Identification of Natural Nearly or Nanoscale Particles in Bituminous Coal: An Important Form of Elements in Coal

Peng Zhang, Jing Lu, Lei Zuo, Yaqin Wang, Rui Liu (), Dongping Tao, Zhaoying Chen, Gang Tao and Kun Wang
Additional contact information
Peng Zhang: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
Jing Lu: Shandong Polytechnic College, Jining 272067, China
Lei Zuo: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
Yaqin Wang: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
Rui Liu: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
Dongping Tao: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
Zhaoying Chen: State Key Laboratory of Coal and Coalbed Methane Co-Production, Jincheng 048012, China
Gang Tao: School of Environment and Resource, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
Kun Wang: Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in nature and are also found in raw coal, which plays an irreplaceable role in the global economy. In this study, raw coal samples were obtained from Gaojiapu Coal Mine in Shanxi Province, China. The elementary composition of nanoparticles was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The structural and chemical characteristics of nanoparticles were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. Results revealed that there were multiple types of nanoparticles in the raw coal, such as S-, Ca-, Ba-, Ni-, Cr-, Si-, Sr-, and V-bearing nanoparticles. These nanoparticles exhibited various sizes and complex, irregular shapes. Our findings revealed that elemental nanoparticles occur in raw coal. These nanoparticles include celestite and barite nanoparticles. In addition, nanoparticles with Ni, Cr, and V in composition are also included in raw coal. These nanoparticles, which contain heavy metal elements, have great potential to harm the human body. Meanwhile, compared with the characteristics of nanoparticles produced by coal combustion, the nanoparticles in raw coal may be an important potential source of the nanoparticles produced by coal combustion.

Keywords: raw coal; natural nanoparticles; transmission electron microscopy; environmental effects; health threats (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/7/6276/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/7/6276/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:7:p:6276-:d:1117108

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().