Analysis of sub-micron mineral matter in coal via scanning transmission electron microscopy

The fine-scale mineral matter in three US coals has been analysed via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The samples observed were a North Dakota lignite, a Kentucky bituminous, and a Pennsylvania semi-anthracite. Specific mineral types, differing among the three coals examined, appear to predominate at this fine size scale (particles ? 200 nm in diameter). Fe-rich and Ba-rich minerals in the lignite, a Ti-rich mineral in the bituminous and Ca-rich and Ti-rich minerals in the semianthracite were the predominant species found. The inherent mineral content in the observed organic background also differed from coal to coal. The distributions of mineral species in the size range ? 200 nm reported herein do not reflect the distributions in the larger size ranges obtained by more macroscopic techniques.