Articles | Volume 3, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-237-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-237-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
19 May 2025
Research article |
| 19 May 2025
| 19 May 2025
Growth of atmospheric freshly nucleated particles: a semi-empirical molecular dynamics study
Yosef Knattrup
Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Ivo Neefjes
Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Jakub Kubečka
Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Yosef Knattrup and Jonas Elm
Aerosol Research, 3, 125–137, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-125-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-125-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Using quantum chemical methods, we studied the uptake of first-generation oxidation products onto freshly nucleated particles (FNPs). We find that pinic acid can condense on these small FNPs at realistic atmospheric conditions, thereby contributing to early particle growth. The mechanism involves two pinic acid molecules interacting with each other, showing that direct organic–organic interactions during co-condensation onto the particle contribute to the growth.
Galib Hasan, Haide Wu, Yosef Knattrup, and Jonas Elm
Aerosol Research, 3, 101–111, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-101-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-101-2025, 2025
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Short summary
Aerosol formation is an important process for our global climate. However, there are high uncertainties associated with the formation of new aerosol particles. We present quantum chemical calculations of large atmospheric molecular clusters composed of sulfuric acid (SA), ammonia (AM), and dimethylamine (DMA). We find that mixed SA–AM–DMA systems cluster more efficiently for freshly nucleated particles compared to pure SA–AM and SA–DMA systems.
Haide Wu, Yosef Knattrup, Andreas Buchgraitz Jensen, and Jonas Elm
Aerosol Research, 2, 303–314, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-303-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-303-2024, 2024
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Short summary
The exact point at which a given assembly of molecules represents an atmospheric molecular cluster or a particle remains ambiguous. Using quantum chemical methods, here we explore a cluster-to-particle transition point. Based on our results, we deduce a property-based criterion for defining freshly nucleated particles (FNPs) that act as a boundary between discrete cluster configurations and bulk particles.
Astrid Nørskov Pedersen, Yosef Knattrup, and Jonas Elm
Aerosol Research, 2, 123–134, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-123-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-123-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol formation is an important process for our global climate. While inorganic species have been shown to be important for aerosol formation, there remains a large gap in our knowledge about the exact involvement of organics. We present a new quantum chemical procedure for screening relevant organics that for the first time allows us to obtain direct molecular-level insight into the organics involved in aerosol formation.
Yosef Knattrup and Jonas Elm
Aerosol Research, 3, 125–137, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-125-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-125-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Using quantum chemical methods, we studied the uptake of first-generation oxidation products onto freshly nucleated particles (FNPs). We find that pinic acid can condense on these small FNPs at realistic atmospheric conditions, thereby contributing to early particle growth. The mechanism involves two pinic acid molecules interacting with each other, showing that direct organic–organic interactions during co-condensation onto the particle contribute to the growth.
Galib Hasan, Haide Wu, Yosef Knattrup, and Jonas Elm
Aerosol Research, 3, 101–111, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-101-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-101-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol formation is an important process for our global climate. However, there are high uncertainties associated with the formation of new aerosol particles. We present quantum chemical calculations of large atmospheric molecular clusters composed of sulfuric acid (SA), ammonia (AM), and dimethylamine (DMA). We find that mixed SA–AM–DMA systems cluster more efficiently for freshly nucleated particles compared to pure SA–AM and SA–DMA systems.
Haide Wu, Yosef Knattrup, Andreas Buchgraitz Jensen, and Jonas Elm
Aerosol Research, 2, 303–314, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-303-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-303-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The exact point at which a given assembly of molecules represents an atmospheric molecular cluster or a particle remains ambiguous. Using quantum chemical methods, here we explore a cluster-to-particle transition point. Based on our results, we deduce a property-based criterion for defining freshly nucleated particles (FNPs) that act as a boundary between discrete cluster configurations and bulk particles.
