Dielectric spectroscopy of aqueous solution of fulvic acids

Abstract

The complex dielectric spectrum of aqueous solutions (10% w/w) of fulvic and polymaleic acids has been measured at various frequencies between 1 MHz and 40 GHz. Similar to pure water a dispersion/dielectric loss region emerges in the range above 1 GHz. The measured spectra have been analytically represented by the empirical Cole-Cole relaxation spectral function to yield values for the extrapolated high- and low-frequency permittivity, the principal dielectric relaxation time, the relaxation time distribution parameter and the specific electric d.c. conductivity. In correspondence with aqueous solutions of synthetic organic molecules, the low-frequency permittivity of the fulvic acid/water mixtures is reduced, and the principal dielectric relaxation time is enhanced with respect to the pure water value. As with solutions of polyacrylic acid no solute contributions to the real part of the dielectric spectrum are found.