The structural parameters of six
coals were determined by X-ray
diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Raman and
FTIR spectroscopy. The results reveal that the derivative coals prepared
by calcination and HF acidification contain much crystalline carbon
like graphite structure and are improved significantly in aromaticity,
coal rank, and hydroxyl concentration. The increase of hydroxyl (OH)
bonds is very beneficial to the surface modification of coal crystalline
layers. In addition, the derivative coals have an obvious decrease
of the aliphatic C–H content and a significant increase of
the aromatic C–H content in FTIR spectra compared to that for
the raw coal (AY). They are consistent with the changes of aromaticity
and crystalline carbon measured by XRD and Raman spectra. With the
increase of coal rank, the content of defect crystalline carbon and
amorphous carbon decreases gradually from AY to the coal prepared
by calcination and HF acidification (AY-C-HF). The particles of AY-C-HF
with about 20 nm in thickness have better dispersibility with simultaneously
a lot of pore space. The process of first calcination and then acidification
can help us delaminate the aromatic layers in the coals and obtain
the superfine crystalline carbon materials like graphite structure.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.