Suspended aqueous aerosol droplets (&lt;50 µm) are micro-reactors for many important atmospheric reactions. Within droplets, as in other aqueous environments, pH is arguably the key parameter dictating both chemistry and biology. The air/water interface of a droplet is highly dynamic and this dynamic nature potentially alters droplet pH relative to what might be expected based upon bulk water parameters. However, it has been historically challenging to measure the pH inside single aerosol droplets due to their inaccessibility to conventional pH measuring devices. In this study, we apply surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and nanoparticle (AuNP) based pH nanoprobes to determine the pH inside aerosol droplets. We will show that droplet pH is affected by both the chemistry of the droplet solution as well as the chemistry of the atmosphere in which the droplet is located. <br/>

<i> In situ</i>   quantification of pH in aerosol droplets

2019 Fall National Meeting

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In situ quantification of pH in aerosol droplets