Potential Enhancement in Atmospheric Nanoparticles Growth by
Amine-Assisted Nitrate Condensation at Room Temperature
Abstract
The formation and aging of atmospheric aerosol are of critical
importance in public health and the global climate. Recently laboratory
experiments suggested rapid condensation of nitrate and ammonia during
new particle formation events at low temperature. Amines are emitted
into the atmosphere in large quantities from natural and anthropogenic
sources. Using thermodynamic simulations, the contribution of amines to
nitrate condensation into ambient nanoparticles at various temperature
and relative humidity conditions was systematically evaluated. It is
observed that monoamines will facilitate nitrate condensation at a low
temperature comparable to ammonia, while those with additional hydrogen
bonds (such as monoethanolamine and piperazine) showed the potential to
condense nitrate at room temperature. The condensation of amines and
nitrate could also lower the aerosol deliquescence point, possibly
altering particle properties and aging. Our results suggest the
potentially critical role of amines in ambient aerosol growth via
nitrate condensation at a wide temperature range.