Aspects of protonation and deprotonation of humic acid surface on molecular conformation

Abstract

The surface charge densities for humic acids (HAs) were determined by simultaneous potentiometric and conductimetric titrations. It was also observed the pH influence on molecular conformation by UV-Vis spectroscopy measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The surface charge densities are approximately zero at the pH range 3.5 to 6.0 for all samples. The pH influence on molecular condensation level was observed by the determination of the β index form Doty and Steiner equation. High values of β were obtained at acid region indicating a condensed conformation due to weak attractive interactions whereas around the neutral region the repulsive intramolecular forces take place leading to an extended conformation of humic molecules. Moreover, at very alkaline region, the charge density on molecule surface is more negative, increasing repulsion and dispersion of the particles and also takes place formation of micelle-like structure because of the amphyphylic feature of HA samples. © 2011 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.