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Effect of Aerosol Size on Glass Transition Temperature


Abstract The amorphous phase state of suspended nanoparticles affects their atmospheric lifetimes and environmental impact. Influence of relative humidity and chemical composition on the glass-to-liquid transition is well-known. However, the influence of the particle size on the phase transition remains uncertain. Here we show experimental data that probe the amorphous phase transition of suspended sucrose particles as a function of particle size. The depression in glass-transition temperature follows the Gibbs–Thomson or Keesom-Laplace predicted proportionality of ΔTg ∝ D–1 for particles 100–700 nm in diameter, but the proportionality changes to ΔTg ∝ D–1/2 for smaller sizes. Literature data for glass-transition temperature depression in thin films and nanoconfined compounds show similar and strong deviations from the expected D–1 behavior. While the observed proportionalities remain incompletely understood, the results here provide evidence that the deviation from ΔTg ∝ D–1 is not attributable to substrate effects.
Authors Sunandan Mahant ORCID , Jefferson R. Snider University of WyomingORCID , Sarah S. Petters ORCID , Markus D. Petters ORCID
Journal Info American Chemical Society | The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters , vol: 15 , iss: 29 , pages: 7509 - 7515
Publication Date 7/17/2024
ISSN 1948-7185
TypeKeyword Image article
Open Access hybrid Hybrid Access
DOI https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01415
KeywordsKeyword Image