Experimental study of particle formation by ion-ion recombination.

Abstract

Particle formation by ion-ion recombination has been studied using an ion-ion recombination drift tube (IIR-DT). IIR-DT uses two DC corona ionizers to produce positive and negative ions at the ends of the drift tube. The ions of different polarity move in opposite directions along the electric field in the drift tube. We observed significant particle formation using ions generated in purified air containing H2O, SO2, and NH3. Particle formation was suppressed when no drift field was applied. We also observed few particles when we used a single discharge (positive or negative only). These results clearly show that particle formation observed in the IIR-DT was caused by nucleation by ion-ion recombination. Positive and negative ion species produced by corona ionizers were investigated using an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer. The ions involved in the particle formation were suggested to include H3O(+)(H2O)n and NH4(+)(H2O)n for positive ions and sulfur-based ions such as SO5(-), SO5(-)NO2, and HSO4(-) for negative ions.