Computer-controlled scanning electron microscope: Methodologies and application scenarios in atmospheric particle research

Wenjun Li; Longyi Shao; Hong Geng; Gary S Casuccio; Jian Gao

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163651

Computer-controlled scanning electron microscope: Methodologies and application scenarios in atmospheric particle research

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Aug 10:885:163651. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163651. Epub 2023 Apr 23.

Authors

Wenjun Li¹, Longyi Shao², Hong Geng³, Gary S Casuccio⁴, Jian Gao⁵

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
³ Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
⁴ RJ Lee Group, Inc, Pittsburgh, PA 15239, USA.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China. Electronic address: gaojian@craes.org.cn.

PMID: 37088386
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163651

Abstract

Understanding the physicochemical properties of atmospheric particles and the refined source apportionment become a vital foundation for targeted control of air pollution. The rapid development of the computer-controlled scanning electron microscope (CCSEM) provides a new era for atmospheric particle research by improving the efficiency of individual particle analysis. This study summarized the methodologies for CCSEM-based individual particle analysis and introduced the principle, characteristics, and development of CCSEM. The application scenarios of CCSEM in the field of air quality assessment, health assessment, and climate effects of atmospheric particles were reviewed. CCSEM has a great application prospect in the refined particle source apportionment, health effect assessment, and particle source spectrum database establishment. Much attention should be paid to the establishment of a well-developed methodology system for CCSEM, including particle identification, classification method and standardization, quantitative source appointment method establishment, and analysis timeliness enhancement.

Keywords: Air pollution; CCSEM; Individual particle analysis; Physicochemical property; Refined source apportionment.

Publication types

Review