Themed collection Particle Levitation to Address Challenges in Atmospheric Science
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Acoustic levitation with polarising optical microscopy (AL-POM): water uptake in a nanostructured atmospheric aerosol proxy
We present acoustic levitation combined with polarising optical microscopy (AL-POM). Fatty acid aerosols were probed and a model fit revealed a ca. 5–6 orders of magnitude difference in water diffusion coefficient upon a phase transition between optically birefringent and non-birefringent phases.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1642-1650
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00083D
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Single-particle measurements and estimations of activity coefficients for semi-volatile organic compounds in organic aerosol of known chemical speciation
Organic aerosol is a highly complex mixture of ∼104 to 105 unique compounds all possessing their own set of physico-chemical properties such as saturation vapour pressure and hygroscopicity.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 931-941
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00180B
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Hygroscopic growth of single atmospheric sea salt aerosol particles from mass measurement in an optical trap
The hygroscopic growth of single levitated atmospheric sea salt particles is re-examined by combining optical trapping with accurate mass measurements.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 695-707
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00129B
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Organic acid evaporation kinetics from aqueous aerosols: implications for aerosol buffering capacity in the atmosphere
The acidity of atmospheric aerosols controls their impacts on heterogeneous and multiphase reactions, cloud formation, and human health.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 316-327
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00092J
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Directly measuring Fe(III)-catalyzed SO2 oxidation rate in single optically levitated droplets
We directly measure the Fe(III)-catalyzed SO2 conversion in single microdroplet trapped and levitated with a gradient-force aerosol optical tweezer. There was a significant acceleration in the formation of SO2 to sulfate conversion on the surface of the aerosol microdroplets.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 298-304
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00125J
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Oxidation pathways of linoleic acid revisited with electrodynamic balance–mass spectrometry
Electrodynamic balance–mass spectrometry allows to study the ozonolysis of linoleic acid under strongly different ozone concentrations and reveals the importance of autoxidation at low ozone concentrations.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 85-96
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00127F
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Exploring the hygroscopicity, water diffusivity, and viscosity of organic–inorganic aerosols – a case study on internally-mixed citric acid and ammonium sulfate particles
Internally-mixed aerosol particles containing organic molecules and inorganic salts exhibit hygroscopic growth, viscosity and diffusion properties that have a non-linear dependence on composition.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 24-34
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00116K
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Equilibration times in viscous and viscoelastic aerosol particles
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles in Earth's atmosphere can exist in phase states where mass transport and chemical transformations are greatly impeded.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 1376-1388
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00065B
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Characterization of single fungal aerosol particles in a reactive atmospheric environment using time-resolved optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS)
We applied a time-resolved, optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS) technique to characterize single, trapped bioaerosol particles under well-controlled reactive conditions that mimic the native state of particles in the atmosphere.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 591-600
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00030J
About this collection
Single particle levitation approaches are versatile tools to study aerosols and have provided previously unprecedented insights into grand challenges in atmospheric science. This themed collection highlights recent high-impact work performed by researchers across the globe using single particle levitation approaches, including optical, electrodynamic, and acoustic traps.