ESR signal intensities slightly decreased by photo-irradiation to Taiheiyo coal, but increased after irradiation. No spectral change was observed when tetralin or 1-methylnaphthalene was used as solvent. It has been suggested that photo absorption to coal mixed with solvent does not occur effectively.
The formation of radicals was found with photo-irradiation to a SRC from Taiheiyo coal. A g value of the signal was the same as that for the coal. The intensities did not change in the case of SRC alone, but greatly decreased when dihydronaphthalene or 1-methylnaphthalene was used as solvent. These two solvents have different hydrogen donating ability, but the same decreasing behavior for signal intensity was observed. It has been considered that not only hydrogen donating ability but also chemical or physical property of solvent contribute to the radical reaction.