Characterization of carbon particulate matter relevant in combustion

The complexity of carbon particulate matter produced from combustion of hydrocarbon fuels requires for its complete characterization a wide array of diagnostic tools specific for the determination of structure, size and chemical composition. All these characteristics are important in relation to the source and evolution in combustion and atmospheric aerosols and to the environmental impact of the carbon particulate matter emitted from combustion processes. The contribution of combustion-derived particulate matter to the atmospheric aerosol is particularly relevant in the range of fine (<2.5?m) and ultrafme (<100nm) size range that is indicated as the most dangerous for human health. In this paper the main characteristics of fine and ultrafme carbon particulate matter produced in controlled combustion conditions and sampled by using batch sampling techniques are reported and the analytical approach used by our group has been briefly reviewed. Advantages and limitation of the techniques more recently developed have been analyzed, for building and resolving the analytical puzzle represented by carbon particulate matter characterization.