Hygroscopic properties of carbon and diesel soot particles

Laboratory experiments were performed in order to study the hygroscopic properties of freshly produced carbon and diesel soot particles at subsaturations (i.e. at relative humidity < 100%). Wetted carbon aggregates collapsed to a more compact structure. In contrast, the diesel combustion particles exhibited a much smaller restructuring combined with condensational growth. The hygroscopicity of the diesel particles was enhanced when the sulfur content of the fuel was increased or when the particles were subjected to an ozone and UV pre-treatment. By extrapolating the data with a Köhler model critical supersaturations were calculated. Freshly emitted combustion particles are unlikely to act as cloud condensation nuclei whereas an aging of the particles will enhance their nucleation ability.