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Updated: May 21, 2026
12:59
A System to Create Stable Nanoparticle Aerosols from Nanopowders
Published on: July 26, 2016
Exploring the complexity of aerosol particle properties and processes using single particle techniques
Ulrich K Krieger1, Claudia Marcolli, Jonathan P Reid
1Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Chemical Society Reviews
|June 29, 2012
Summary
Single particle measurements offer precise insights into atmospheric aerosol processes. This review details advances in understanding aerosol properties like size, phase, and composition for improved atmospheric modeling.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Aerosol Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Atmospheric aerosol particle properties (size, composition, phase, morphology) are complex and difficult to model.
- Individual processes influencing aerosols are typically studied in isolation under controlled laboratory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in understanding aerosol properties and processes using single particle measurements.
- To highlight the contributions of single particle studies to atmospheric aerosol research.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing single aerosol particles (2–100 μm) in electrodynamic, optical, and acoustic traps or on surfaces.
- Employing high-accuracy (sub-nanometre) measurements of particle size over diverse timescales (milliseconds to days).
- Analyzing particle phase behavior, hygroscopic growth, morphology, vapor pressure, water transport kinetics, and oxidative aging.
Main Results:
- Unambiguous identification of particle physical state.
- High spatial resolution for composition and phase determination.
- Detailed understanding of individual aerosol processes and their interplay.
Conclusions:
- Single particle measurements provide crucial data for understanding atmospheric aerosol properties and processes.
- Continued advancements in single particle techniques will further enhance atmospheric science models.
- These studies are vital for investigating the complex behavior of atmospheric aerosols.
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