are studied at the single-particle level by using optical trapping and cavity-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Optical resonances in the spectra enable precise size tracking, while vibrational bands allow real-time monitoring of pH. Results are compared to a Maxwell-type model that accounts for volatile and nonvolatile solutes in aqueous droplets that are held at a constant relative humidity. The aerosol inorganic-organic mixture functional group activity coefficients thermodynamic model and Debye-Hückel theory are both used to calculate the activities of the species present in the droplet. For DCAs, we find that the evaporation rate is highly sensitive to the particle pH. For acidity changes of approximately 1.5 pH units, we observe a shift from a volatile system to one that is completely nonvolatile. We also observe that the pH itself is not constant during evaporation; it increases as DCAs evaporate, slowing the rate of evaporation until it eventually ceases. Whether a DCA evaporates or remains a stable component of the droplet is determined by the difference between the lowest pKa of the DCA and the pH of the droplet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Michel Laforest Mongeau
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Andreas Zuend
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0B9
| | - Thomas C Preston
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0B9
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5
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Yao M, Zhao Y, Chang C, Wang S, Li Z, Li C, Chan AWH, Xiao H. Multiphase Reactions between Organic Peroxides and Sulfur Dioxide in Internally Mixed Inorganic and Organic Particles: Key Roles of Particle Phase Separation and Acidity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15558-15570. [PMID: 37797208 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Organic peroxides (POs) are ubiquitous in the atmosphere and particularly reactive toward dissolved sulfur dioxide (SO2), yet the reaction kinetics between POs and SO2, especially in complex inorganic-organic mixed particles, remain poorly constrained. Here, we report the first investigation of the multiphase reactions between SO2 and POs in monoterpene-derived secondary organic aerosol internally mixed with different inorganic salts (ammonium sulfate, ammonium bisulfate, or sodium nitrate). We find that when the particles are phase-separated, the PO-S(IV) reactivity is consistent with that measured in pure SOA and depends markedly on the water content in the organic shell. However, when the organic and inorganic phases are miscible, the PO-S(IV) reactivity varies substantially among different aerosol systems, mainly driven by their distinct acidities (not by ionic strength). The second-order PO-S(IV) rate constant decreases monotonically from 5 × 105 to 75 M-1 s-1 in the pH range of 0.1-5.6. Both proton catalysis and general acid catalysis contribute to S(IV) oxidation, with their corresponding third-order rate constants determined to be (6.4 ± 0.7) × 106 and (6.9 ± 4.6) × 104 M-2 s-1 at pH 2-6, respectively. The measured kinetics imply that the PO-S(IV) reaction in aerosol is an important sulfate formation pathway, with the reaction kinetics dominated by general acid catalysis at pH > 3 under typical continental atmospheric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Chongxuan Chang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Shunyao Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ziyue Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Chenxi Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Arthur W H Chan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Huayun Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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6
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Tong YK, Ye A. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Single Suspended Aerosol Microdroplets. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12200-12208. [PMID: 37556845 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is ubiquitous in ambient aerosols. This specific morphology exerts substantial impacts on the physicochemical properties and atmospheric processes of aerosols, particularly on the gas-particle mass transfer, the interfacial heterogeneous reaction, and the surface albedo. Although there are many studies on the LLPS of aerosols, a clear picture of LLPS in individual aerosols is scarce due to the experimental difficulties of trapping a single particle and mimicking the suspended state of real aerosols. Here, we investigate the phase separation in individual contactless microdroplets by a self-constructed laser tweezer/Raman spectroscopy system. The dynamic transformation of the morphology of optically trapped droplets over the course of humidity cycles is detected by the time-resolved cavity-enhanced Raman spectra. The impacts of pH and inorganic components on LLPS in aerosols are discussed. The results show that the increasing acidity can enhance the miscibility between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases and decrease the separation relative humidity of aerosols. Moreover, the inorganic components also have various impacts on the aerosol phase state, whose influence depends on their different salting-out capabilities. It brings possible implications on the morphology of actual atmospheric particles, particularly for those dominated by internal mixtures of inorganic and organic components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Kai Tong
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Anpei Ye
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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7
