Collection and characterization of aerosol particles

Abstract Aerosol particles play a vital role in air quality monitoring, climate change, and human health. The collection and characterization of aerosol particles are essential for analysing their physical and chemical properties, which serve as key indicators. This review discusses both traditional aerosol collection techniques, such as electrostatic precipitation and filtration, and newer methods like liquid impingers, centrifugation and acoustic collection, each optimized for different particle sizes. It also covers advanced characterization techniques, including laser light scattering, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, light detection and ranging, infrared spectroscopy, and optical tweezers, which provide high-precision data on aerosol particle size, composition, and optical properties. These techniques have become indispensable for advancing aerosol research and environmental monitoring. The review highlights the advantages and limitations of various methods and discusses the ongoing technological advancements and integrated solutions that combine multiple collection and characterization approaches. Finally, it provides insights into the future directions and challenges in aerosol research and its applications.