Articles | Volume 26, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-769-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-769-2026
Research article
 | 
15 Jan 2026
Research article |  | 15 Jan 2026

New insight into the formation and aging processes of organic aerosol from positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of ambient FIGAERO-CIMS thermograms

Mingfu Cai, Bin Yuan, Weiwei Hu, Ye Chenshuo, Shan Huang, Suxia Yang, Wei Chen, Yuwen Peng, Zhaoxiong Deng, Jun Zhao, Duohong Chen, Jiaren Sun, and Min Shao

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This study investigates how the formation and aging processes of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) influence the evolution of SOA volatility in downwind regions. Our results reveal that elevated NOₓ levels enhanced the daytime SOA volatility by modifying gas-particle partitioning, particularly through suppressing the production of low-volatility organic vapors. In contrast, photochemical aging was associated with reduced SOA volatility.
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