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Mahla S, Modak P, Antony B. Study of Electron Collisions with Isoprene, 1,2-Butadiene, and Their Isomers. J Phys Chem A 2023. [PMID: 37310850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c01756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Isoprene, 1,2-butadiene, and their isomers play an important role in aerosols in the atmosphere, interstellar media, and extraterrestrial life. Since electrons are everywhere, studying how electrons interact with these molecules is an important part of studying such environments. To date, however, little investigation has been conducted in this area. Bearing this in mind, we conducted a thorough investigation to report the various electron scattering cross sections of isoprene, 1,2-butadiene, and their isomers. The methods used for this purpose are reliable within the limits of adopted model potentials. The optical potential method was used to get the total elastic and inelastic cross sections, while the complex scattering potential ionization contribution method was used to get the total ionization cross section from the inelastic contribution. The results from these approximations are pretty close to the results from earlier experiments and theories. Furthermore, most of these isomers are being explored for the first time. Besides, their isomeric effect is also discussed. A correlation between the cross sections of molecules is demonstrated, which can be used to predict cross sections of those molecules where previous data are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sapna Mahla
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, JH 826004, India
| | - Paresh Modak
- Department of Physics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Bobby Antony
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, JH 826004, India
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8
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Al-Abadleh HA, Kubicki JD, Meskhidze N. A perspective on iron (Fe) in the atmosphere: air quality, climate, and the ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:151-164. [PMID: 36004543 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00176d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As scientists engage in research motivated by climate change and the impacts of pollution on air, water, and human health, we increasingly recognize the need for the scientific community to improve communication and knowledge exchange across disciplines to address pressing and outstanding research questions holistically. Our professional paths have crossed because our research activities focus on the chemical reactivity of Fe-containing minerals in air and water, and at the air-sea interface. (Photo)chemical reactions driven by Fe can take place at the surface of the particles/droplets or within the condensed phase. The extent and rates of these reactions are influenced by water content and biogeochemical activity ubiquitous in these systems. One of these reactions is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause damage to respiratory organs. Another is that the reactivity of Fe and organics in aerosol particles alter surficial physicochemical properties that impact aerosol-radiation and aerosol-cloud interactions. Also, upon deposition, aerosol particles influence ocean biogeochemical processes because micronutrients such as Fe or toxic elements such as copper become bioavailable. We provide a perspective on these topics and future research directions on the reactivity of Fe in atmospheric aerosol systems, from sources to short- and long-term impacts at the sinks with emphasis on needs to enhance the predictive power of atmospheric and ocean models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind A Al-Abadleh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo N2L 3C5, Ontario, Canada.
| | - James D Kubicki
- Department of Earth, Environmental & Resource Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso 79968, Texas, USA.
| | - Nicholas Meskhidze
- Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695, North Carolina, USA.
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9
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Li M, Su H, Zheng G, Kuhn U, Kim N, Li G, Ma N, Pöschl U, Cheng Y. Aerosol pH and Ion Activities of HSO 4- and SO 42- in Supersaturated Single Droplets. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12863-12872. [PMID: 36047919 PMCID: PMC9494740 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Accurate determination of acidity (pH) and ion activities in aqueous droplets is a major experimental and theoretical challenge for understanding and simulating atmospheric multiphase chemistry. Here, we develop a ratiometric Raman spectroscopy method to measure the equilibrium concentration of sulfate (SO42-) and bisulfate (HSO4-) in single microdroplets levitated by aerosol optical tweezers. This approach enables determination of ion activities and pH in aqueous sodium bisulfate droplets under highly supersaturated conditions. The experimental results were compared against aerosol thermodynamic model calculations in terms of simulating aerosol ion concentrations, ion activity coefficients, and pH. We found that the Extended Aerosol Inorganics Model (E-AIM) can well reproduce the experimental results. The alternative model ISORROPIA, however, exhibits substantial deviations in SO42- and HSO4- concentrations and up to a full unit of aerosol pH under acidic conditions, mainly due to discrepancies in simulating ion activity coefficients of SO42--HSO4- equilibrium. Globally, this may cause an average deviation of ISORROPIA from E-AIM by 25 and 65% in predicting SO42- and HSO4- concentrations, respectively. Our results show that it is important to determine aerosol pH and ion activities in the investigation of sulfate formation and related aqueous phase chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- Minerva
Research Group, Max Planck Institute for
Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hang Su
- Multiphase
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Guangjie Zheng
- Minerva
Research Group, Max Planck Institute for
Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Uwe Kuhn
- Multiphase
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Najin Kim
- Multiphase
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Guo Li
- Minerva
Research Group, Max Planck Institute for
Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nan Ma
- Minerva
Research Group, Max Planck Institute for
Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute
for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Ulrich Pöschl
- Multiphase
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Yafang Cheng
