Structural Modification of Humic Acids in a Barrier Discharge Plasma
摘要
The paper presents the results of the initiation of chemical transformations of humic acids (HAs) in a barrier discharge plasma. The HAs were treated with ammonia vapor in the presence of various gas atmospheres like ethylene, air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and mixtures with argon. A decrease in the number of paramagnetic centers after treatment of HAs in a barrier discharge was revealed using EPR spectroscopy, which indicated the recombination of free radicals in their structure. As revealed by IR spectroscopy, the intensity of an absorption band at 1383 cm–1 corresponding to the NO3 group increased when HAs were exposed to discharge plasma in air. When HAs were treated with ammonia vapor in an argon atmosphere, ammonium humate, which is completely soluble in water, was formed.