Elemental Composition of Freshly Nucleated Particles
Project Information
| Principal Investigator | Murray Johnston |
| Institution | University of Delaware |
| Project URL | View |
| Relevance to Implications | High |
| Class of Nanomaterial | Natural Nanomaterials |
| Impact Sector | Environment |
| Broad Research Categories |
Generation, Dispersion, Transformation etc. Characterization |
| NNI identifier |
Funding Information
| Country | USA |
| Anticipated Total Funding | $390,000.00 |
| Annual Funding | $195,000.00 |
| Funding Source | EPA |
| Funding Mechanism | Extramural |
| Funding Sector | Government |
| Start Year | 2002 |
| Anticipated End Year | 2004 |
Abstract/Summary
The main objective of this work is to develop a method for real-time sampling and analysis of individual airborne nanoparticles in the 5 - 20 nm diameter range. The size range covered by this method is much smaller than existing single particle methods for chemical analysis. Since particles in this size range are close to their origin, chemical composition measurements should provide greater insight into particle formation mechanisms.
Approach:
Nanoparticles will be classified by elemental composition using aerosol mass spectrometry. The aerosol will be drawn directly into a mass spectrometer where individual particles are analyzed in real time by laser ablation. To increase the sampling efficiency for particles in the 5 -20 nm diameter range, a quadrupole ion guide will be used to focus particles into the ablation laser beam path. Quantitative measurements of elemental composition will be achieved by complete atomization and ionization of individual particles using a high energy laser pulse to create a nano-plasma. This method will be used to study a variety of particle formation processes. While laboratory investigations are emphasized in this work, the instrumentation will be suitable for field experiments.
Expected Results:
Nanometer diameter aerosol particles are important precursors of larger particles in the accumulation mode. There is growing evidence that ultrafine particles are toxic and that particle number can be an important indicator of human health. Controlling ultrafine particle concentrations requires an understanding of the gas phase condensation processes that lead to new particle formation. Measuring the elemental composition of individual, nanoparticles will help quantify the relative contributions of the various sources.
