Open AccessA theoretical study revealing the promotion of light‐absorbing carbon particles solubilization by natural surfactants in nanosized water droplets
Author(s) -
Hede Thomas,
Leck Caroline,
Sun Lu,
Tu Yaoquan,
Ågren Hans
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
atmospheric science letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 45
ISSN - 1530-261X
DOI - 10.1002/asl2.421
Subject(s) - soot , aerosol , environmental science , solubilization , carbon fibers , environmental chemistry , carbon dioxide , pollutant , natural (archaeology) , chemical engineering , materials science , atmospheric sciences , chemistry , geology , organic chemistry , combustion , paleontology , biochemistry , composite number , engineering , composite material
Many identified effects of atmospheric aerosol particles on climate come from pollutants. The effects of light‐absorbing carbon particles (soot) are amongst the most uncertain and they are also considered to cause climate warming on the same order of magnitude as anthropogenic carbon dioxide. This study contributes to the understanding of the potential for transformation of the surface character of soot from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, which in clouds promotes a build‐up of water‐soluble material. We use molecular dynamics simulations to show how natural surfactants facilitate solubilization of fluoranthene, which we use as a model compound for soot in nanoaerosol water clusters. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society