Role of pH in Aerosol Processes and Measurement Challenges
Abstract
pH is one of the most basic chemical properties of aqueous solution, but its measurement in nanoscale aerosol particles presents many challenges. The pH of aerosol particles is of growing interest in the atmospheric chemistry community because of its demonstrated effects on heterogeneous chemistry and human health, as well as potential effects on climate. The authors have shown that phase transitions of aerosol particles are sensitive to pH, focusing on systems that undergo liquid-liquid phase separation. Currently, aerosol pH is calculated indirectly from knowledge of species present in the gas and aerosol phases through the use of thermodynamic models. From these models, ambient aerosol is expected to be highly acidic (pH ~ 0-3). Direct measurements have focused on model systems due to the difficulty of this measurement. This area is one in which physical chemists should be encouraged to contribute because of the potential consequences for aerosol processes in the environment.
- Authors:
-
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1491413
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1508822
- Grant/Contract Number:
- DE SC0018032; SC0018032; AGS-1723290
- Resource Type:
- Published Article
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory Journal Volume: 123 Journal Issue: 7; Journal ID: ISSN 1089-5639
- Publisher:
- American Chemical Society
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Citation Formats
Freedman, Miriam Arak, Ott, Emily-Jean E., and Marak, Katherine E. Role of pH in Aerosol Processes and Measurement Challenges. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1021/acs.jpca.8b10676.
Freedman, Miriam Arak, Ott, Emily-Jean E., & Marak, Katherine E. Role of pH in Aerosol Processes and Measurement Challenges. United States. doi:10.1021/acs.jpca.8b10676.
Freedman, Miriam Arak, Ott, Emily-Jean E., and Marak, Katherine E. Mon .
"Role of pH in Aerosol Processes and Measurement Challenges". United States. doi:10.1021/acs.jpca.8b10676.
@article{osti_1491413,
title = {Role of pH in Aerosol Processes and Measurement Challenges},
author = {Freedman, Miriam Arak and Ott, Emily-Jean E. and Marak, Katherine E.},
abstractNote = {pH is one of the most basic chemical properties of aqueous solution, but its measurement in nanoscale aerosol particles presents many challenges. The pH of aerosol particles is of growing interest in the atmospheric chemistry community because of its demonstrated effects on heterogeneous chemistry and human health, as well as potential effects on climate. The authors have shown that phase transitions of aerosol particles are sensitive to pH, focusing on systems that undergo liquid-liquid phase separation. Currently, aerosol pH is calculated indirectly from knowledge of species present in the gas and aerosol phases through the use of thermodynamic models. From these models, ambient aerosol is expected to be highly acidic (pH ~ 0-3). Direct measurements have focused on model systems due to the difficulty of this measurement. This area is one in which physical chemists should be encouraged to contribute because of the potential consequences for aerosol processes in the environment.},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jpca.8b10676},
journal = {Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory},
number = 7,
volume = 123,
place = {United States},
year = {2018},
month = {11}
}
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.8b10676
Web of Science
Figures / Tables:

Works referencing / citing this record:
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Figures / Tables found in this record: