Binary homogeneous nucleation and growth of water-sulfuric acid nanoparticles using a TEMOM model

Abstract

Binary homogeneous nucleation and growth process of water-sulfuric acid nanoparticles in atmospheric environment is studied using a new developed moment model (i.e. TEMOM model). The underlying mechanisms due to Brownian motion are employed in the general dynamic equation which is further closed by Taylor-expansion technique. The newly proposed model provides high precision and efficiency in studying the present binary nucleation system as compared to exiting models. The competition between nucleation, coagulation and condensation in the whole nucleation and subsequent growth processes is systemically investigated in both cases with background particles and without particles. The results show the nucleation kinetics and aerosol dynamics are strongly dependent of production rate of sulfuric acid, and also dependent of the competition ability to scavenge sulfuric acid between pre-existing particles and nucleated particles. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.