Chemical Differences in Environmental Films Collected on Surfaces with Different Hydrophilicity

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Abstract
Environmental films form when airborne particles and molecular species adsorb on solid surfaces. Recent studies have characterized these films but overlook how collection methods and host-surface character (orientation, chemical functionality, or height) change the deposition process. In this work, environmental films are collected at a rural location on gold and silicon surfaces (water contact angles of ca. 57° and 5 μm) particles have similar elemental compositions. Minor variations are observed at smaller particle sizes (∼5 μm), which include carbon-rich particles primarily attributed to pollen or biotic activity. Chemical analysis shows the presence of nitrate and sulfate, as well as heterogeneous cation pools on the surfaces.
Funding Information
  • Army Research Office (71600CH)
  • U.S. Department of Energy

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