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Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Supermicrometer and Submicrometer Aerosol Particles
1Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
Accounts of Chemical Research
|May 21, 2020
Summary
Aerosol particle phase transitions, like liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), are crucial for climate. Smaller particles (<30 nm) remain homogeneous, while larger ones phase separate, impacting cloud formation.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric chemistry and physics
- Climate science
- Nanoparticle science
Background:
- Aerosol particle interactions with light and clouds are key uncertainties in climate forcing.
- Aerosol properties depend on composition, size, shape, and phase state, especially at the nanoscale.
- Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a critical phase transition in aerosol particles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize phase transitions in supermicrometer and submicrometer aerosol particles.
- To investigate the influence of composition and size on aerosol morphology and LLPS.
- To understand the implications for climate and other scientific fields.
Main Methods:
- Optical microscopy for supermicrometer particles.
- Cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy for submicrometer particles.
- Controlled drying experiments to observe morphology changes.
Main Results:
- Separation RH (SRH) for LLPS is highly sensitive to particle composition and pH.
- Submicrometer particles (<30 nm) exhibit size-dependent morphology, remaining homogeneous during LLPS.
- Inhibition of LLPS in small particles is due to activation energy barriers for nucleation and growth.
Conclusions:
- Aerosol morphology, influenced by LLPS, affects cloud condensation nuclei activation diameters.
- Understanding LLPS in aerosols is vital for accurate climate modeling.
- Findings have potential implications for materials and biological chemistry research.
