Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

3-D structural modeling of humic acids through experimental characterization, computer assisted structure elucidation and atomistic simulations 1. Chelsea soil humic acid.

Journal Article · · Proposed for publication in Environmental Science and Technology.
OSTI ID:993893
 [1];  [2]; ;  [3];  [4];  [5];  [6]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
  2. Ohio State University
  3. University of Toronto
  4. - California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
  5. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
  6. Howard University

This paper describes an integrated experimental and computational framework for developing 3-D structural models for humic acids (HAs). This approach combines experimental characterization, computer assisted structure elucidation (CASE), and atomistic simulations to generate all 3-D structural models or a representative sample of these models consistent with the analytical data and bulk thermodynamic/structural properties of HAs. To illustrate this methodology, structural data derived from elemental analysis, diffuse reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy, 1-D/2-D {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C solution NMR spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI QqTOF MS) are employed as input to the CASE program SIGNATURE to generate all 3-D structural models for Chelsea soil humic acid (HA). These models are subsequently used as starting 3-D structures to carry out constant temperature-constant pressure molecular dynamics simulations to estimate their bulk densities and Hildebrand solubility parameters. Surprisingly, only a few model isomers are found to exhibit molecular compositions and bulk thermodynamic properties consistent with the experimental data. The simulated {sup 13}C NMR spectrum of an equimolar mixture of these model isomers compares favorably with the measured spectrum of Chelsea soil HA.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
993893
Report Number(s):
SAND2003-2501J
Journal Information:
Proposed for publication in Environmental Science and Technology., Journal Name: Proposed for publication in Environmental Science and Technology. Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 37; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English