The effect of alginate composition on adsorption to calcium carbonate surfaces

Bacterial anchoring to limestone rocks is thought occur by selective adsorption of biomolecules found in the extracellular matrix, such as polysaccharides. Here we study adsorbed structure a model matrix polysaccharide, sodium alginate, at calcite/water interface using neutron reflection (NR). Sodium alginate was form highly hydrated layers extending up 350 Å into solution concentrations 2.5 ppm (the inflection point isotherm). The driven dissolution calcite surface through complexation free calcium ions. This shown two alginates with differing ratios sugar residues. Alginates higher proportion guluronic acid (G) have affinity for ions and were cause dissolve greater extent adsorb more when compared mannuronic (M). Adding magnesium high G reduced amount. In this work, that polysaccharide sparingly soluble interfaces closely related polymer conformation solution.