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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2301
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2301
10 Jun 2025
 | 10 Jun 2025

Direct observation of core-shell structure and water uptake of individual submicron urban aerosol particles

Ruiqi Man, Yishu Zhu, Zhijun Wu, Peter Aaron Alpert, Bingbing Wang, Jing Dou, Jie Chen, Yan Zheng, Yanli Ge, Qi Chen, Shiyi Chen, Xiangrui Kong, Markus Ammann, and Min Hu

Abstract. Determining the particle chemical morphology is crucial for unraveling reactive uptake in atmospheric multiphase and heterogeneous chemistry. However, it remains challenging due to the complexity and inhomogeneity of aerosols particles. Using a scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) coupled with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and an environmental cell, we imaged and quantified the chemical morphology and hygroscopic behavior of individual submicron urban aerosol particles. Results show that internally mixed particles composed of organic carbon and inorganic matter (OCIn) dominated the particle population (73.1 ± 7.4 %). At 86 % relative humidity, 41.6 % of the particles took up water, with OCIn particles constituting 76.8 % of these hygroscopic particles. Most particles exhibited a core-shell structure under both dry and humid conditions, with an inorganic core and an organic shell. Our findings provide direct observational evidence of the core-shell structure and water uptake behavior of typical urban aerosols, which underscore the importance of incorporating the core-shell structure into models for predicting the reactive uptake coefficient of heterogeneous reactions.

Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

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Ruiqi Man, Yishu Zhu, Zhijun Wu, Peter Aaron Alpert, Bingbing Wang, Jing Dou, Jie Chen, Yan Zheng, Yanli Ge, Qi Chen, Shiyi Chen, Xiangrui Kong, Markus Ammann, and Min Hu

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Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2301', Anonymous Referee #1, 25 Jul 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2301', Anonymous Referee #2, 28 Jul 2025
Ruiqi Man, Yishu Zhu, Zhijun Wu, Peter Aaron Alpert, Bingbing Wang, Jing Dou, Jie Chen, Yan Zheng, Yanli Ge, Qi Chen, Shiyi Chen, Xiangrui Kong, Markus Ammann, and Min Hu
Ruiqi Man, Yishu Zhu, Zhijun Wu, Peter Aaron Alpert, Bingbing Wang, Jing Dou, Jie Chen, Yan Zheng, Yanli Ge, Qi Chen, Shiyi Chen, Xiangrui Kong, Markus Ammann, and Min Hu

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Short summary
The particle chemical morphology is important to atmospheric multiphase and heterogeneous chemistry. This work directly observed the core-shell structure and water uptake behavior of individual submicron aerosol particles at an urban site and elucidated the potential impact on particle reactive uptake and heterogeneous reactions.
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