- Minerva
Research Group, Max Planck Institute for
Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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10
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Tackman EC, Grady RS, Freedman MA. Direct measurement of the pH of aerosol particles using carbon quantum dots. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:2929-2936. [PMID: 35856566 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01005d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The pH of aerosol particles remains challenging to measure because of their small size, complex composition, and high acidity. Acidity in aqueous aerosol particles, which are found abundantly in the atmosphere, impacts many chemical processes from reaction rates to cloud formation. Only one technique - pH paper - currently exists for directly determining the pH of aerosol particles, and this is restricted to measuring average acidity for entire particle populations. Other methods for evaluating aerosol pH include filter samples, particle-into-liquid sampling, Raman spectroscopy, organic dyes, and thermodynamic models, but these either operate in a higher pH range or are unable to assess certain chemical species or complexity. Here, we present a new method for determining acidity of individual particles and particle phases using carbon quantum dots as a novel in situ fluorophore. Carbon quantum dots are easily synthesized, shelf stable, and sensitive to pH in the highly acidic regime from pH 0 to pH 3 relevant to ambient aerosol particles. To establish the method, a calibration curve was formed from the ratiometric fluorescence intensity of aerosolized standard solutions with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99. Additionally, the pH of aerosol particles containing a complex organic mixture (COM) representative of environmental aerosols was also determined, proving the efficacy of using carbon quantum dots as pH-sensitive fluorophores for complex systems. The ability to directly measure aerosol particle and phase acidity in the correct pH range can help parametrize atmospheric models and improve projections for other aerosol properties and their influence on health and climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Tackman
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Rachel S Grady
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Miriam Arak Freedman
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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11
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Yu Z, Jang M, Madhu A. Prediction of Phase State of Secondary Organic Aerosol Internally Mixed with Aqueous Inorganic Salts. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:10198-10206. [PMID: 34797662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c06773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the presence of inorganic salts, secondary organic aerosol (SOA) undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), liquid-solid phase separation, or a homogeneous phase in ambient air. In this study, a regression model was derived to predict aerosol phase separation relative humidity (SRH) for various organic and inorganic mixes. The model implemented organic physicochemical parameters (i.e., oxygen to carbon ratio, molecular weight, and hydrogen-bonding ability) and the parameters related to inorganic compositions (i.e., ammonium, sulfate, nitrate, and water). The aerosol phase data were observed using an optical microscope and also collected from the literature. The crystallization of aerosols at the effloresce RH (ERH) was semiempirically predicted with a neural network model. Overall, the greater SRH appeared for the organic compounds with the lower oxygen to carbon ratios or the greater molecular weight and the higher aerosol acidity or the larger fraction of inorganic nitrate led to the lower SRH. The resulting model has been demonstrated for three different chamber-generated SOA (originated from β-pinene, toluene, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene), which were internally mixed with the inorganic aqueous system of ammonium-sulfate-water. For all three SOA systems, both observations and model predictions showed LLPS at RH <80%. In the urban atmosphere, LLPS is likely a frequent occurrence for the typical anthropogenic SOA, which originates from aromatic and alkane hydrocarbon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zechen Yu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Myoseon Jang
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Azad Madhu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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12
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Du CY, Wang W, Wang N, Pang SF, Zhang YH. Impact of ambient relative humidity and acidity on chemical composition evolution for malonic acid/calcium nitrate mixed particles. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 276:130140. [PMID: 33690047 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The chemical compositions in atmospheric aerosols, which often evolve with environmental factors, have significant impact on climate and human health, while our fundamental understanding of chemical process is limited owing to their sensitive to atmospheric conditions. pH and RH are critical chemical factors of aerosols, impacting reaction pathways and kinetics that ultimately govern final components in particles. Herein, we monitored the chemical composition in internally mixed malonic acid/calcium nitrate with the mole ratio of 1:1 as a function of pH and relative humidity (RH). At 30% RH, lower than efflorescence relative humidity (ERH) of pure malonic acid aerosols, malonic acid still exhibits solution feature reflected by IR spectra, which was observed to transform to malonate, along with water loss and nitrate depletion. At another RH of 54% and 80%, the similar chemical process happened with less reaction rate. The response of chemical reaction between malonic acid and calcium nitrate to pH was studied by manipulating the starting pH of the bulk solution through dropping aqueous sodium hydroxide. Due to lower H+ concentration at higher pH, the formation and liberation of HNO3 slow down, as well as water loss. After a down-up RH cycle, the water loss was obvious and grew with the decrease in pH. These measurements are improving our understanding of chemical composition evolution dependent upon pH and RH from a fundamental physical chemistry perspective and are critical for connecting chemistry and climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yun Du
