Application of a quartz crystal microbalance to measure the mass concentration of combustion particle suspensions. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaur, Kamaljeet; Mohammadpour, Raziye; Jaramillo, Isabel C.; Ghandehari, Hamidreza; Reilly, Christopher; Paine, Robert; Kelly, Kerry E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aerosol science. Volume 137(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Quartz crystal microbalance -- Combustion particles -- Dosimetry -- Nanoparticles -- Particle suspensions; Aerosols -- Periodicals; Aerosols -- Periodicals; Aérosols -- Périodiques; 541.34515
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2019.105445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8502

Abstract

Abstract: Researchers studying the biological effects of combustion particles typically rely on suspending particles in de-ionized (DI) water, buffer, and/or media prior to in vitro or in vivo experiments. However, the hydrophobic nature of combustion particles makes it difficult to obtain well-suspended, evenly dispersed mixtures, which also makes it difficult to obtain equivalent dosing and endpoint comparisons. This study explored the use of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to measure the mass concentration of combustion particle suspensions. It compared the QCM mass concentration to that estimated by placing a known mass of combustion particles in DI water. It also evaluated the effect of drop volume and combustion particle type on QCM measurements. The results showed that QCM is a promising direct method for measuring suspended combustion particle mass concentrations, and it is particularly effective for quantifying concentrations of difficult-to-suspend particles and for combustion particles placed in polystyrene containers, which can lead to substantial particle losses. Highlights: QCM allows precise mass concentration measurements of combustion particle suspensions. Substantial particle loss can occur due to particle-wall interactions. QCM allows estimation of dissolved organic fraction of a suspension.