Water adsorption around oxalic acid aggregates: a molecular dynamics simulation of water nucleation on organic aerosols

The phase behaviour of binary oxalic acid-water mixtures has been investigated by means of computer simulation techniques. Such mixtures play an important role in atmospheric processes, since the hydrogen bonding ability of oxalic acid molecules allows them to form aerosol particles. Water can in turn be readily adsorbed on the surface of such aerosol particles, which results in the formation of small ice grains. These grains are thus considered to be acting as cloud condensation nuclei, giving rise to the formation of ice clouds.