Astrid Nørskov Pedersen, Yosef Knattrup, and Jonas Elm
Aerosol Research, 2, 123–134, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-123-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-123-2024, 2024
Short summary
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Aerosol formation is an important process for our global climate. While inorganic species have been shown to be important for aerosol formation, there remains a large gap in our knowledge about the exact involvement of organics. We present a new quantum chemical procedure for screening relevant organics that for the first time allows us to obtain direct molecular-level insight into the organics involved in aerosol formation.
Jonas Elm, Aladár Czitrovszky, Andreas Held, Annele Virtanen, Astrid Kiendler-Scharr, Benjamin J. Murray, Daniel McCluskey, Daniele Contini, David Broday, Eirini Goudeli, Hilkka Timonen, Joan Rosell-Llompart, Jose L. Castillo, Evangelia Diapouli, Mar Viana, Maria E. Messing, Markku Kulmala, Naděžda Zíková, and Sebastian H. Schmitt
Aerosol Research, 1, 13–16, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-1-13-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-1-13-2023, 2023
Huan Yang, Ivo Neefjes, Valtteri Tikkanen, Jakub Kubečka, Theo Kurtén, Hanna Vehkamäki, and Bernhard Reischl
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 5993–6009, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5993-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-5993-2023, 2023
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We present a new analytical model for collision rates between molecules and clusters of arbitrary sizes, accounting for long-range interactions. The model is verified against atomistic simulations of typical acid–base clusters participating in atmospheric new particle formation (NPF). Compared to non-interacting models, accounting for long-range interactions leads to 2–3 times higher collision rates for small clusters, indicating the necessity of including such interactions in NPF modeling.
Bernadette Rosati, Sini Isokääntä, Sigurd Christiansen, Mads Mørk Jensen, Shamjad P. Moosakutty, Robin Wollesen de Jonge, Andreas Massling, Marianne Glasius, Jonas Elm, Annele Virtanen, and Merete Bilde
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 13449–13466, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13449-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13449-2022, 2022
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Sulfate aerosols have a strong influence on climate. Due to the reduction in sulfur-based fossil fuels, natural sulfur emissions play an increasingly important role. Studies investigating the climate relevance of natural sulfur aerosols are scarce. We study the water uptake of such particles in the laboratory, demonstrating a high potential to take up water and form cloud droplets. During atmospheric transit, chemical processing affects the particles’ composition and thus their water uptake.
Jingwen Xue, Fangfang Ma, Jonas Elm, Jingwen Chen, and Hong-Bin Xie
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 11543–11555, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11543-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11543-2022, 2022
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·OH/·Cl initiated indole reactions mainly form organonitrates, alkoxy radicals and hydroperoxide products, showing a varying mechanism from previously reported amines reactions. This study reveals carcinogenic nitrosamines cannot be formed in indole oxidation reactions despite radicals formed from -NH- H abstraction. The results are important to understand the atmospheric impact of indole oxidation and extend current understanding on the atmospheric chemistry of organic nitrogen compounds.
Ivo Neefjes, Roope Halonen, Hanna Vehkamäki, and Bernhard Reischl
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 11155–11172, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11155-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11155-2022, 2022
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Collisions between ionic and dipolar molecules and clusters facilitate the formation of atmospheric aerosol particles, which affect global climate and air quality. We compared often-used classical approaches for calculating ion–dipole collision rates with robust atomistic computer simulations. While classical approaches work for simple ions and dipoles only, our modeling approach can also efficiently calculate reasonable collision properties for more complex systems.
Rongjie Zhang, Jiewen Shen, Hong-Bin Xie, Jingwen Chen, and Jonas Elm
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2639–2650, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2639-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2639-2022, 2022
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Formic acid is screened out as the species that can effectively catalyze the new particle formation (NPF) of the methanesulfonic acid (MSA)–methylamine system, indicating organic acids might be required to facilitate MSA-driven NPF in the atmosphere. The results are significant to comprehensively understand the MSA-driven NPF and expand current knowledge of the contribution of OAs to NPF.
