Effects of alcoholic solvents on particle size distribution of e-cigarette aerosol

• Main Authors: WANG Shitai, JIN Yong, LI Ke
• Format: Article
• Language: zho
• Published: editorial office of Chinese Tobacco Society 2017-12-01
• Series: Zhongguo Yancao Xuebao
• Subjects: electronic cigarette; liquids; aerosol; particle size distribution; propanediol; glycerol
• Online Access: http://ycxb.tobacco.org.cn/EN/abstract/abstract1920.shtml

The aim of this study is to compare particle size distribution (PSD) of electronic cigarettes (E-cigarette) aerosol with different alcoholic solvents, including alcohol, n-propanol, n-butanol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, glycerol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG200), and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400). Effects of ratio of the most popular alcoholic solvents, propylene glycol and glycerol, in mixed liquid were also studied. Measurements were conducted by electrical low pressure impactor (ELPI) under same voltage during puffing. Results showed that: 1) The particle number concentration of alcohol, n-propanol, n-butanol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol showed a single peak curve with the range of 0.02-0.05μm, and the peak value was in the order: alcohol≤ n-propanol <n-butanol, ethylene glycol<1,2-propanediol<1,2-butanediol. 2) Glycerol and 1,2,4-butanetriol presented double peak pattern, in the 0.02-0.05μm and 0.1-1μm, respectively. 3) The PEG200 and PEG400 presented double peak too, in the range of 0.05-0.1μm and 0.1-1μm, respectively. 4) Large particle proportion increased when the number of hydroxy group increased from 1 to 3 in these routine alcohols. 5) Particle size diameters increased while number concentration decreased with higher ratio of glycerol in mixed liquid.