Characterization of carbonaceous solids by oxygen chemisorption

Oxygen chemisorption of high and low carbon carbonaceous solids was measured in an electro-microbalance at 200 °C in air. A linear correlation between the amount of chemisorbed oxygen and H C ratio as well as aromaticity was established for the high carbon solids. For the low carbon solids a linear correlation was established between the amount of chemisorbed oxygen and the content of organic matter. Experimental observations are discussed in terms of structural aspects of the solids. Oxygen chemisorption is a suitable technique for a rapid characterization of carbonaceous solids including coal.