PNNL

Abstract

Internal structures, hygroscopic properties and heterogeneous reactivity of mixed CH3SO3Na/NaCl particles were investigated using a combination of computer modeling and experimental approaches. Surfactant properties of CH3SO3 ions and their surface accumulation in wet, deliquesced particles were assessed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and surface tension measurements. Internal structures of dry CH3SO3Na/NaCl particles were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assisted with X-ray microanalysis mapping, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The combination of these techniques shows that dry CH3SO3Na/NaCl particles are composed of a NaCl core surrounded by a CH3SO3Na shell. Hygroscopic growth, deliquescence and efflorescence phase transitions of mixed CH3SO3Na/NaCl particles were determined and compared to those of pure NaCl particles. These results indicate that particles undergo a two step deliquescence transition: first at ~69% relative humidity (RH) the CH3SO3Na shell takes up water, and then at ~75% RH the NaCl core deliquesces. Reactive uptake coefficients for the particle HNO3 heterogeneous reaction were determined at different CH3SO3Na/NaCl mixing ratios and RH. The net reaction probability decreased notably with increasing CH3SO3Na and at lower RH.