Inorganic solids, radiation chemistry

The radiation chemistry of inorganic solids may be regarded as a branch of solid-state physics to which subject it has made substantial contribution (Grigoriev and Traktenberg 1996). The study of radiation effects in solids is of vital importance for nuclear technology, and also relevant to several other fields, e.g., semiconductor technology. The irradiation effect in polymers is discussed in O Sect. 23.9.2. 

Atmospheric aerosols have a direct impact on earth s radiation balance, fog formation and cloud physics, and visibility degradation as well as human health effect[l]. Both natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to the formation of ambient aerosol, which are composed mostly of sulfates, nitrates and ammoniums in either pure or mixed forms[2]. These inorganic salt aerosols are hygroscopic by nature and exhibit the properties of deliquescence and efflorescence in humid air. That is, relative humidity(RH) history and chemical composition determine whether atmospheric aerosols are liquid or solid. Aerosol physical state affects climate and environmental phenomena such as radiative transfer, visibility, and heterogeneous chemistry. Here we present a mathematical model that considers the relative humidity history and chemical composition dependence of deliquescence and efflorescence for describing the dynamic and transport behavior of ambient aerosols[3]. 

---