Characterisation of an algerian asphaltene by 1H and 13C CPMAS NMR, DEPT and ESI mass spectroscopy

• Main Authors: A.C. Djendara, Y. Bouhadda, T. Fergoug, M. Djabeur, A. Bellil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-06-01
• Series: Egyptian Journal of Petroleum
• Subjects: Asphaltene; Liquid and solid NMR; DEPT; Electro spray ionization spectroscopy; Structural characterization
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110062121000039

Quantitative liquid 1H and solid 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy were used in combination with qualitative DEPT (Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer) and liquid 13C NMR to investigate the molecular structural parameters of an Algerian asphaltenes. The molecular weight of the asphaltene ionisable species determined by positive Electro Spray Ionization mass spectrometry ESI was around 390 Da. The results indicate that the representative molecular structure of the asphaltenes contains PAH (Poly-aromatic hydrocarbon) core of 4–5 rings. The combination of 13C NMR/DEPT constitutes a good route for characterizing the chemical functions of asphaltenes.