Infrared Spectrum Characteristics and Quantification of OH Groups in Coal

The KBr pellet press method for detecting the infrared spectrum of coal is one of the commonly used methods for analyzing the types and content of functional groups in coal. However, KBr crystalline water or moisture has a significant impact on the peak position, peak shape, and peak area of the organic O–H based stretching vibration wave in coal. In this paper, the theoretical characteristics of infrared spectra of phenols and alcohols have been simulated and analyzed using the Gaussian 16 series of programs. Four infrared spectral analysis techniques, in situ infrared, KBr pellet press, dry KBr pellet press, and paste methods, have been used to detect the infrared spectra of coal. The results show that the stretching vibration peaks of free O–H radicals without hydrogen bonding are located between 3700 and 3600 cm–1. After the O–H form hydrogen bonds with each other, the O–H stretching vibration frequency moves toward the low frequency direction, and the lower the wavenumber, the more O–H content. The conventional KBr gasket manufacturing process will absorb moisture in the air to interfere with the hydroxyl absorption peak of coal, and the experimental process requires absolute drying. The relative content of hydroxyl in coal can be compared and analyzed based on the peak position, peak shape, and peak area of the hydroxyl stretching vibration wave. Quantitative analysis of hydroxyl groups in coal also requires combination of elemental analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.