Dina Alfaouri, Monica Passananti, Tommaso Zanca, Lauri Ahonen, Juha Kangasluoma, Jakub Kubečka, Nanna Myllys, and Hanna Vehkamäki
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 11–19, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-11-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-11-2022, 2022
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To study what is happening in the atmosphere, it is important to be able to measure the molecules and clusters present in it. In our work, we studied an artifact that happens inside a mass spectrometer, in particular the fragmentation of clusters. We were able to quantify the fragmentation and retrieve the correct concentration and composition of the clusters using our dual (experimental and theoretical) approach.
Robin Wollesen de Jonge, Jonas Elm, Bernadette Rosati, Sigurd Christiansen, Noora Hyttinen, Dana Lüdemann, Merete Bilde, and Pontus Roldin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9955–9976, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9955-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9955-2021, 2021
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This study presents a detailed analysis of the OH-initiated oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) based on experiments performed in the Aarhus University Research on Aerosol (AURA) smog chamber and the gas- and particle-phase chemistry kinetic multilayer model (ADCHAM). We capture the formation, growth and chemical composition of aerosols in the chamber setup by an improved multiphase oxidation mechanism and utilize our results to reproduce the important role of DMS in the marine boundary layer.
Anna Shcherbacheva, Tracey Balehowsky, Jakub Kubečka, Tinja Olenius, Tapio Helin, Heikki Haario, Marko Laine, Theo Kurtén, and Hanna Vehkamäki
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 15867–15906, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15867-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15867-2020, 2020
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Atmospheric new particle formation and cluster growth to aerosol particles is an important field of research, in particular due to the climate change phenomenon. Evaporation rates are very difficult to account for but they are important to explain the formation and growth of particles. Different quantum chemistry (QC) methods produce substantially different values for the evaporation rates. We propose a novel approach for inferring evaporation rates of clusters from available measurements.
Noora Hyttinen, Reyhaneh Heshmatnezhad, Jonas Elm, Theo Kurtén, and Nønne L. Prisle
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 13131–13143, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13131-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13131-2020, 2020
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We present aqueous solubilities and activity coefficients of mono- and dicarboxylic acids (C1–C6 and C2–C8, respectively) estimated using the COSMOtherm program. In addition, we have calculated effective equilibrium constants of dimerization and hydration of the same acids in the condensed phase. We were also able to improve the agreement between experimental and estimated properties of monocarboxylic acids in aqueous solutions by including clustering reactions in COSMOtherm calculations.
Kasper Kristensen, Louise N. Jensen, Lauriane L. J. Quéléver, Sigurd Christiansen, Bernadette Rosati, Jonas Elm, Ricky Teiwes, Henrik B. Pedersen, Marianne Glasius, Mikael Ehn, and Merete Bilde
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 12549–12567, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12549-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12549-2020, 2020
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Atmospheric particles are important in relation to human health and the global climate. As the global temperature changes, so may the atmospheric chemistry controlling the formation of particles from reactions of naturally emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the current work, we show how temperatures influence the formation and chemical composition of atmospheric particles from α-pinene: a biogenic VOC largely emitted in high-latitude environments such as the boreal forests.
Tommaso Zanca, Jakub Kubečka, Evgeni Zapadinsky, Monica Passananti, Theo Kurtén, and Hanna Vehkamäki
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 3581–3593, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-3581-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-3581-2020, 2020
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In this paper we quantify (using a statistical model) the probability of decomposition of a representative class of HOM clusters in an APi-TOF mass spectrometer. This is important because it quantifies the systematic error of measurements in a APi-TOF MS due to cluster decomposition. The results (specific for our selected clusters) show that decomposition is negligible, provided their bonding energy is large enough to allow formation in the atmosphere in the first place.
