erais would be expected to act as catalysts in such reactions.5 Figure 3 shows the presence of 180 in molecular ions after mild oxidation while Figure 4 shows reactive oxygen species on the coal surface associated with mineral matter. These results would be expected if a free-radical mechanism is involved in low-temperature oxidation.
ConclusionsDetailed SIMS images can be obtained for ions differing in mass by as little as 1:3500.The uptake of 180 and molecular ions containing 180 can be successfully studied with SIMS after exposure of coal surfaces to an 1802 atmosphere at room temperature. XPS provides additional insights when used on coal surfaces nearly identical with those studied by SIMS.The SIMS results, while not in themselves definitive, provide circumstantial evidence for a free-radical oxidation (12) Cole, D. A.; Herman, R. G.; Simmons, G. W.; Klier, K. Fuel 1985, 64, 303. mechanism in which clay minerals act as catalysts. Indeed the generation of 18OH~and the presence of 180 on the surface are indicative of low-temperature oxidation while the detection of 03", 02", 180", and 18OH" in regions rich in clay is suggestive of catalytic activity. These suggestions have been made elsewhere in the literature.* 12