@article{LI2026, 
author = {Bing LI and Sijian ZHENG and Hongqing HU and Yuchen TIAN and Helong ZHANG and Biao XU and Chengqi RUI and Guoxin ZHANG and Sheng SU and Yue ZHANG and Dalin YANG},
title = {Density functional theory study of interaction between H2O/CO2/CH4 and oxygen-containing functional groups on coal surface},
year = {2026},
journal = {Petroleum Science Bulletin},
volume = {11},
number = {2},
pages = {605-613},
keywords = {density functional theory, electrostatic potential, adsorption energy, oxygen-containing functional groups, adsorbates},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.3969/j.issn.2096-1693.2026.02.015},
doi = {10.3969/j.issn.2096-1693.2026.02.015},
abstract = {Using quantum chemical Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations, the adsorption mechanisms of three common molecular species in coal mines (H2O, CO2, and CH4) onto four prevalent oxygen-containing functional groups on coal surfaces were investigated from a microscopic perspective. The electrostatic potentials of the adsorbate molecules and the functional groups were evaluated, along with the adsorption distances, adsorption energies, and Mulliken charge transfer before and after adsorption. The results indicate that the order of maximum positive electrostatic potential for the functional groups is:-COOH>-OH>-C=O>-OCH3. The order of maximum negative electrostatic potential is:-OH>-OCH3>-COOH>-C=O. For the adsorbate molecules, the order of both maximum positive and negative electrostatic potentials is H2O>CO2>CH4. Adsorption energy calculations reveal that the adsorption strength of the three molecules follows the trend H2O>CO2>CH4. Specifically, the adsorption strength of H2O on the various functional groups follows the order -COOH>-OCH3> -OH>-C=O, whereas the adsorption strengths of CO2 and CH4 follow the order -OCH3>-COOH>-OH>-C=O. Mulliken charge analysis demonstrates that oxygen atoms in the functional groups readily accept electrons. A greater amount of electron transfer from the adsorbate correlates with a more stable adsorption configuration. The stability order of adsorption is confirmed as H2O>CO2>CH4.}
}