For geochemical purposes, complex aluminum compounds in coal organic matter in different types of coal were identified by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of <sup>27</sup>Al. Low ash samples of anthracites, bituminous coals and altered coals from the Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine, China and Australia were tested; further, low ash lignite and xylite from the Czech Republic and gagatite from Poland were analyzed. In acquired <sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectra, two significant peaks at chemical shifts were recorded, at 3.5 - 4 and 13.5 - 15 ppm. It was found that the significant peak at chemical shift at 3.5 - 4 ppm in spectra of bituminous coals, lignite, gagatite and a thermally weakly altered coal corresponds to that obtained for triaquo-hydroxo-diphenoxido-Aluminum(III) complex. The existence of triaquo-triphenoxido-Aluminum(III) complex in the spec- tra of anthracites, some bituminous coals and another thermally altered coal can be approved by the chemical shift at 13.5 - 15 ppm. These findings indicate that at least two different Al complexes were identified in coal organic matter. Further it was found that these complexes are concentrated in vitrinite fraction (alicyclic-aromatic part of coal), notably in collotelinite (gelified and homogenous vitrinite constituent). Ways of Al complexes formation in coal are suggested and their thermal stability is discussed.
Aluminum Complex <sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR Coal Lignite Altered Coal1. Introduction
Complexes in coal are among the least investigated compounds, despite the fact that their study could lead to the discovery of entirely new complex compounds and to an increase in knowledge about coal composition, especially for geochemical purposes. In our case, attention was paid to Al complexes, since Al is capable of forming strong complexes and its concentration in bituminous coal and lignite is often quite high (0.5% - 1%). Until now, attention has been paid to Al in coal clays, e.g. in the works Howarth et al. [1] ; Komarneni [2] ; Thompson and Botto [3] , but only exceptionally [4] an investigation of Al in coal organic matter has been carried out.
Al can create a range of complexes with inorganic ligands, compounds with hydrocarbons [5] , undefined complexes with alcohol, ether and ketone groups [6] , compounds of a complex nature such as Al phenoxide and Al salicylate [7] , as well as complexes of organic acids such as phenolic, chlorogenic, gallic, citric, malic and oxalic [8] . Further, OH-Al-humate and OH-Al-humate-montmorillonite complexes have been prepared and conditions for their formation reported [9] . An extensive overview of the forms of the occurrence of elements in coal [10] reports additional unspecified complex compounds in the case of Be, Cu, Ge, U and W, as well as possible porphyrin complexes with a central atom Ga, Mn, Ni and V. No examples of the occurrence of Al complexes were discussed, although mellite, present in coal, and its likely association with Al was mentioned. This association was further investigated; according to Klika and Kolomazník [11] , Al is one of the elements with significant affinity for organic matter in coal. The occurrence of Al complexes with organic ligands is therefore likely. In this connection, the question of bonding arises. Bonding between humic acids and Al in clays was studied with salicylic acid as a model compound [7] . The mechanisms of bonding and the linkages between salicylate anions and Al3+ octahedra at illite clay edges were therefore investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; molecular orbital calculations were performed, too. On this basis, the authors suggested that covalent Al-O-C linkages form between salicylate anions and Al3+ octahedra. In the context of humic substance formation, the covalent Al-O-C linkages in the Al intermediate complexes were also suggested as an explanation for the catalysis by hydroxyl-aluminosilicate ions during catechol humification [12] . Jehlička and Edwards [13] studied organic components in the geological record using Raman spectroscopy and obtained information about the organic environment of Al3+ ions. Furthermore, FTIR spectroscopy was used for an investigation of the ligands in hexa- and tetra-coordinated Al in altered coal and low temperature coal ash [14] [15] . Thompson and Botto [3] conducted MAS NMR experiments on coal and concluded that correlations of tetrahedral Al content with coal rank arise assuming that contribution from organo-chelated Al species is taken into account.
In terms of methods, 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (27Al MAS NMR) spectroscopy is sensitive to the local environment of central Al atoms [16] [17] . When dealing with quadrupolar nuclei, such as 27Al, the peak position does not correspond to the true isotropic chemical shift, due to second-order quadrupole effect. To get the true isotropic chemical shift, it would be necessary to use multiple-field NMR measurements, lineshape fitting or other more complex methods [18] - [20] . Only if the quadrupole coupling is negligible, the peak position can be identified with the isotropic chemical shift. Therefore, in our case, the significant peaks at chemical shifts were observed (peak shifts). Local Al environments had been extensively studied using 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopy [1] [21] - [23] , but the method had not been reported as being suitable for the identification of Al complexes in coal until quite recently, in the work [24] . In this work, 2-methoxyethanol extracts obtained from the Ostrava-Karviná (Czech Rep.) bituminous coal and from the North Bohemian (Czech Rep.) lignite were investigated. It was found that the significant peak at chemical shift at 14 - 15 ppm corresponds to that obtained for a phenoxido-Aluminum(III) complex with Al hexa-coordinated with oxygen (14.2 ppm). The work [3] shows that 27Al MAS NMR method is applicable for identification of Al complexes in coal, but mineralogical analysis is necessary. From this work it follows that only low ash samples of coal can be used for Al complexes investigations, because such samples contain large amount of organic matter of coal and, probably, also larger amounts of Al of complexes with organic ligands are present.
