Funding:  The Swedish Research Council (VR).

Objectives: The formation of new aerosol particles in our atmosphere is poorly understood and it is suggested that ternary homogeneous nucleation and ion-induced nucleation followed by cluster ion-cluster ion recombination are important processes in forming these particles. The aim of the present project is to provide a molecular-level understanding of
(i) ternary homogeneous nucleation,
(ii) ion-induced nucleation,
(iii) cluster ion-cluster ion recombination.

Description: In this project, we focus on clusters containing H₂O, NH₃, H₂SO₄, and organic acids. These components are believed to be present in the production of clusters in the atmosphere. We are currently studying the reaction kinetics when a water molecule is added to a small size selected cluster of water (typically <20 molecules) at thermal collision energies. The kinetics of this fundamental reaction is studied as a function of cluster size. The reactivity and stability of more complex ternary cluster ions will be studied in the coming years.

Staff working within this project

Patrik Andersson,
Research assistant

Mauritz Ryding,
Ph.D. Student

Links
Popular science description in Swedish