Hygroscopic properties of potassium-halide nanoparticles
M Giamarelou (University of the Aegean)
M. Smith (Harvard University)
E. Papapanagiotou (University of the Aegean)
S. T. Martin (Harvard University)
G Biskos (TU Delft - Atmospheric Remote Sensing, The Cyprus Institute)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
The hygroscopic properties of KBr, KCl, and KI nanoparticles having diameters from 8 to 60 nm were measured using a tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer. In all cases, the deliquescence and efflorescence relative humidity values increased with decreasing particle diameter. The associated growth factors also decreased with decreasing particle diameter, in agreement with predictions by Köhler theory. Overall, the theoretically predicted growth factors agreed well with the measurements, i.e., within ±3% uncertainty. For KCl particles having sizes down to 15 nm, however, a dynamic shape factor of 1.08, corresponding to non-spherical crystalline particles prior deliquescence, was inferred for agreement between measurements and theory. By comparison, KBr and KI within the same size range warranted shape factors of unity, equivalent to a sphere. These results contribute to an understanding of nanosize behavior widely relevant to material sciences as well as atmospheric aerosol particles over the oceans.
help_outline