Mercury intrusion porosimetry analysis of coal dust adsorption characteristics on exfoliated graphite

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials Vol. 398; p. 113792
• Main Authors: Qiu, Jinwei, Sun, Chen, Hao, Wenjing, Xu, Hao, Jiang, Bingyou, Zhou, Liang, Tang, Mingyun, Qin, Ruxiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.12.2025
• Subjects: Adsorption; Exfoliated graphite; Fractal characteristics; Mercury intrusion porosimetry; Pore characteristics; Mercury intrusion porosimetry; Exfoliated graphite; Fractal characteristics; Adsorption; Pore characteristics
• ISSN: 1387-1811
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2025.113792

This study aimed to develop a cost-effective adsorption material for coal dust suppression using bituminous coal as the research subject. Three graphite-based materials were investigated: expandable graphite (EG), exfoliated graphite (ExG), and exfoliated graphite powder (ExGp). A comprehensive evaluation was conducted through coal dust adsorption and capture experiments, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine their dust suppression performance and characterize their pore structures. The results showed that ExG exhibited superior adsorption capacity, with ExG-80 achieving a saturated adsorption capacity of 0.3009 g/g and an adsorption ratio of 60.18, 5.97 and 7.68 times higher than EG and ExGp respectively. In dust capture tests, performance followed the order ExG-80 > ExG-50 > ExG-10, with ExG-80 reaching a remarkable 99.33 % capture efficiency at 0.09 g/mL concentration. ExG's highly porous structure, dominated by well-developed macropores and mesopores, significantly outperforming EG and ExGp. Fractal analysis revealed smoother percolation pores in ExG and ExGp compared to EG. SEM images confirmed ExG's loose, worm-like structure with interconnected graphite flakes and honeycomb-like micropores. A strong positive correlation was observed between adsorption capacity and macropore/mesopore volume, highlighting the critical role of pore structure in dust capture. [Display omitted] •ExG exhibits superior adsorption capacity and demonstrates excellent dust capture performance.•ExG possesses a highly porous structure.•Fractal analysis reveals smoother percolation pores in ExG and ExGp.•A strong positive correlation exists between adsorption capacity and macropore/mesopore volume.•Smaller EG particle sizes and higher expansion ratios enhance ExG's pore volume and adsorption performance.