10.6084/m9.figshare.3544724.v1 Nicholas E. Rothfuss Nicholas E. Rothfuss Markus D. Petters Markus D. Petters Coalescence-based assessment of aerosol phase state using dimers prepared through a dual-differential mobility analyzer technique Taylor & Francis Group 2016 Kihong Park 2016-08-05 18:20:28 Journal contribution https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Coalescence-based_assessment_of_aerosol_phase_state_using_dimers_prepared_through_a_dual-differential_mobility_analyzer_technique/3544724 <p>Viscosity of atmospheric aerosol spans at least 15 orders of magnitude, from thin liquids to glassy solids, with possible concomitant impact on multiple processes of meteorological and/or climatological concern. Recently there has been interest in aerosol phase assessment techniques based upon dimer coalescence. Theoretical treatment suggests discernible reductions in dimer diameter begin when viscosity ∼10<sup>8</sup> Pa·s and the dimer is spherical at ∼10<sup>5</sup> Pa·s for submicron particles, or the middle range of the semisolid regime. A method using nanoparticle dimers synthesized by utilizing differential mobility analyzers of opposite polarity to produce monomers of opposite charge that subsequently undergo electrostatically mediated coagulation has been developed and is detailed in this work. This method was used to assess the aerosol phase state of several atmospherically relevant organic species and inorganic salts at relative humidity (RH) values ranging between 10% and 100%. Ammonium sulfate, monosodium α-ketoglutaric acid, sodium chloride, and sucrose all displayed RH-dependent phase state. These observed viscous transitions occurred at RH values less than existing deliquescence RH data, a result consistent with existing literature reports of RH-induced structural rearrangements. Fully coalesced and fully uncoalesced diameters could be fitted to single values, indicating that the presented technique is absolute. The method was also used to assess the phase state of dry sucrose aerosol at temperatures between 20°C and 70°C. A phase transition was noted at 63.7°C ± 4.4°C, near the glass transition temperature, suggesting the presented method may also be useful for probing phase responses to temperature perturbations.</p> <p>Copyright © 2016 American Association for Aerosol Research</p>