Interaction of Humic Acids with Naphthalene

The interaction of humic acids (HAs) isolated from oxidized brown coal with the polyaromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene has been studied. The electron-donating properties of HAs were evaluated based on the intensity of electronic transitions in the UV region and calculated descriptors. The modification of the HA structure was carried out by mechanical activation (MA) under alkaline and oxidative conditions. A significant increase in the fraction of aromatic and oxidized fragments in the HA structure after MA under oxidative conditions increased the intensity of binding HAs to naphthalene. A significant increase in the adsorption capacity of mechanically activated HAs in a dispersive aqueous medium with naphthalene was demonstrated.