Measurement of the specific surface area and particle size distribution of atmospheric aerosol reference materials

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) Vol. 75; pp. 1 - 5
• Main Author: Okuda, Tomoaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; BET specific surface area; Chemical composition; EC/OC; Exact sciences and technology; Particle size distribution; PM2.5; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Standard reference materials; Particle size distribution; Chemical composition; BET specific surface area; Standard reference materials; EC/OC; PM2.5; Carbonaceous materials; Health and environment; Fine particle; Aerosols; Reference material; Surface properties; Air pollution; Surface area; PM; Public health
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.04.033
• ISSN: 1352-2310

The investigation of the surface area of atmospheric aerosols is important as it provides a metric for their adverse health effects; however, few previous studies have considered this parameter. This study investigated the BET specific surface areas of aerosols, as well as the particle size distributions and chemical compositions of the three commercially available atmospheric aerosol reference materials; namely SRM1649a, CRM#28 and CRM#8. SRM1649a and CRM#28 consist mainly of coarse particles, while CRM#8 consists mainly of fine (or ultrafine) particles. The specific surface areas of the reference materials were; SRM1649a: 2.0 ± 0.2 m2 g−1, CRM#28: 2.0 ± 0.2 m2 g−1 and CRM#8: 35.7 ± 5.3 m2 g−1. CRM#8 had a higher value for the specific surface area. The specific surface area for CRM#8 was likely to be associated with the characteristics of diesel particulate matters. When the estimation of specific surface area of aerosol particles is based on the assumption that all particles are spherical and not aggregates/agglomerates, using particle number and mass distribution, the estimated value is likely to be significantly lower than the actual value, in particular, for fine or ultrafine particles. The actual specific surface area of atmospheric aerosols should be measured to avoid the underestimation of their adverse health effects.