Analysis of Structural Heterogeneity in Low-Rank Coal and Its Pyrolyzed Char Using Multi-Point Scanning Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Understanding the changes in carbon structure during the mid–low-temperature pyrolysis of low-rank coal is important for efficient utilization. Raman spectroscopy is commonly used to analyze the structural order of carbonaceous materials, but traditional methods may overlook the heterogeneity of coal/char. This research explores the heterogeneity of char structure derived from low-rank coal at 700 °C through multi-point micro-Raman analysis. The analysis of parameters such as area (A), intensity (I), full width at half maximum (FWHM/W), and peak position (P) reveals that the carbon structure becomes less ordered as coal transforms into char due to the deposition of small molecules on the surface. The study emphasizes the benefits of multi-point detection for gaining in-depth insights into the structural evolution of carbonaceous materials. The increased standard deviation of Raman parameters indicates diverse structural characteristics resulting from pyrolysis at this temperature, which traditional methods may not capture effectively. The mapping method used in this research visually illustrates the distribution of carbon structures in the region.