Surface chemistry of atmospheric nanoparticles during a haze episode in Beijing by TOF-SIMS

The atmospheric aerosol particles have a potential heavy burden on environment, climate, and human health, which were closely related to the surface physicochemical properties. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) technique is powerful tool obtain detailed chemical information since it has high sensitivity for both elements molecular ions, resolution. In this work, size-fractioned in range of 0.43–10 µm during severe haze episode Beijing analyzed by TOF-SIMS, variation characteristics species corresponding particle size air pollution level was investigated normalization intensities, possible sources identified through principal component analysis (PCA), influence meteorological factors transmission also investigated. study results showed that components PM2.5 more complicated than clean days. A total 17 organic inorganic detected, including crustal elements, metals, sulfate, nitrate, siliceous compounds, hydrocarbons, oxygen-containing organics, nitrogen-containing organics. general, mainly contained carbon-containing inorganics. Organic ions significantly increased heavy-polluted days, indicating aging process particles. Inorganic compounds had higher percentage coarse mode, while accumulation mode. PCA indicated urban came from vehicle emissions (24.7%), coal-fired combustion (22.4%), (19.3%), dust resuspension (19.6%). northern could facilitate dilution pollutants with formed decreased.