TS 14. Aerosol Thermodynamics And Phase Transitions

Presented by: Sarah Petters

Location: Ruidoso/Pecos

Abstract: Aerosol physical chemistry influences aerosol formation, growth, transport, heterogeneous reaction rates, and aerosol-cloud interactions. This tutorial covers the chemical thermodynamics of the aerosol phase, including theoretical development and important applications in aerosol science. Researchers interested in heterogeneous reactions or the dynamics of the aerosol size distribution will be especially interested in this tutorial. We will cover phase equilibria of condensed mixtures, activity models, and aerosol acidity. These concepts will then be applied to aerosol phase, which differs from that of bulk materials in a number of ways. For example, surface tension increases vapor pressure, increases internal pressure, suppresses liquid-liquid phase separation, and modulates viscosity. We will explore how these properties vary with temperature, diameter, and mixing state.

Presenter Bio: Sarah Petters is an Assistant Research Engineer III at the University of California Riverside. Her Atmospheric Physical Chemistry lab at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) specializes in aerosol phase state, heterogeneous chemistry, and instrumentation for realtime detection of aerosol physicochemical properties by continuous flow methods. Prior to this, Dr. Petters worked as a postdoc at Aarhus University in Denmark on analytical methods for nanoplastics in sea spray. She holds a BS in physics and a PhD in atmospheric sciences from North Carolina State University and was granted the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship to study multiphase aerosol and cloud chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For her contributions to the understanding of aerosol composition, phase state, and aerosol-water interaction, she received the Paul Crutzen Award for Early Career Scientists 2022 from the International Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution. Sarah Petters has served in various roles at AAAR before leading a tutorial, including being elected to chair a working group, organizing a Special Symposium, and serving on the Publications Committee and the Newsletter Committee.