Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2170
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2170
15 May 2025
 | 15 May 2025

Surface tension and hygroscopicity analysis of aerosols containing organosulfate surfactants

Vahid Shahabadi, Cassandra Lefort, Hoi Tang Law, Man Nin Chan, and Thomas C. Preston

Abstract. Organosulfate (OS) surfactants can influence cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activation and hygroscopic growth by reducing the surface tension of aerosol particles. We investigate the surface tension and hygroscopicity of aerosols containing short- and long-chain OSs under supersaturated conditions using an electrodeformation method coupled with Raman spectroscopy. For short-chain OSs, the surface tension continues to decrease even under dry, viscous conditions. Sodium ethyl sulfate (SES) lowered surface tension to approximately 30 mN m-1, a value lower than that of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at its critical micelle concentration. We also studied ternary systems containing OSs with citric acid (CA) or sodium chloride (NaCl). Even small amounts of SDS, with a molar ratio of 10-3 relative to CA, reduce surface tension by up to 40 % at low relative humidity (RH) compared to CA alone. Despite strong surface tension reduction, ternary OS–CA–water systems show hygroscopicity nearly identical to binary CA–water systems, suggesting that surface tension does not influence water uptake under subsaturated conditions. Ternary systems containing NaCl and OS undergo efflorescence at 47 % RH, but the crystallized NaCl becomes partially engulfed. If the RH is subsequently increased, the coating takes up water. At the deliquescence point (72 % RH), the particle becomes homogeneous again. These findings improve our understanding of particle growth and cloud drop formation processes, which influence cloud properties like albedo and lifetime.

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Vahid Shahabadi, Cassandra Lefort, Hoi Tang Law, Man Nin Chan, and Thomas C. Preston

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2170', Anonymous Referee #1, 20 Jun 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Thomas Preston, 23 Aug 2025
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2170', Jussi Malila, 26 Jun 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on CC1', Thomas Preston, 23 Aug 2025
    • AC4: 'Reply on CC1', Thomas Preston, 23 Aug 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2170', Anonymous Referee #2, 29 Jul 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Thomas Preston, 23 Aug 2025

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2170', Anonymous Referee #1, 20 Jun 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Thomas Preston, 23 Aug 2025
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2170', Jussi Malila, 26 Jun 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on CC1', Thomas Preston, 23 Aug 2025
    • AC4: 'Reply on CC1', Thomas Preston, 23 Aug 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2170', Anonymous Referee #2, 29 Jul 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Thomas Preston, 23 Aug 2025
Vahid Shahabadi, Cassandra Lefort, Hoi Tang Law, Man Nin Chan, and Thomas C. Preston
Vahid Shahabadi, Cassandra Lefort, Hoi Tang Law, Man Nin Chan, and Thomas C. Preston

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Short summary
This research explores how organosulfate surfactants affect aerosol particles and their response to changes in relative humidity in the atmosphere. Using optical trapping and strong electric fields to investigate single particles, it is found that these surfactants can significantly lower surface tension, even in very small amounts. These findings are important for understanding how such particles influence cloud formation and properties like brightness.
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