Spectroscopic study of humic acids fractionated by means of tangential ultrafiltration

Different chemical and spectroscopic techniques- diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and H-1, C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) have been applied to investigate a peat humic acid (HA) separated by tangential ultrafiltration into different nominal molecular weight (NMW) fractions. Each fraction analyzed showed a characteristic DRIFT and NMR pattern. High nominal molecular weight fractions were mainly characterized by long chains of methyl and methylene groups and poorly substituted aromatic rings, while in low nominal molecular weight fractions (L-NMW), phenolic and oxygen-containing groups were predominant. A comparative study on fractions before and after treatment with 0.5 M HCl was carried out. Purified fractions showed either an increase in the carboxylate and phenolic OH groups or an improvement in signal-to-noise ratio of their NMR spectra. The SERS study of NMW fractions allowed significative information on structure and conformation of these fractions. In particular, L-NMW fractions showed a great structural modification, when different alkaline extractants or treatment with HCl were used. Humic-like substances obtained by catechol and gallic acid polymerization on metal surface were investigated using SERS. The SERS spectra of these polymers were compared and discussed with those of NMW HA fractions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.