The aim of this work is to identify and characterize Al complexes in coal (anthracite, bituminous coal, altered coal, lignite and xylite) and assess their thermal stability, both for solving some geochemical issues and outstanding questions of temperature conditions of coal formation [25] . The essence is that, probably, the relevant Al complexes are thermally not very stable; therefore, coals containing them were formed under very mild thermal conditions―otherwise the Al complexes decomposed or transformed.
For such a study, a choice of standard Al compounds and complexes is important. Aluminum phenoxide was chosen as a stable compound containing phenoxide anions and with a possible complex structure [26] ; other reference complexes were selected on the basis of work by Nagata et al. [8] , Chen et al. [27] and Straka [15] .
Compared with an organo-clay complexes [28] , the thermal stability of other Al complexes has been studied very few. Zachariáš and Pešek [29] mentioned the stability of Al complexes considered in coal up to temperature of 85˚C - 5˚C; Rosca et al. [30] found the thermal stability of some Al complexes with β-diketones mainly up to 91˚C - 155˚C (at a heating rate 5˚C/min). In our experience the Al complexes with phenoxide ligands begin to decompose at temperatures 105˚C - 125˚C. It can be estimated that their thermal stability is not very high. Therefore, an appropriate attention was paid to this issue.
In this work, possibilities of formation of Al complexes in coal are discussed, too. On the basis of the data presented by Bouška [31] , Sinkó et al. [32] , Ruiz-Hitzky et al. [33] and Thomas [34] , taking into account the behavior of Al in coal, the occurrence of kaolinite as a possible source of Al in coal complexes, clay-organic interactions and the relationship of the structure of kaolinite and gibbsite with the structure of Al complexes in coal, the possibilities of their formation are outlined.
2. Materials and Methods2.1. Materials2.1.1. Coals
For measurements, air-dried powdered low ash coal samples with an ash content up to 4 wt% (1.51 - 4.10 wt%, see below) were selected. Bituminous coals from the Czech Republic (Upper Silesian Basin and Central Bohemian Basin), Australia (Queensland, Peak Downs), and China (Shanxi Province, An Tai Bao open pit mine) were examined along with lignite from the Czech Republic (Northern Bohemian Basin). Further, xylite from the Cheb Basin (Czech Republic), anthracites from the Czech Republic, Russia and Ukraine, and the thermally altered coals from Upper Silesian and Central Bohemian basins were tested.
2.1.2. Coal Fractions
From three coals from Upper Silesian Basin (Czech Rep.) the fractions with low ash content were prepared. Those fractions from Dukla coal (1.27 - 1.33 g/cm3), 9.květen coal (1.24 - 1.29 g/cm3) and Staříč coal (<1.30 g/cm3) were separated with a sink-float method using xylene/CCl4 mixtures with density 1.21, 1.24, 1.27, 1.33, 1.40 and 1.50 g/cm3 and centrifugation at 3000 rpm, rotation radius 25 cm [35] .
For determination of the maceral group in which the Al complexes are concentrated, seven fractions from the Dukla coal were separated in the same way. The fractions obtained were further leached, while 60 - 70 g of sample were mixed with 140 - 150 mL 2-methoxyethanol and left in capped flasks at room temperature for 20 months, with shaking from time to time. Subsequently, the solid phase from leaching and the solid residue after leaching were analyzed using 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopy. Further, the CSA lignite was leached and separates analyzed in the same way; for comparison, this lignite was leached also with CCl4.
Coal samples/fractions were analyzed without demineralization, i.e. in their original state. The reason is that demineralization [36] , unlike sink-float or leaching, may not be friendly to some structures of coal and examined Al complexes could be damaged.
2.1.3. Al Minerals
Minerals for the sensitivity and resolution testing of the NMR method chosen were as follows: α-Al2O3 (corundum, Korund Benátky, SRO, Czech Rep.); γ-Al(OH)3, (gibbsite, Lachema Brno Comp., Czech Rep.); and kaolinite (Kaolin Sedlec IA Standard, Sedlecký Kaolin AS, Czech Rep.).
2.1.4. Al Complexes
The reference Al complexes for assignment of Al complexes in coal were as follows. Al phenoxide (Sigma Aldrich); Al-catechin complex, prepared according to Chen et al. [27] ; triaquo-triphenoxido-Aluminum(III) complex (Al(H2O)3(C6H5O)3), prepared by EtOH extraction from Al phenoxide phtalocyanine chloride dye (Sigma Aldrich), yield ca. 10 wt% (based on the work [24] ).