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Feng Pang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yun-Hong Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
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13
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Zhang B, Shen H, Liu P, Guo H, Hu Y, Chen Y, Xie S, Xi Z, Skipper TN, Russell AG. Significant contrasts in aerosol acidity between China and the United States. ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS 2021; 21:8341-8356. [PMID: 38106813 PMCID: PMC10723067 DOI: 10.5194/acp-21-8341-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Aerosol acidity governs several key processes in aerosol physics and chemistry, thus affecting aerosol mass and composition and ultimately climate and human health. Previous studies have reported aerosol pH values separately in China and the United States (USA), implying different aerosol acidity between these two countries. However, there is debate about whether mass concentration or chemical composition is the more important driver of differences in aerosol acidity. A full picture of the pH difference and the underlying mechanisms responsible is hindered by the scarcity of simultaneous measurements of particle composition and gaseous species, especially in China. Here we conduct a comprehensive assessment of aerosol acidity in China and the USA using extended ground-level measurements and regional chemical transport model simulations. We show that aerosols in China are significantly less acidic than in the USA, with pH values 1-2 units higher. Based on a proposed multivariable Taylor series method and a series of sensitivity tests, we identify major factors leading to the pH difference. Compared to the USA, China has much higher aerosol mass concentrations (gas + particle, by a factor of 8.4 on average) and a higher fraction of total ammonia (gas + particle) in the aerosol composition. Our assessment shows that the differences in mass concentrations and chemical composition play equally important roles in driving the aerosol pH difference between China and the USA - increasing the aerosol mass concentrations (by a factor of 8.4) but keeping the relative component contributions the same in the USA as the level in China increases the aerosol pH by ~1.0 units and further shifting the chemical composition from US conditions to China's that are richer in ammonia increases the aerosol pH by ~0.9 units. Therefore, China being both more polluted than the USA and richer in ammonia explains the aerosol pH difference. The difference in aerosol acidity highlighted in the present study implies potential differences in formation mechanisms, physicochemical properties, and toxicity of aerosol particles in these two countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Zhang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Huizhong Shen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Hongyu Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | - Yongtao Hu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Yilin Chen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Shaodong Xie
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ziyan Xi
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - T. Nash Skipper
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Armistead G. Russell
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
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14
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Kucinski TM, Ott EJE, Freedman MA. Dynamics of Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation in Submicrometer Aerosol. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:4446-4453. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c01985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M. Kucinski
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Emily-Jean E. Ott
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Miriam Arak Freedman
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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15
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Sullivan RC, Boyer-Chelmo H, Gorkowski K, Beydoun H. Aerosol Optical Tweezers Elucidate the Chemistry, Acidity, Phase Separations, and Morphology of Atmospheric Microdroplets. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:2498-2509. [PMID: 33035055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusAerosol particles represent unique chemical environments because of their high surface area-to-volume ratio that promotes the effects of interfacial chemistry in confined environments. Properties such as viscosity, diffusivity, water content, pH, and morphology-following liquid-liquid phase separation-can strongly alter how a particle interacts with condensable vapors and reactive trace gases, thus modifying its continual evolution and environmental effects. Our understanding of this chemical evolution of atmospheric particulate matter and its environmental impacts is largely limited by our ability to directly observe how these critical particle properties respond to the addition or reactive uptake of new chemical components. Aerosol optical tweezers (AOT) stably trap particles in focused laser beams, providing positional control and the retrieval of many of these critical properties required to understand and predict the chemistry of aerosolized microdroplets. The analytical power of the AOT stems from the retrieval of the cavity-enhanced Raman spectrum induced by the trapping laser. Analysis of the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) that resonate as a standing wave around the droplet's interface, provide high accuracy measurements of the droplet's size, refractive index (and thus a measurement of composition), and can distinguish between core-shell, partially engulfed, and