Phase separation and regrowth of aerosol matter collected after size fractionation in an impactor

Abstract

Aerosol matter in the size range <2 μm was collected in a Berner impactor and subsequently analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry. Owing to the low electron beam energy of 5 keV (occasionally 10 keV), analysis was restricted to elements with atomic numbers ⩽20 (Ca). Sub-micrometer aerosol matter was found to contain mostly S, O, and C as well as some K and Ca. Nitrogen appeared to escape detection, probably due to bombardment-induced sublimation of NO 3 and NH 4. During sampling at low to moderate relative humidity (<60%) the sulphur-rich fraction of the aerosol matter (most likely sulphates) regrew in the form of microcrystals with sizes up to 10 times larger than the mean aerodynamic diameter of the respective impactor stage. By contrast, when sampling during periods in course of which the relative humidity exceeded 70%, the aerosol matter regrew in the form of extended amorphous agglomerates. The aerosol deposits also contained large numbers of carbon nanoparticles, well separated from the regrown sulphate-rich matter. The nanoparticles were similar in size (∼20–40 nm), much smaller than the equivalent aerodynamic diameter of the impacting particles (63 nm–2 μm). Presumably, the carbon nanoparticles constituted the core of larger air-borne particles covered with sulphates (as well as with nitrates and organic carbon). The regrown microcrystals disappeared rapidly under electron bombardment at high current density, an observation that indicates high volatility at elevated temperatures. Aerosol matter collected in the size range between 1 and 2 μm contained large fractions of particles made of O, Si, P, K, and Ca (oxides). These particles were highly resistant to electron bombardment (hard) and showed little or no evidence for agglomeration or regrowth. After removing the soluble (acidic) material from the collected aerosol matter, only carbon nanoparticles and hard coarse particles were left behind. The observation of agglomerated or crystallized “soft” aerosol matter in combination with phase separation of carbon nanoparticles lends further support to the assertion that it is not possible to collect useful quantities of fine and ultrafine aerosol particles with as-suspended morphology. Some implications for health-related research are discussed.