Soot particle morphology and nanostructure with oxygenated fuels: A comparative study into cold-start and hot-start operation

摘要

This study investigates the morphology and nanostructure of soot particles during cold-start and hotstart engine operation of a diesel engine using oxygenated fuels. The soot samples were analysed using transmission electron microscopy. The oxygen content in the fuel was varied between 0 and 12%. The results showed that the primary particles during cold-start have significantly smaller size when compared to hot-start engine operation. The addition of oxygenated fuels also resulted in smaller sized primary particles. Smaller radius of gyration and higher fractal dimension of soot aggregates during coldstart would mean smaller aggregate size with a more compact structure. Shorter fringes with a higher inter-fringe spacing for cold-start would mean lower graphitisation of soot particles that could be related to higher oxidation reactivity of soot particles. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.