Rapid nanoparticle nucleation by dimethylamine injection in an argon plasma

While only present as a trace in the atmosphere, dimethylamine (DMA) is considered to play an important role in the aerosol formation by stabilizing sulfuric acid-water clusters1). In these preliminary tests, the ability of DMA to produce nanoparticles is studied in low-pressure plasma conditions. It appears that immediately after DMA injection in an argon plasma, a huge density of nanoparticles is produced.