homogeneous morphologies. We have advanced the ability to determine the properties of the core and shell phases in biphasic droplets, including obtaining high-accuracy pH measurements. These capabilities were applied to perform AOT physical chemistry experiments on authentic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) produced directly in the AOT chamber by ozonolysis of terpene vapors. The propensity of the SOA to phase separate as a shell from a wide range of nonpolar to polar core phases was observed, along with the discovery of a stable emulsified state of SOA particles in an aqueous salt droplet. Micron-thick SOA shells did not impede the gain or loss of water or squalane from the core to the surrounding air, indicating no significant diffusional limitations to condensational growth or partitioning even under dry conditions. These experiments formed the foundation of a new framework that predicts how the phase-separated morphology of complex aerosols containing organic carbon evolves during continual atmospheric oxidation processes. Increases in oxidation state will quickly drive conversion from a partially engulfed to core-shell morphology that has dramatically different chemical reactivity since the core phase is completely concealed by the shell. The recent advances in the experimental capabilities of the AOT technique such as presented here enable novel experimental methodologies that provide insights into the chemistry and multidimensional properties of aerosol microdroplets, and how these coevolve and respond to continual chemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Sullivan
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Hallie Boyer-Chelmo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
| | - Kyle Gorkowski
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Hassan Beydoun
- Atmospheric, Earth, & Energy Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
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16
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Freedman MA. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Supermicrometer and Submicrometer Aerosol Particles. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:1102-1110. [PMID: 32432453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
ConspectusThe interactions of aerosol particles with light and clouds are among the most uncertain aspects of anthropogenic climate forcings. The effects of aerosol particles on climate depend on their optical properties, heterogeneous chemistry, water uptake behavior, and ice nucleation activity. These properties in turn depend on aerosol physics and chemistry including composition, size, shape, internal structure (morphology), and phase state. The greatest numbers of particles are found at small, submicrometer sizes, and the properties of aerosol particles can differ on the nanoscale compared with measurements of bulk materials. As a result, our focus has been on characterizing the phase transitions of aerosol particles in both supermicrometer and submicrometer particles. The phase transition of particular interest for us has been liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which occurs when components of a solution phase separate due to a difference in solubilities. For example, organic compounds can have limited solubility in salt solutions especially as the water content decreases, increasing the concentration of the salt solution, and causing phase separation between organic-rich and inorganic-rich phases. To characterize the systems of interest, we primarily use optical microscopy for supermicrometer particles and cryogenic-transmission microscopy for submicrometer particles.This Account details our main results to date for the phase transitions of supermicrometer particles and the morphology of submicrometer aerosol. We have found that the relative humidity (RH) at which LLPS occurs (separation RH; SRH) is highly sensitive to the composition of the particles. For supermicrometer particles, SRH decreases as the pH is lowered to atmospherically relevant values. SRH also decreases when non-phase-separating organic compounds are added to the particles. For submicrometer particles, a size dependence of morphology is observed in systems that undergo LLPS in supermicrometer particles. In the limit of slow drying rates, particles <30 nm are homogeneous and larger particles are phase-separated. This size dependence of aerosol morphology arises because small particles cannot overcome the activation barrier needed to form a new phase when phase separation occurs by a nucleation and growth mechanism. The inhibition of LLPS in small particles is observed for mixtures of ammonium sulfate with single organic compounds as well as complex organics like α-pinene secondary organic matter. The morphology of particles affects activation diameters for the formation of cloud condensation nuclei. These results more generally have implications for aerosol properties that affect the climate system. In addition, LLPS is also widely studied in materials and biological chemistry, and our results could potentially translate to implications for these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Arak Freedman
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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17
