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How do power stations and internal-combustion vehicles release nanoparticles?

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Gold and palladium alloy nanoparticles — nanoparticle Image showing nanoparticles of an alloy of gold (yellow) and palladium (blue) on an acid-treated carbon support (gray). These particles were employed as catalysts for the formation of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen (white) and oxygen (red).

Power stations and internal-combustion vehicles are significant sources of anthropogenic nanoparticles, which are emitted through various mechanical and chemical processes.1

Internal-Combustion Vehicles

Vehicles release a variety of nanoparticles into the environment through both exhaust emissions and mechanical wear:1
* Exhaust: Engines emit partially burned hydrocarbons in the form of soot, as well as ceria (cerium oxide) originating from exhaust catalysts.1
* Mechanical Wear: The operation of vehicles generates metallic dust from brake linings, silica from car tires, and calcium carbonate derived from engine lubricating oils.1

Power Stations

Power stations, particularly those fueled by fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, are major contributors to nanoparticle pollution. These facilities generate fine particulates (PM $_{2.5}$ ) directly through combustion processes. Additionally, they are responsible for the formation of secondary particulates—particles that form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions involving gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emitted by the plants.12

While these human-made emissions are a concern for public health and air quality, they represent a smaller fraction of total environmental nanoparticles compared to those produced by natural processes, such as volcanic activity and sea salt aerosols.1