GC/MS and FTIR Analyses of the Extracts from an Indonesia Natural Asphalt

Abstract

An Indonesia natural asphalt was ultrasonically extracted with acetone and carbon disulfide to afford acetone-soluble fraction (F1), carbon disulfide-soluble fraction (F2) and residue (i.e., carbon disulfide-insoluble fraction, R2). F1 was analyzed with GC/MS and all the fractions were analyzed with FTIR. The results show that F1 is rich in hetero atomic compounds (HACs), 2-methyl alkanes (2-MAs) and phthalic acid esters (PAEs). The 2-MAs are a class of important biomarkers, in which the main peak carbons are C24 and C18. According to the proximate analyse, there is a sharply high content of ash (42.62%), which could be responsible for the increase in the yields of R2 in the natural asphalt. By FTIR analysis, the nitrogen- and oxygen-containing compounds, branched alkanes and esters (or lactones, etc.) are important components for the Indonesia natural asphalt.