Further was used triaquo-hydroxo-diphenoxido-Aluminum(III) complex (Al(H2O)3(OH)(C6H5O)2), prepared by long term reaction of gibbsite powder with phenol (1:1) in water as follows: gibbsite (25 g) was blended with the same amount of phenol and 110 mL water then added; the suspension was kept in capped flasks at room temperature for 15 months; then conc. NaOH was added for removal of unreacted phenol. The resulting precipitate was washed and air-dried, subsequently, 500 mL EtOH was added for leaching; after the EtOH evaporation, the solid phase was the resulting complex in the yield about 10 wt% [15] . Finally, triaquo-trihydroxo-Alumi- num(III) complex (Al(H2O)3(OH)3), prepared by long term hydrolysis (20 months) of AlCl3 in water at pH 5.5 [6] , (yield ca. 20 wt%) was used.
2.2. Methods2.2.1. Instrumental Techniques
Solid state 27Al MAS NMR spectra were recorded using a Bruker Avance 500 WB/US NMR spectrometer (Karlsruhe, Germany) with 4 mm double resonance probe heads at MAS rate ωr/2π = 12 kHz. The spectra were acquired at 130.287 MHz, using a tip angle of 20 degrees (1 μs pulse length) with a recycle delay of 2 s. The spectra were referenced to Al(NO3)3 at 0.0 ppm.
Organic elemental analysis was performed using a Flash 1112 EA analyzer (Thermo Finnigan, Rodano). Analysis of aluminum was carried out with an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer (EDS Spectro X-Lab; Spectro Analytical Instruments, Kleve). The coal samples always had ca. 1 wt% Al.
The maceral composition of the vitrinite, liptinite and inertinite group was assayed using an Opton-Zeiss UMSP 30 Petro microscope (reflected monochromatic light, wavelength 546 nm, immersion objective, magnification 40×, oil immersion with refractive index n = 1.518) and Eltinor point counter for precise determination of the petrographic components according to ISO 7404; also in accord with Taylor et al. [37] , ICCP 1998 [38] , ICCP 2001 [39] and Scott [40] .
For minerals distribution in the high-ash high-density fractions, X-ray analysis was carried out using a Bruker D8 Discover diffractometer using CuKα radiation, at voltage 40 kV and current 40 mA, with a detector LynxEye, in the range of 3 - 69 2Theta. Minerals were evaluated using the databasis Mineral Powder Diffraction Data- Data Book (1980).
Thermal stability of the prepared complexes was tested by thermogravimetric method using a SETARAM Setsys Evolution 18 analyzer. About 23 - 25 mg of the dry sample was heated at a rate of 10˚C/min in an inert atmosphere (He, 20 cm3/min) in the temperature range of 25˚C - 900˚C.
2.2.2. MAS NMR Assignment of Al Complexes
Due to low concentration of Al complexes in coal, their isolation is very difficult. For identification, it is therefore more feasible to use a highly sensitive and high resolution solid state 27Al MAS NMR spectrometer, have a comparative scale of complexes as reference compounds, and assign complexes in question on the basis of the same or very similar peak shifts (allowable difference of 1 - 2 ppm [17] ).
Generally, signals in the range of −20 to 20 ppm are typical for hexa-coordination of Al to O in an octahedral arrangement [41] , which can be considered for Al complexes in coal [24] . Hexa-coordinated Al affords NMR features which can be correlated with the octahedral symmetry, the number of Al sites, and the distribution of Al-O distances. Therefore, if various well defined minerals are tested, completely different values should be measured.
Let us consider corundum, gibbsite and kaolinite. As X-ray data show, in corundum (α-Al2O3), Al3+ ions are surrounded by six nearest O neighbors at 1.849 and 1.980 Å [42] or at 1.855 and 1.972 Å [43] , and the four near nearest Al3+ neighbors at 2.65 and 2.79 Å [44] ; regarding strong correlations between structural characteristics and 27Al MAS NMR spectral parameters in Al oxides and hydroxides [19] , a significant NMR signal is expected from Al-O bonds. Since a further compound, gibbsite (γ-Al(OH)3), consists of octahedral layers with two Al sites with the Al-O distances spread over 1.832 to 1.947 Å [45] , a different NMR signal from corundum would be expected. The third mineral, kaolinite, has two Al sites like gibbsite, but the Al-O distances are between 1.880 and 1.969 Å [46] without a resolved mode. In kaolinite, a gibbsite-like layer is associated to a tetrahedral Si layer; therefore, a different NMR signal would again be expected. On this basis, both the sensitivity and resolution of the method and spectrometer used for the environment of Al3+ were tested.
