Surface characterization of different particles arising as a result of coal combustion process in selected power plants from Central Poland using ToF-SIMS

The aim of this work was the ToF-SIMS investigations of different particles arising as a result of a coal combustion process in selected power plants from Central Poland. The chemical composition and distribution of particular compounds on the studied surfaces were determined. Moreover, the ratio of the quantity of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on the surface of the particles was estimated. A qualitative analysis of the studied samples demonstrated the presence of a big number of various compounds, including heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and As on the investigated surfaces. In the prevailing number sample components were distributed non-homogenously on the surface and the larger areas richer in a certain type of ions were observed.