Nanoscale spectroscopic and mechanical characterization of individual aerosol particles using peak force infrared microscopy.

Atmospheric aerosol particles of sizes less than 2.5 microns affect public health in cities. Understanding the fine structures of aerosol particles is important to decipher their source. Here, we use a novel spectroscopic and mechanical microscopy technique of 10 nm spatial resolution to reveal the nanoscale structures of individual aerosol particles.