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Pye HOT, Nenes A, Alexander B, Ault AP, Barth MC, Clegg SL, Collett JL, Fahey KM, Hennigan CJ, Herrmann H, Kanakidou M, Kelly JT, Ku IT, McNeill VF, Riemer N, Schaefer T, Shi G, Tilgner A, Walker JT, Wang T, Weber R, Xing J, Zaveri RA, Zuend A. The Acidity of Atmospheric Particles and Clouds. ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS 2020; 20:4809-4888. [PMID: 33424953 PMCID: PMC7791434 DOI: 10.5194/acp-20-4809-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Acidity, defined as pH, is a central component of aqueous chemistry. In the atmosphere, the acidity of condensed phases (aerosol particles, cloud water, and fog droplets) governs the phase partitioning of semi-volatile gases such as HNO3, NH3, HCl, and organic acids and bases as well as chemical reaction rates. It has implications for the atmospheric lifetime of pollutants, deposition, and human health. Despite its fundamental role in atmospheric processes, only recently has this field seen a growth in the number of studies on particle acidity. Even with this growth, many fine particle pH estimates must be based on thermodynamic model calculations since no operational techniques exist for direct measurements. Current information indicates acidic fine particles are ubiquitous, but observationally-constrained pH estimates are limited in spatial and temporal coverage. Clouds and fogs are also generally acidic, but to a lesser degree than particles, and have a range of pH that is quite sensitive to anthropogenic emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, as well as ambient ammonia. Historical measurements indicate that cloud and fog droplet pH has changed in recent decades in response to controls on anthropogenic emissions, while the limited trend data for aerosol particles indicates acidity may be relatively constant due to the semi-volatile nature of the key acids and bases and buffering in particles. This paper reviews and synthesizes the current state of knowledge on the acidity of atmospheric condensed phases, specifically particles and cloud droplets. It includes recommendations for estimating acidity and pH, standard nomenclature, a synthesis of current pH estimates based on observations, and new model calculations on the local and global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Havala O. T. Pye
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Athanasios Nenes
- School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
- Institute for Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Patras, GR-26504, Greece
| | - Becky Alexander
- Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Andrew P. Ault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1055, USA
| | - Mary C. Barth
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, 80307, USA
| | - Simon L. Clegg
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Jeffrey L. Collett
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Fahey
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Christopher J. Hennigan
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA
| | - Hartmut Herrmann
- Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), Atmospheric Chemistry Department (ACD), Leipzig, 04318, Germany
| | - Maria Kanakidou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion Crete, 71003, Greece
| | - James T. Kelly
- Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - I-Ting Ku
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - V. Faye McNeill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Nicole Riemer
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, 61801, USA
| | - Thomas Schaefer
- Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), Atmospheric Chemistry Department (ACD), Leipzig, 04318, Germany
| | - Guoliang Shi
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Andreas Tilgner
- Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), Atmospheric Chemistry Department (ACD), Leipzig, 04318, Germany
| | - John T. Walker
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rodney Weber
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Jia Xing
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Rahul A. Zaveri
- Atmospheric Sciences & Global Change Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Andreas Zuend
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0B9, Canada
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18
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Chang P, Chen Z, Zhang Y, Liu Y. Direct measurement of aerosol pH in individual malonic acid and citric acid droplets under different relative humidity conditions via Raman spectroscopy. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 241:124960. [PMID: 31590017 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Acidity of aerosol particles plays important roles in atmospheric chemistry, in turn, impacting climate system and public health. Current knowledge of acidity in atmosphere aerosols remains fairly scarce largely because of difficulty in direct measurement. On the other hand, indirect methods for estimating aerosol pH are often inconsistent with pH values predicted by thermodynamic models. Recently, a direct Raman spectroscopy method has been reported to determine pH values of acid-conjugate base equilibria systems based on Raman intensity of distinct characteristic peaks of conjugate acid-base pair. Nevertheless, for pure carboxylic acid aerosol particles, such as malonic acid (MA), characteristic peak of its conjugate base cannot be clearly observed in Raman spectra owing to small Ka value (weak acid dissociation constant), which leads to little dissociation of weak acid and low concentration of its conjugated base. As a result, pH of carboxylic acid particles cannot be directly determined by calibrating concentrations of acid and its conjugated base using the above-mentioned method. To address such an issue, we demonstrate a new approach for determining pH values of malonic acid (MA) and citric acid (CA) droplets under different relative humidity (RH) based on calibration curves. We measure Raman intensity ratios of acid solutions at different concentrations and their pH values to establish a calibration curve, and then using the intensity ratio of MA and CA droplets under different RH to determine aerosol particle pH based on calibration curves. Results have shown that aerosol pH of MA droplet decreases with a decreasing RH and pH values ranges from 1.03 to -0.12, when RH value is reduced from 90% to 26%, in good agreement with model prediction values. In addition, we also, for the first time, report pH values of CA droplets under different RH conditions and its pH values range from 1.13 to -0.74 when RH is reduced from 91% to 28%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pianpian Chang
- The Institute of Chemical Physics, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Zhe Chen
- The Institute of Chemical Physics, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Yunhong Zhang
- The Institute of Chemical Physics, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, PR China.
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, 80217, USA.