Noora Hyttinen, Jonas Elm, Jussi Malila, Silvia M. Calderón, and Nønne L. Prisle
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 5679–5696, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-5679-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-5679-2020, 2020
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Organosulfates have been identified in atmospheric secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The thermodynamic properties of SOA constituents, such as organosulfates, affect the stability and atmospheric impact of the SOA. Here we present estimated solubility, activity, pKa, saturation vapor pressure and Henry's law solubility values for several atmospherically relevant monoterpene- and isoprene-derived organosulfate compounds. These properties can be used, for example, in aerosol process modeling.
Nanna Myllys, Jakub Kubečka, Vitus Besel, Dina Alfaouri, Tinja Olenius, James Norman Smith, and Monica Passananti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 9753–9768, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-9753-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-9753-2019, 2019
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In atmospheric sulfuric-acid-driven particle formation, bases are able to stabilize the initial molecular clusters and thus enhance particle formation. We have investigated the enhancing potential of different bases in atmospheric particle formation. We show that strong bases with low abundance are likely to dominate electrically neutral particle formation, whereas weak bases with high abundance have a larger role in ion-mediated particle formation.
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The study explores the formation of small soot clusters by precursor molecules at high temperature. Higher temperature speeds up the decomposition of gas molecules, accelerating the formation of cyclic structures decorated by aliphatic chains. This research offers new insights into the early steps of soot formation, which could help develop more informed kinetic models for pyrolysis and combustion processes.
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Aerosol Research, 3, 125–137, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-125-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-3-125-2025, 2025
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Using quantum chemical methods, we studied the uptake of first-generation oxidation products onto freshly nucleated particles (FNPs). We find that pinic acid can condense on these small FNPs at realistic atmospheric conditions, thereby contributing to early particle growth. The mechanism involves two pinic acid molecules interacting with each other, showing that direct organic–organic interactions during co-condensation onto the particle contribute to the growth.
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Aerosol formation is an important process for our global climate. However, there are high uncertainties associated with the formation of new aerosol particles. We present quantum chemical calculations of large atmospheric molecular clusters composed of sulfuric acid (SA), ammonia (AM), and dimethylamine (DMA). We find that mixed SA–AM–DMA systems cluster more efficiently for freshly nucleated particles compared to pure SA–AM and SA–DMA systems.
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The exact point at which a given assembly of molecules represents an atmospheric molecular cluster or a particle remains ambiguous. Using quantum chemical methods, here we explore a cluster-to-particle transition point. Based on our results, we deduce a property-based criterion for defining freshly nucleated particles (FNPs) that act as a boundary between discrete cluster configurations and bulk particles.
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Our study explores how tiny plastic particles, known as microplastics (MPs), move through the air. We focus on their journey in a wind tunnel to mimic atmospheric transport. Depending on the air speed and the height of their release, they move downwards or upwards. These results suggest that MPs behave like mineral particles and that we can expect MPs to accumulate where natural dust also accumulates in the environment, offering insights for predicting the spread and impacts of MPs.
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Aerosol formation is an important process for our global climate. While inorganic species have been shown to be important for aerosol formation, there remains a large gap in our knowledge about the exact involvement of organics. We present a new quantum chemical procedure for screening relevant organics that for the first time allows us to obtain direct molecular-level insight into the organics involved in aerosol formation.
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We analyze the mechanism whereby sunlight and iron catalyze the production of chlorine from chloride in sea spray aerosol. This process occurs naturally over the North Atlantic and is the single most important source of chlorine. We investigate the mechanism using quantum chemistry, laboratory experiments, and aqueous chemistry modelling. The process will change depending on competing ions, light distribution, acidity, and chloride concentration.
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Short summary
Aerosols, a large uncertainty in climate modeling, can be formed when gas vapors and particles begin sticking together. Traditionally, these particles are assumed to behave like hard spheres that only stick together upon head-on collisions. In reality, particles can attract each other over distances, leading to more frequent sticking events. We found that traditional models significantly undercount these events, with real sticking rates being up to 2.4 times higher.
Aerosols, a large uncertainty in climate modeling, can be formed when gas vapors and particles...
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