Articles | Volume 26, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-9967-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-9967-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Characterizing efflorescence regimes in organic–inorganic aerosols using thermodynamically modeled viscosity
Shanshan Chen
State Key Laboratory of Environment Characteristics and Effects for Near-space, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
State Key Laboratory of Environment Characteristics and Effects for Near-space, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 1116024, China
Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Extreme Meteorology, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China
Shu-Feng Pang
State Key Laboratory of Environment Characteristics and Effects for Near-space, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
Pai Liu
State Key Laboratory of Environment Characteristics and Effects for Near-space, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
Yun-Hong Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Environment Characteristics and Effects for Near-space, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
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We evaluated how well a widely used air quality model simulates key properties of organic particles in the atmosphere, such as volatility and oxygen content, which influence how particles age, spread, and affect both air quality and climate. Using observations in eastern China, we found the model underestimated particle mass and misrepresented their properties. Our results highlight the need for improved emissions and chemical treatments to better predict air quality and climate impacts.
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Short summary
Atmospheric aerosol efflorescence strongly influences their growth, optical properties, and chemical reactivity. By combining thermodynamic viscosity modeling with literature-reported laboratory data, we develop a viscosity–humidity framework that defines empirical boundaries separating aqueous, efflorescence, and non-efflorescence regions. This framework provides quantitative constraints on aerosol phase-transition behavior across diverse organic–inorganic aerosol systems.
Atmospheric aerosol efflorescence strongly influences their growth, optical properties, and...
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