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19
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Boyer HC, Gorkowski K, Sullivan RC. In Situ pH Measurements of Individual Levitated Microdroplets Using Aerosol Optical Tweezers. Anal Chem 2020; 92:1089-1096. [PMID: 31760745 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The pH of microscale reaction environments controls numerous physicochemical processes, requiring a real-time pH microprobe. We present highly accurate real-time pH measurements of microdroplets using aerosol optical tweezers (AOT) and analysis of the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) contained in the cavity-enhanced Raman spectra. Uncertainties ranging from ±0.03 to 0.06 in pH for picoliter droplets are obtained through averaging Raman frames acquired at 0.5 Hz over 3.3 min. The high accuracy in pH determination is achieved by combining two independent measurements uniquely provided by the AOT approach: the anion concentration ratio from the spontaneous Raman spectra, and the total solute concentration from the refractive index retrieved from WGM analysis of the stimulated cavity-enhanced Raman spectra. pH can be determined over a range of -0.36 to 0.76 using the aqueous sodium bisulfate system. This technique enables direct measurements of pH-dependent chemical and physical changes experienced by individual microparticles and exploration of the role of pH in the chemical behavior of confined microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hallie C Boyer
- Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies , Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
| | - Kyle Gorkowski
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences , McGill University , Montreal , Quebec H3A 0B9 , Canada
| | - Ryan C Sullivan
- Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies , Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15213 , United States
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20
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Freedman MA, Ott EJE, Marak KE. Role of pH in Aerosol Processes and Measurement Challenges. J Phys Chem A 2019; 123:1275-1284. [PMID: 30586311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.8b10676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
pH is one of the most basic chemical properties of aqueous solution, but its measurement in nanoscale aerosol particles presents many challenges. The pH of aerosol particles is of growing interest in the atmospheric chemistry community because of its demonstrated effects on heterogeneous chemistry and human health, as well as potential effects on climate. The authors have shown that phase transitions of aerosol particles are sensitive to pH, focusing on systems that undergo liquid-liquid phase separation. Currently, aerosol pH is calculated indirectly from knowledge of species present in the gas and aerosol phases through the use of thermodynamic models. From these models, ambient aerosol is expected to be highly acidic (pH ∼ 0-3). Direct measurements have focused on model systems due to the difficulty of this measurement. This area is one in which physical chemists should be encouraged to contribute because of the potential consequences for aerosol processes in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Arak Freedman
- Department of Chemistry , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Emily-Jean E Ott
- Department of Chemistry , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Katherine E Marak
- Department of Chemistry , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
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21
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Lawal AS, Guan X, Liu C, Henneman LRF, Vasilakos P, Bhogineni V, Weber RJ, Nenes A, Russell AG. Linked Response of Aerosol Acidity and Ammonia to SO 2 and NO x Emissions Reductions in the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:9861-9873. [PMID: 30032604 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Large reductions of sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions in the United States have led to considerable improvements in air quality, though recent analyses in the Southeastern United States have shown little response of aerosol pH to these reductions. This study examines the effects of reduced emissions on the trend of aerosol acidity in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), at a nationwide scale, using ambient concentration data from three monitoring networks-the Ammonia Monitoring Network (AMoN), the Clean Air Status and Trends network (CASTNET) and the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization Network (SEARCH), in conjunction with thermodynamic (ISORROPIA-II) and chemical transport (CMAQ) model results. Sulfate and ammonium experienced similar and significant decreases with little change in pH, neutralization ratio ( f = [NH4+]/2[SO42-] + [NO3-]), or nitrate. Oak Grove, MS was the only SEARCH site showing statistically significant pH changes in the Southeast region where small increases in pH (0.003-0.09 pH units/year) were observed. Of the five regions characterized using CASTNET/AMoN data, only California exhibited a statistically significant, albeit small pH increase of +0.04 pH units/year. Furthermore, statistically insignificant (α = 0.05) changes in ammonia were observed in response to emission and PM2.5 speciation changes. CMAQ simulation results had similar responses, showing steady ammonia levels and generally low pH, with little change from 2001 to 2011.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abiola S Lawal
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Xinbei Guan
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Cong Liu
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
- School of Energy and Environment , Southeast University , Nanjing 210096 , China
| | - Lucas R F Henneman
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Harvard University , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
| | - Petros Vasilakos
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Vasudha Bhogineni
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Rodney J Weber
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Athanasios Nenes
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
- Institute for Chemical Engineering Sciences , Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas , Patras , GR - 26504 , Greece
- Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development , National Observatory of Athens, P. Penteli , Athens , GR - 15236 , Greece
| | - Armistead G Russell
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
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