First, corundum was tested, in which the Al3+ ions are bonded in distorted octahedra; for this, a peak shift at 14.2 ppm was recorded (Figure 1). The second compound, gibbsite, again with distorted octahedra, exhibited a shift at 8.9 ppm. The basic structure of gibbsite is practically identical to that of corundum, except that the oxygens are replaced by OH groups. Therefore, the gibbsite chemical environment is different from corundum. The 27Al MAS NMR signal obtained was sensitive to the local Al environment and the difference between peak shifts was recorded. Finally, kaolinite was tested. In this case, a peak shift at 4.8 ppm was obtained (Figure 2). It is evident that the peak shifts were distinctly different, reflecting the differences between the chemical environment of the Al3+ ions. A similar effect was expected for Al complexes listed in Table 1.
These complexes were chosen as references, based on long term experience with the analysisof 27Al MAS NMR spectra from coals, their leachates with organic solvents, notably 2-methoxyethanol, and investigation of
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of corundum with peak shift at 14.2 ppm
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of kaolinite with peak shift at 4.8 ppm. Peak at 72 ppm is due to tetrahedral site. (A double-resonance 4-mm probe head, spectrum acquired at 130.287 MHz, the spinning frequency of 12 kHz, tip angle 20˚ (1 μs pulse length), a recycle delay of 2 s, external standard Al(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>
Reference complexes for identification of Al complexes in coal and their peak shifts in <sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectra
Reference complex
Peak shift (ppm)
Description
Al phenoxide Al-catechin complex Al(H2O)3(C6H5O)3 (TTA)
20.9 16.2 14.2
Al(C6H5O)3. Al bonded to polyphenol molecule(s). Al3+ hexa-coordinated with oxygen from phenoxide anions and water ligands.
Al(H2O)3(OH)(C6H5O)2 (THDA)
3.8
Al3+ hexa-coordinated to the phenoxide, hydroxo and water oxygens.
Al(OH)3(H2O)3
-1.4
Al complex with symmetrically arranged OH and water ligands. (Basic complex found in xylite.)
Al complexes with organic ligands. The first reference compound in Table 1, Al phenoxide, showed a signal at 20.9 ppm [24] with a broad asymmetric peak in a range of ca. −20 to 30 ppm. Thus, irregularly arranged phenoxide ions exist in the chemical environment of Al3+. On the contrary, the Al(OH)3(H2O)3 complex exhibited a symmetrical peak at −1.4 ppm, so, this complex has symmetrically arranged ligands and a quite different peak shift as compared with Al phenoxide (Figure 3).
However, if two OH groups are replaced by phenoxide anions in the Al(H2O)3(OH)(C6H5O)2 (triaquo-hy- droxo-diphenoxido-Aluminum(III), THDA, Figure 4), the chemical shift was 3.8 ppm, with an asymmetric peak (Figure 5). Further, when 3 C6H5O− ions or a polyphenol molecule/polyphenol molecules are present as ligands, the triaquo-triphenoxido-Aluminum(III) complex (Al(H2O)3(C6H5O)3, TTA, Figure 6) or Al-catechin complex are formed. In this case, the peak shift values were quite different, specifically at 14.2 or 16.2 ppm, respectively (Table 1). On the whole, in the range of −20 to 20 ppm, peak shifts reflected the chemical environment differences between the standards as expected.
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of Al(OH)<sub>3</sub>(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>3</sub> complex with a symmetrical peak at −1.4 ppm
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of Al(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>3</sub>(OH)(C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>O)<sub>2</sub> complex (THDA) with asymmetric peak at 3.8 ppm. (SSB- spinning sideband.
Triaquo-triphenoxido-Aluminum(III) complex (TTA)
Practically the same peak shifts of those registered for the reference Al complexes were also found in spectra of the low ash coal samples (Figure 7 and Figure 8, see below). The significant peak at chemical shift of the Al(OH)3(H2O)3 complex was the same as that for xylite (see below).
3. Results and Discussion3.1. Identification of Al Complexes in Coal
The coal samples always had about 1 wt% Al (air-dry basis). Although only low ash samples were examined (Table 2), mineralogical analysis was carried out and distribution of minerals determined. The reason is that Al minerals could disturb the identification of Al complexes. Distribution of minerals was evaluated with the high-ash high-density fractions (>1.5 g/cm3), separated from Czech coals and lignite, Australian and Chinese coals and thermally altered coals (Table 2). From Table 2 it follows that in 6 cases prevails dolomite (high density fractions from 5 Czech bituminous coals and the altered coal Lazy; the results obtained are in agreement with Dopita [47] ; in 2 cases calcite (Chinese coal and the altered coal Kladno), and in the other 2 cases quartz (Australian coal and ČSA lignite).
