Vapor-phase nucleation is a macroscopic process for the formation of new particles, which is controlled by dynamical rare-event processes of molecular clusters. This presentation will review Dynamical Nucleation Theory (DNT), which provides a consistent theoretical approach to the thermodynamics and kinetics of molecular clusters that control nucleation. The unique aspect of DNT is its focus on calculations of rates of evaporation of molecules from clusters and the use of variational transition state theory to provide a consistent definition of clusters important in the nucleation process as well as evaluation of these important rates. The presentation will review DNT and its application to aqueous systems. In particular, the origin of the extreme sensitivity of nucleation to physical conditions, molecular components, and interaction potentials will be discussed. Sensitivity of nucleation has important implications for the role of trace species on nucleation of new particles in the atmosphere.

Vapor-to-particle nucleation: A molecular perspective

244th National Meeting (2012)

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