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 20 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 | 23 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 15 |
| Aromatic ring | 11 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 8 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 8 |
| Hydrogen bond | 7 |
| Methacrylate | 6 |
| Acetate | 6 |
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
-
confidence 0.9
coal
Guo 等 - 2014 - Impacts on Bitumite's Structure and Properties Dur DOI: 10.14233/ajchem.2014.17336 -
confidence 0.9
coal
Wen 等 - 2019 - EFFECT OF SURFACE OXIDATION IN AIR AND WATER ON HY DOI: 10.24425/ams.2019.126282 -
confidence 0.8
coal
Dong 等 - 2019 - Study on Pyrolysis Characteristics of Coal and Com DOI: 10.1155/2019/1032529 -
confidence 0.8
coal
Microanalysis of barkinite from Chinese coals of high volatile bituminous rank DOI: 10.1364/JOSA.12.000547 -
confidence 0.8
coal
Experimental research on the spontaneous combustion of Yangquan coal induced by electrochemical oxidation of pyrite DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04864-1 -
confidence 0.7
coal
Li 等 - 2003 - A new hydrogen bond in coal DOI: 10.1021/ef020169t -
confidence 0.7
coal
Dick 等 - 2017 - Impact of HNO3 Solution Treatment of South Brazil DOI: 10.21577/0103-5053.20160230 -
confidence 0.7
coal
Ketren 等 - 2019 - Investigation on Conversion Pathways in Degradativ DOI: 10.3390/en12030528 -
confidence 0.7
coal
Influences of Ash-Existing Environments and Coal Structures on CO2 Gasification Characteristics of Tri-High Coal DOI: 10.3390/pr8111367 -
confidence 0.6
coal
Wang 等 - 2011 - FTIR and C-13 NMR Investigation of Coal Component DOI: 10.1021/ef201196v
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