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Humic acid as a colloidal surfactant

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Abstract

The Na+-humate sol is studied as a surface active substance (surfactant) capable of lowering the surface tension of water, and of spreading on the water surface with observable velocity to form a thin film. Based on these properties, it is concluded that sol should contain molecules of intermediate molecular weight as well as their associates (micelles) whose weight depends on the number of molecules in the micelles.

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Author notes

  1. M. Tschapek

    Present address: , Casilla de Correo 30, Sucursal 19, 1419, Buenos Aires

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Council, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    M. Tschapek, C. Wasowski & R. M. Torres Sánchez

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  1. M. Tschapek
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  2. C. Wasowski
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  3. R. M. Torres Sánchez
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Tschapek, M., Wasowski, C. & Sánchez, R.M.T. Humic acid as a colloidal surfactant. Plant Soil 63, 261–271 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374604

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374604

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