Effects of lithium iodide doping on the associated molecular structure of brown coal

Effects of lithium iodide (LiI) doping on the associated molecular structure of brown coal have been investigated. Devolatilization of the coal is enhanced with LiI doping at lower temperature range (<300°C). The devolatilization enhanced with LiI doping proceeds without thermal decomposition and cleavage of cross-linkage structure. High temperature ¹H-NMR results indicate that the LiI doping increases the fractions of mobile structure, and also enhances the mobility of molecules. During heat treatment, LiI maintains the enhanced molecular mobility resulting in an increase in the evolution of volatile matter.