Conformational changes in polyelectrolytes and the effect on metal binding

Conference · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6597558

Marley, N A; Gaffney, J S; Minai, Y; Choppin, G R

There has been considerable interest in the complexation of metals and other cations by natural humic and fulvic acids, as well as synthetic polyelectrolytes. In order to explain the binding observed for metals, and other species by organic polyelectrolytes, steric effects have been proposed. In this work, the effects of pH changes in aqueous solution on two synthetic polyelectrolytes, polymaleic acid (PMA) and polyacrylic acid (PAA), have been examined by laser Raman spectroscopy and turbidity measurements. These results are compared to Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and (/sup 13/C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra for solid samples of PMA, PAA, and fulvic and humic acids. Two types of carboxylic acid groups were detected for PMA in aqueous solution. Crystallization of PMA in a narrow pH range was observed. These data are consistent with strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding occurring in PMA at a pH of approximately 4. This implication of these results on the use of these compounds as models for fulvic and humic acids is discussed. 27 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6597558
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-88-3687; CONF-880912-18; ON: DE89003474
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHELATING AGENTS
CHEMICAL BONDS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CRYSTALLIZATION
DICARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROLYTES
ESTERS
FULVIC ACIDS
HUMIC ACIDS
INFRARED SPECTRA
KINETICS
MALEIC ACID
MIXTURES
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
NMR SPECTRA
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PH VALUE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POLYACRYLATES
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
REACTION KINETICS
SOLUTIONS
SPECTRA
TURBIDITY