Electrochemical Characteristics of Particulate Matter

The current work is dedicated to electrochemical impedance spectra analysis of the fine and coarse airborne particulate matter sampled on the glass fibre filters in Riga city air. The cyclic voltammograms, impedance spectra and double layer capacitance spectra of particulate matter were obtained after the pre-treatment of samples. The equivalent circuit method and the statistical method were used for impedance spectra analysis. Analyzing the impedance spectra, it was concluded that the impedance of both - fine and coarse particles heated in N₂ flow does not change by aerosol mass concentration variations. On the other hand, the impedance of particulate matter heated in O₂ flow increases, by increasing PM₁₀ mass concentration. Describing the spectra of double layer capacitance, it was observed that the double layer capacitance of aerosols heated in N₂ flow did not change, by mass concentration and size variations. However, by increasing mass concentration of coarse aerosols heated in O₂ flow, the double layer capacitance reduced.