Investigating properties of synthetic analogues for ice nucleating particles

Atmospheric aerosol particles have been known for the large variability in their ice nucleating propensities as well as their physico-chemical properties. This complexity creates challenges in linking observed particle properties with their ice nucleating activity. In this study, we present results for simple synthetic particle analogues and contrast them with more complex ambient samples that consistently show higher ice nucleation activities. In particular, we focus on analogues for carbonaceous particles and dust. Soot particles have been known to show only limited ice nucleation activity in immersion freezing mode. In this study, we use carbonaceous particles as an experimental platform to explore which surface modifications can lead to a substantial change in ice nucleation propensities. Additionally, we contrast these results with binary systems that mimic the properties of ambient dust particles.