In the case of Czech anthracite (ash content 2.98 wt%), gagatite (ash content 1.51 wt%) and xylite (ash content 2.49 wt%), the content of minerals was below the XRD detection limit, therefore, the qualitative minera- logical composition was taken from the literature [48] [49] . As it is clear from these works, calcite/dolomite, quartz, pyrite, and a small amount of clay minerals are present. In Russian and Ukrainian anthracites (ash content 2.66 and 3.46 wt%, respectively), the mineral contents were below the XRD detection limit, too, however, regarding the works [50] [51] the occurrence of quartz, pyrite dolomite and kaolinite can be assumed. In summary, the samples listed in Table 2 were suitable for identification of Al complexes, because they had low ash content and in their mineral composition dominated mostly carbonates and quartz, not Al-minerals.
Because only low ash samples with prevailing non-Al minerals in a very minor mineral part of coal were measured, the results were related to Al complexes in coal organic matter. Generally, due to above-mentioned affinity of Al for coal organic matter and a strong ability to form complexes, the occurrence of Al complexes with organic ligands in the coal samples is highly likely. The signals obtained from anthracite, bituminous coal, lignite, gagatite, altered coal and xylite are shown in Table 3. Different types of spectra were registered, with signals in the range of ca. −20 to 20 ppm. With anthracite, the peak shift was at 15 ppm, with bituminous coal the peak shifts at 3.4 - 4 and 13.5 - 14 ppm were recorded. In the case of lignite and gagatite, a peak shift at 3.5 - 4 ppm was obvious, while the ČSA lignite from the Northern Bohemian Basin showed beside peak at 3.5 the peak shift at 13.6 ppm. Contrasting results were obtained for thermally altered samples. While the weakly altered Kladno coal (Central Bohemian Basin) showed a single peak at 4.2 ppm, the more altered Lazy coal (Upper Silesian Basin) showed three peaks, at 5.2, 15.9 and 71.9 ppm. Finally, with xylite the peak shift was at 0.8 ppm. All these peak shifts were compared with those from the reference Al complexes (Table 1).
As mentioned above, with some bituminous coals, lignite and gagatite, a peak shift at 3.5 - 4 ppm was observed. A typical spectrum is shown in Figure 7 (An Tai Bao coal, China, Shanxi Province, ash content 2.74 wt%). The peak shift (at 3.6 ppm) is very close to that of the THDA complex (Table 1), therefore, THDA or a THDA-like complex could be suggested as a component of the coal.
Peak shifts in the following Figures 8-10 were assessed with regard to works [18] [19] [52] . In the case of the Dukla, Darkov, Paskov, Peak Downs and ČSA samples, along with a signal 3.5 - 4 ppm, the peak at 13.5 - 14 ppm was registered (Figure 8 and Figure 9). Consequently, another quite different Al complex in these coals
Ash content of selected coals, lignites and altered coals and distribution of minerals determined with the high-ash high-density fractions (>1.5 g/cm<sup>3</sup>) by XRD. (CZ-Czech Republic.
Coal type
Locality/state
Ash (wt%)
Distribution of minerals in +1.5 g/cm3 fraction (%)
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of An Tai Bao coal (China, Shanxi province)
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of peak downs coal (Australia, Qeensland). In a mineral part of coal (4 wt%) completely dominated quartz (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>)
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of Paskov coal (Upper Silesian Basin, Czech Rep.) with two different peak shifts corresponding to two Al complexes
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of thermally altered Lazy coal (Upper Silesian Basin, Czech Rep.). No Al minerals were present in coal (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>). The peak shift at 71.9 ppm corresponds therefore to certain organic structure with Al tetra-coordinated to O
must be considered besides a THDA/THDA-like complex. From Table 1 it follows that TTA or TTA-like complexes could be suggested in this case. Correspondingly, anthracite samples gave the peak shifts at 15.2, 15.3, and 15.4 ppm (Table 3), like the TTA complex; it is reasonable to ascribe these values to a TTA or TTA-like complex, however, an Al-catechin or Al-catechin-like complex with a chemical shift at 16 ppm (Table 1) could also be considered.
Furthermore, in the case of the thermally altered coal Lazy (Upper Silesian Basin, ash content 2.70 wt%), also the peak at 15.9 ppm (peak area 15.3% of the total area of peaks) along with a signal at 5.2 ppm (peak area 61.0% of the total peaks area) was registered; but, moreover, the symmetrical peak at 71.9 ppm (peak area 23.7% of the total peaks area) was observed (Figure 10). As Al tetra-coordinated with O shows a typical shift at 60 - 80 ppm [53] it could be deduced that, during long-term thermal alteration, THDA and/or TTA complexes with Al hexa- coordinated to O were partly transformed to organic structure/structures with Al tetra-coordinated to O [54] . It must be emphasized that Lazy coal contained only 2.70 wt% of ash, moreover, a mineral admixture did not contain kaolinite or other Al minerals (Table 2). Therefore, the thermal alteration took place in the organic matter of coal.
