Research & Teaching Faculty

The viscosity of atmospherically relevant organic particles

TitleThe viscosity of atmospherically relevant organic particles
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsReid, JP, Bertram, AK, Topping, DO, Laskin, A, Martin, ST, Petters, MD, Pope, FD, Rovelli, G
JournalNATURE COMMUNICATIONS
Volume9
Date PublishedMAR 6
Abstract

The importance of organic aerosol particles in the environment has been long established, influencing cloud formation and lifetime, absorbing and scattering sunlight, affecting atmospheric composition and impacting on human health. Conventionally, ambient organic particles were considered to exist as liquids. Recent observations in field measurements and studies in the laboratory suggest that they may instead exist as highly viscous semi-solids or amorphous glassy solids under certain conditions, with important implications for atmospheric chemistry, climate and air quality. This review explores our understanding of aerosol particle phase, particularly as identified by measurements of the viscosity of organic particles, and the atmospheric implications of phase state.

URLhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03027-z
DOI10.1038/s41467-018-03027-z