Detecting supramolecular organic nanoparticles during heat wave

Science 2026 Open access

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Authors: Renyi Zhang, Yixin Li, Jiayun Zhao, Bianca P. Aridjis-Olivos, Lijun Zhao, Veronica Kowalewski, Maisha Kabir, Natalie M. Johnson, Erik R. Nielsen, Sarah D. Brooks, Yue Zhang, Arnold Vedlitz
+7 more Weston W. Porter, Simon W. North, Wanhe Li, Michael W. Young, John H. Seinfeld, Yuhan Wang, Yuan Wang
DOI: 10.1126/science.ady5192
Cited by: 5
References: 80

Abstract

New particle formation (NPF) represents a major source of tropospheric fine aerosols. A common viewpoint is that NPF hinges thermodynamically on the volatility of condensing species and is unfavorable at high temperatures. From an intensive field campaign, we observed frequent NPF events during a heat wave. Size-resolved chemical composition of nanoparticles down to 3 nanometers was first measured, unraveling a dominant presence of carboxylic acids. Our work uncovers a spontaneous mechanism to produce supramolecular nanoparticles through self-assembly of organic acids. This discovery explains not only the unexpected NPF at high temperatures but also its ubiquitous occurrence under diverse atmospheric conditions. As global warming leads to more frequent and intense heat waves, our findings open avenues for assessing the impacts of aerosols on cloud formation, public health, and climate.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols Air Quality and Health Impacts Atmospheric aerosols and clouds

Publication details

Journal / source
Science
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Volume
391
Issue
6786
Pages
eady5192–eady5192
Publication date
12 February 2026
Language
EN