In this connection, thermal processing conditions of this transformation were considered. According to altered coals classification [55] , the Lazy coal used is the zero oxidative and higher thermally altered subtype, formed in the vicinity of a red beds body. The thermal alteration of this coal was investigated by Kurková [56] . Based on laboratory experiments with heating of a non-altered Lazy coal at different times (1-n.100 h) and the model calculations, it was shown that 1) during alteration, the coal was thermally processed at 100˚C - 200˚C for a long time, 2) for the determination of maximum temperature of alteration is applicable a statistical linear relationship (Equation 1) according to Barker and Pawlewitz [57] , further reported and commented in the work [58] . In Equation (1), Rr is the mean vitrinite reflectance (%) and tmax the maximum temperature (˚C).
As Rr was 0.97% ± 0.05% with altered Lazy coal (according to ISO 7404), the maximum temperature of coal alteration can be estimated approximately 150˚C. It can be deduced that transformation of complexes with Al hexa-coordinated to O to certain organic structure with Al tetra-coordinated to O occurred at temperatures below 150˚C.
In addition, the occurrence of Al complexes in xylite was investigated. With xylite from the Cheb Basin (Tertiary brown coal basin, Czech Rep.) the peak shift at 0.8 ppm was obvious (Figure 11). Since this value corresponds to that for the Al(OH)3(H2O)3 complex (−1.4 ppm, Figure 3), it is evident that the Al complex in xylite differed significantly from those in anthracite, bituminous coal, and lignite.
As stated above, for solving some geochemical issues and outstanding questions of temperature conditions of coal formation, the thermal stability of Al complexes identified in coal is important. Therefore, this question was solved together with identification and characterization of complexes in question in following section.
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of xylite (Cheb Basin, Czech Rep.)
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR signals for coals, coal fractions, gagatite and xylite (CZ-Czech Rep.). In the case of Dukla, 9. květen and Staříč coals, the density fractions (see <xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>) were measured. Range of signal/signals (ppm) corresponds to the total width of the resonance lines
Coal/mine
Basin/locality/state
Peak shift (ppm)
Range of signal/signals (ppm)
Anthracites: Bituminous:
Czech Republic
15.3
0 - 20
Russia
15.4
0 - 20
Ukraine
15.2
0 - 20
Dukla 9. květen
3.6; 14.5 4.0
−5 - 10; 5 - 20 −5 - 15
Darkov Paskov Staříč
Upper Silesian Basin/CZ
3.4; 14.1 3.8; 13.5 13.8
−5 - 15; 5 - 20 −10 - 10; 0 - 20 −10 - 20
Peak Downs
Qeensland, Australia
3.5; 14.1
−10 - 0; −10 - 20
An Tai Bao
Shanxi, China
3.6
−5 - 12
Lignite:
ČSA
Northern Bohemian Basin/CZ
3.5; 13.6
−5 - 10; 5 - 20
Gagatite:
Poland
~3.5
−5 - 10
Altered:
Kladno Lazy Xylite: Nová Ves
Central Bohemian Basin/CZ Upper Silesian Basin/CZ Cheb Basin/CZ
4.2 5.2; 15.9; 71.9 0.8
−10 - 20 −5 - 15; 0 - 20; 65 - 80 −20 - 20
3.2. Thermal Stability of Al Complexes Identified in Coal
The thermal stability of Al(OH)3(H2O)3, THDA and TTA complexes was investigated thermogravimetrically, by TG/DTG method. It was found that the thermal decomposition of Al(OH)3(H2O)3 starts at 75˚C and its decomposition proceeds with elimination of water molecules up to ca. 120˚C while Al(OH)3 is formed. Al(OH)3 then decomposes up to about 225˚C to form γ-AlO(OH) (by reaction Al(OH)3 = γ-AlO(OH) + H2O), due to the fact that the thermal stability of γ-AlO(OH) is higher than that of Al(OH)3 [59] . Subsequently proceeds the conversion of γ-AlO(OH) to γ-Al2O3 (by reaction 2γ-AlO(OH) = γ-Al2O3 + H2O)up to 350˚C, with maximum of decomposition at ca. 300˚C, in accordance with [59] . Therefore, Al(OH)3(H2O)3 complex can be considered as stable up to ca. 75˚C. Thermal stability of THDA complex is obvious from Figure 12. The beginning of decomposition was registered at 97˚C, the maximum decomposition at 143˚C and complete decomposition after reaching of temperature approximately 160˚C. A similar progression was observed in the decomposition of TTA. Thus, THDA and TTA complexes can be considered as stable up to ca. 95˚C. On the whole, the thermal stability of studied Al complexes is not too high.
