Water-soluble SOA from Alkene ozonolysis: Composition and droplet activation kinetics inferences from analysis of CCN activity

67Citations
Citations of this article
48Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Cloud formation characteristics of the water-soluble organic fraction (WSOC) of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formed from the ozonolysis of alkene hydrocarbons (terpinolene, 1-methlycycloheptene and cycloheptene) are studied. Based on size-resolved measurements of CCN activity (of the pure and salted WSOC samples) we estimate the average molar volume and surface tension depression associated with the WSOC using Köhler Theory Analysis (KTA). Consistent with known speciation, the results suggest that the WSOC are composed of low molecular weight species, with an effective molar mass below 200 g mol -1. The water-soluble carbon is also surface-active, depressing surface tension 10-15% from that of pure water (at CCN-relevant concentrations). The inherent hygroscopicity parameter, κ, of the WSOC ranges between 0.17 and 0.25; if surface tension depression and molar volume effects are considered in ΰ, a remarkably constant "apparent" hygroscopicity ∼0.3 emerges for all samples considered. This implies that the volume fraction of soluble material in the parent aerosol is the key composition parameter required for prediction of the SOA hygroscopicity, as shifts in molar volume across samples are compensated by changes in surface tension. Finally, using "threshold droplet growth analysis", the water-soluble organics in all samples considered do not affect CCN activation kinetics.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Asa-Awuku, A., Nenes, A., Gao, S., Flagan, R. C., & Seinfeld, J. H. (2010). Water-soluble SOA from Alkene ozonolysis: Composition and droplet activation kinetics inferences from analysis of CCN activity. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 10(4), 1585–1597. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-1585-2010

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free