Measurements of Organic Functional Groups and Morphology in Single Particles

Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM) spectrometry are valuable techniques in the analysis of the organic fraction of particles. NEXAFS uses non-destructive soft X-ray beams to distinguish organic functional groups absorbing at different bonding energies of carbon-containing molecules. Combined with STXM we obtain a two-dimensional map of particle composition and morphology. The data compiled from NEXAFS-STXM is clustered and analyzed to classify most condensed-phase organic compounds which we can identify. NEXAFS-STXM has been utilized in the following studies to improve our scientific understanding of the 30-90% of organic material that can be contained in an aerosol particle and ultimately how the different types can affect CCN properties, interaction with solar radiation, and aerosol chemistry differently.

Peer-reviewed publications on this topic:

• Single-Particle Oxidation-State and Morphology of Atmospheric Iron Aerosols
  S. Takahama, S. Gilardoni, L.M. Russell



NEXAFS and STXM measurements are used in this study to provide insight on iron distribution and oxidation. Sixty-three iron-containing particles from five field campaigns revealed a size range of 0.2-4.5 um and oxidation states with average Fe(II) to Fe(II)+Fe(III) ratios ranging from 0.0 to 0.73. No consistent correlation was found with Fe(II) fractions and organic functional groups.

• Classification of multiple types of organic carbon composition in atmospheric particles by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy analysis
  S. Takahama, S. Gilardoni, L.M. Russell, A.L.D. Kilcoyne



NEXAFS-STXM was used to summarize the organic functional group abundance and morphology of 595 atmospheric aerosol particles. Seven different campaigns revealed 14 different classes of organic particles that were thus related to their location and period to which they were collected. Particles resembling black carbon, humic-like aerosols, pine ultisol, and secondary aerosols were identified by comparison to other published spectra.

• Organic Aerosol Growth Mechanisms and Their Climate-Forcing Implications
  S.F. Maria, L.M. Russell, M.K. Gilles, S.C.B. Myneni



Aerosol particles from mineral dust and combustion emissions in Africa, Asia, and N. America were analyzed with the use of STXM technology to find that many of the carbonaceous components have reaction rates that are three times slower than those previously used in climate models. These reaction rates may mean that global organic aerosol burdens are under-predicted by 70%.

• Mapping organic coatings on atmospheric particles.
  L.M. Russell, S.F. Maria, S.C.B. Myneni



This study presents detailed maps of organic groups and inorganic ions in dry particles using NEXAFS-STXM for particles with diameters ranging from 0.2-10 um. The particle compositions were found to have the first observations of surface active carboxylic acids in organic coatings in atmospheric particles. The measurements provide evidence of coated structures within dry atmospheric particles, which may affect condensation and evaporation of semi-volatile vapors including water.