3.3. Separation of THDA and TTA Complexes
Previous data show that at least two Al complexes could be considered for bituminous coal and lignite. The question is whether or not they could be separated from one another. In this respect, some Al complexes are soluble in polar solvents [5] , which are favorable for their extraction from coal. The Dukla coal and ČSA lignite were therefore leached with 2-methoxyethanol; the solid phase from the leachate and the solid residue after leaching were analyzed using 27Al MAS NMR. The results are summarized in Table 4.
It can be seen from Table 4 that both Al complexes can be successfully separated using 2-methoxyethanol. The spectra from the solid phase of the leachates showed a peak shift at 15 ppm (corresponding to TTA soluble in 2-methoxyethanol; no Al minerals can be present in the leachate) and those from the solid residue after leaching at 3 - 4 ppm (corresponding to THDA insoluble in 2-methoxyethanol).
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR spectrum of xylite (Cheb Basin, Czech Rep.)
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR analysis of solid phase of leachates and solid residues after leaching of the Duklabituminous coal and ČSA lignite (2-MOE-2-methoxyethanol)
Coal/lignite
2-MOE separate
Peak shift (ppm)
Assignment
Dukla
Solid phase of leachate
14.5
TTA
Solid residue after leaching
3.6
THDA
ČSA
Solid phase of leachate
14.6
TTA
Solid residue after leaching
3.4
THDA
These findings prove that at least one, but probably two Al complexes with different properties were present in the coal organic matter of the samples; moreover, it is evident that petrographically characterized coal fractions can also be leached and further analyzed with the 27Al MAS NMR method. In this way, the coal maceral group in which the Al complexes are concentrated could be determined. Fractions from the Dukla coal were therefore prepared using the sink-float method with xylene-CCl4 mixtures, analyzed (Table 5) and petrographically characterized (Table 6). As a TTA complex is soluble in 2-methoxyethanol, the fractions were further leached with it and the resulting separates analyzed. The results are shown in Table 6.
Table 6 shows that neither the leachate solid phase nor the solid residue after leaching of the low density fractions (<1.21, 1.21 - 1.24, and 1.24 - 1.27 g/cm3) with the lowest ash content exhibited no NMR signals. It means that no Al complexes were in these fractions. On the contrary, the fraction with medium density 1.27 - 1.33 g/cm3 exhibited the strong signals at 3.6 and 14.5 ppm, while the solid phase from leachate showed a signal at 14.5 ppm (corresponding to TTA) and solid residue after leaching at 3.6 ppm (corresponding to THDA). Both signals were attributed to Al complexes, because the ash content in this fraction was only 2.39 wt% and practically no Al minerals were present. (Al minerals were present only in the highest-density high-ash fraction, Table 2). With higher density fractions (1.33 - 1.40 and 1.40 - 1.50 g/cm3) no signals were registered. But with the highest density high-ash fraction (>1.50 g/cm3, high-ash fraction with 50.22 wt% of ash, dry basis) was observed in a solid residue after leaching rather stronger signal at 3.6 ppm attributed to kaolinite and muscovite (Table 2; [60] ). In summary, 1) no Al complexes were found in the low density fractions; 2) Al complexes THDA and TTA were identified in the 1.27 - 1.33 g/cm3 fraction; 3) Al minerals were concentrated in the highest density fraction.
Since petrographic composition of the medium density fraction of the Dukla coal exhibited the dominant vitrinite content of 68% (Table 7), it could be deduced that TTA and THDA complexes were concentrated mainly in vitrinite. Attention was therefore focused on the vitrinite maceral group in the individual fractions and
Elemental analysis of fractions from Dukla coal (wt%, dry ash free basis)
Fraction (g/cm3)
C
H
N
So
Odif
<1.21
82.48
5.46
1.41
0.64
10.01
(1.21 - 1.24)
85.28
5.43
1.46
0.47
7.36
(1.24 - 1.27)
82.04
5.53
1.31
0.65
10.47
(1.27 - 1.33)
82.81
5.03
1.53
0.65
9.99
(1.33 - 1.40)
83.03
5.01
1.31
0.69
9.95
(1.40 - 1.50)
82.84
4.89
1.09
0.69
10.49
>1.50
71.83
4.18
0.99
0.78
22.22
<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR analysis of solid phase of leachates and solid residues after leaching for individual fractions of Dukla coal (2-MOE-2-methoxyethanol). (-): not detected
Fraction (g/cm3)
Vitrinite
Liptinite (vol%)
Inertinite
2-MOE separate
Shift (ppm)
<1.21
34.4
52.3
13.3
Solid phase of leachate
(-)
Solid residue after leaching
(-)
(1.21 - 1.24)
44.2
40.6
15.2
Solid phase of leachate
(-)
Solid residue after leaching
(-)
(1.24 - 1.27)
61.1
20.7
18.2
Solid phase of leachate
(-)
Solid residue after leaching
(-)
(1.27 - 1.33)
67.9
7.4
24.7
Solid phase of leachate
14.5
Solid residue after leaching
3.6
(1.33 - 1.40)
65.5
9.8
24.7
Solid phase of leachate
(-)
Solid residue after leaching
(-)
(1.40 - 1.50)
34.2
17.7
48.1
Solid phase of leachate
(-)
Solid residue after leaching
(-)
>1.50
27.4
20.8
51.8
Solid phase of leachate
(-)
Solid residue after leaching
3.6
Maceral composition of vitrinite in individual fractions from Dukla coal. Telinite, collotelinite, corpogelinite and gelinite contents were negligible
Fraction (g/cm3)
Vitrinite
Collotellinite (vol. %)
Vitrodetrinite
<1.21
34.4
31.3
1.1
(1.21 - 1.24)
44.2
43.2
1.0
(1.24 - 1.27)
61.1
59.6
1.5
(1.27 - 1.33)
67.9
66.7
1.2
(1.33 - 1.40)
65.5
64.0
1.5
(1.40 - 1.50)
34.2
32.3
1.9
>1.50
27.4
24.8
2.6
vitrinite macerals in order to identify the maceral in which Al complexes were concentrated. It was found that in the consideredfraction completely predominated collotelinite; vitrodetrinite was in the minority, and content of telinite, collodetrinite, corpogelinite and gelinite was negligible (Table 7).
