Photostimulated Aggregation of Metal Aerosols

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that optical radiation accelerates metal aerosol aggregation by inducing size-dependent photoelectron effects, leading to faster aggregation rates through electrostatic interactions and Van-der-Waals forces.

Contribution

It reveals how light exposure enhances metal aerosol aggregation via photoelectron-induced heteropolar charging, a novel insight into aerosol dynamics.

Findings

Light accelerates metal aerosol aggregation up to 100 times.

Size-dependent photoelectron effects cause heteropolar charging.

Electrostatic forces promote closer particle interactions.

Abstract

The effect of optical radiation on the rate of aggregation of nanoscopic particles is studied in metal aerosols. It has been shown that under light exposure, polydisperse metal aerosols can aggregate up to two orders faster due to the size dependent photoelectron effect from nanoparticles. Different size nanoparticles undergo mutual heteropolar charging when exchanging photoelectrons through the interparticle medium to result in an increased rate of aggregation. It is shown that long-range electrostatic attractive forces drive the particles into closer distances where the short-range Van-der-Waals forces become dominating. Attention is drawn to the fact that this effect may occur in various types of dispersed systems as well as in natural heteroaerosols.