How can you identify coal from FTIR?
This page summarizes the recurring FTIR evidence reported for coal, including the most frequent peaks, supporting functional groups, and literature-backed interpretation patterns. It is a structured evidence page, not a claim of automatic single-spectrum certainty.
Backed by 12 cited sources
Quick answer
coal is usually reported with a recurring pattern of peaks and functional-group evidence. The most useful approach is to cross-check at least two characteristic peaks before treating it as a match, then verify whether the full spectrum still fits the same material family.
Peak interpretation
Possible materials / groups
| Functional group | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Alkyl C-H | 5 |
| Aromatic ring | 4 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 4 |
| Ring structure | 3 |
| Hydrogen bond | 3 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 2 |
| Silicon-oxygen (Si-O) | 2 |
| Water (H2O) | 1 |
Spectrum logic
The logic here is evidence aggregation: repeated literature mentions of coal, repeated peak positions, and repeated functional-group associations. A strong material hypothesis should still be supported by multiple peaks that agree with each other, not by one headline band alone.
Real-world usage
This page is designed for polymer identification, incoming-material QC, unknown plastic analysis, recycled-content review, and literature-backed interpretation of reference spectra.
Common mistakes
- Calling a material match too early because one famous peak is present.
- Ignoring sample prep, fillers, oxidation, water, or additives that can change the apparent pattern.
- Using literature evidence without checking whether your own sampling mode and spectrum quality are comparable.
Verification advice
Use DSC, GC-MS, or TGA to validate the material hypothesis when the peak pattern is ambiguous or mixed.
Literature behind this page
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confidence 0.9
coal
Experimental study on the influence of water immersion on spontaneous combustion of anthracite with high concentrations of sulfur-bearing minerals DOI: 10.1007/s10973-019-09073-z -
confidence 0.8
coal
Characterization of chemical functional groups in macerals across different coal ranks via micro-FTIR spectroscopy DOI: 10.1016/j.coal.2012.09.001 -
confidence 0.8
coal
Study on Pyrolysis Characteristics of Coal and Combustion Gas Release in Inert Environment DOI: 10.1155/2019/1032529 -
confidence 0.8
coal
Mastalerz 等 - 2015 - Microanalysis of barkinite from Chinese coals of h DOI: 10.1364/JOSA.12.000547 -
confidence 0.7
coal
Li 等 - 2003 - A new hydrogen bond in coal DOI: 10.1021/ef020169t -
coal
Characterization of coalification jumps during high rank coal chemical structure evolution DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2016.07.121 -
coal
Effect on Combustion Properties of Coal Treated by Microwave Irradiation Combined with Sodium Hydroxide Solution DOI: 10.3390/pr9081284 -
coal
Study on the Microscopic Mechanism of Spontaneous Combustion and Oxidation Kinetics of Water-Leached Coal DOI: 10.1155/2021/5564290 -
coal
The effect of NaOH pretreatment on coal structure and biomethane production DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231623 -
coal
HRTEM Analysis of the Influence of Non-stick Coal’s Oxidation Degree on Aromatic Fringe Morphology DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02766
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