Neutral molecular cluster formation of sulfuric acid-dimethylamine observed in real time under atmospheric conditions.

ABSTRACT: For atmospheric sulfuric acid (SA) concentrations the presence of dimethylamine (DMA) at mixing ratios of several parts per trillion by volume can explain observed boundary layer new particle formation rates. However, the concentration and molecular composition of the neutral (uncharged) clusters have not been reported so far due to the lack of suitable instrumentation. Here we report on experiments from the Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets chamber at the European Organization for Nuclear Research revealing the formation of neutral particles containing up to 14 SA and 16 DMA molecules, corresponding to a mobility diameter of about 2 nm, under atmospherically relevant conditions. These measurements bridge the gap between the molecular and particle perspectives of nucleation, revealing the f

SUBMITTER: Kurten A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4210346 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature