Auger electron spectroscopic measurements of ZnCl2-coal interaction

Two anolomous peaks in the ZnL₃M₂,₃M_4,5 Auger electron spectra of dried and heated samples of ZnCl₂-coal mixtures have been interpreted as indication of a Zn-coal bond formation. The peaks show a decrease from the normal 9.1 eV splitting for ZnCl₂ alone to 4.2 eV for ZnCl₂-coal mixtures. High volatile bituminous coals show this effect to a greater extent than either higher or lower rank coals. It is surmised that the side of this bond formation could coincide with the site of catalytic activity in the catalytic hydrogenation of coal in the presence of ZnCl₂.