As the data in Table 7 show, the 1.27 - 1.33 g/cm3 fraction contained 67 vol% collotellinite. Therefore, it could be suggested that the Al complexes in question were concentrated mainly in collotelinite, representing the gelified and homogenous vitrinite constituent.
As mentioned above, the CSA lignite (ash content 4.10 wt%, Table 2) was also leached with 2-methoxye- thanol and resulting solid phase from leachate and solid residue after leaching analyzed (Table 4). Solid phase from leachate exhibited a signal at 14.6 ppm, attributed to TTA according to Table 1; solid residue after leaching had the signal at 3.4 ppm, attributed to THDA (Table 1), because of low ash content of examined lignite. Moreover, in the mineral composition dominated quartz, gypsum and goethite; Al minerals were in the minority in this case (Table 2). Practically the same results were achieved when leaching the CSA lignite with CCl4. The solid phase from leachate exhibited a signal at 13.6 ppm, solid residue after leaching a signal at 3.5 ppm.
3.4. Formation of the Al Complexes in Coal
From the above findings, the possible formation of the complexes in question can be deduced. It is fairly certain that primordial plant material contained Al and that it existed in a complex form, possibly as the Al(OH)3(H2O)3 found in xylite. The long term reactions of this or a similar Al complex with the precursors of coal organic matter as polyphenols and phenols gradually led to the Al complexes found in coal. Another possibility for these complexes formation arises from the hexa-coordination of Al to O in complex species detected. It seems that these compounds can originate from a gibbsite layer in kaolinite, which occurs frequently in coal and lignite. It is well known that an outstanding property of dispersed kaolinite particles is delamination into individual silicate and gibbsite layers [61] [62] . This delamination to octahedral gibbsite and tetrahedral silicate layers preceded the formation of the Al complexes. Regarding the clay-organic interactions [33] it can be suggested that the subsequent reactions of gibbsite with phenols in a waterlogged environment led to the Al complexes in coal, notably in collotelinite.
4. Conclusion
Different low ash bituminous coals, lignites and altered coals, as well as gagatite and xylite were analyzed using solid state 27Al MAS NMR; in the spectra, the significant peak at chemical shift at 3.5 - 4 ppm corresponding to a triaquo-hydroxo-diphenoxido-Aluminum(III) complex was found. In the case of anthracites, some bituminous coals, and lignite from Northern Bohemian Basin, the significant peak at chemical shift at 13.5 - 15 ppm corresponding to triaquo-triphenoxido-Aluminum(III) or an Al-catechin complex was observed. These findings, together with petrological analysis, indicate that at least two different Al complexes occur in coal, while they are concentrated in vitrinite, notably collotelinite. Further, the spectra of thermally altered coal from the Upper Silesian Basin showed a chemical shift at 72 ppm, showing that a structure with aluminum tetra-coordinated with oxygen was formed during thermal alteration. It can be suggested that the Al complexes in coal were formed via long term reactions of Al complex/complexes in primordial plants with polyphenols and phenols (precursors of coal organic matter) or by reactions of gibbsite with phenols in a waterlogged environment. The thermal stability of these Al complexes is not too high.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Long-term project for the conceptual development of the research organization No. RVO 67985891.
Cite this paper
Pavel Straka, (2016) Characterization of Aluminum(III) Complexes in Coal Organic Matter. American Journal of Analytical Chemistry,07,378-394. doi: 10.4236/ajac.2016.74036
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