Research progress and prospects of coal dust suppressants

High-concentration dust generated during coal mining, storage, and transportation not only severely endangers the safe production of China’s coal industry but also poses a grave threat to the occupational health of workers. The contradiction between the high incidence of pneumoconiosis and the insufficient collection efficiency of existing dust suppression technologies for respirable dust has become increasingly prominent. Therefore, the development of efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective dust suppressants has emerged as a key research topic for enhancing the comprehensive dust control capability in mines. Against the backdrop of coal dust’s inherent properties—including strong hydrophobicity, large specific surface area, and susceptibility to airflow disturbance-induced fugitive dust—this paper systematically summarizes and analyzes the recent research status and development trends of both traditional dust suppressants （wetting, bonding, aggregation, composite, and gas-liquid two-phase foam types） and emerging eco-friendly dust suppressants. The findings indicate that traditional dust suppressants achieve dust control by modifying the surface properties of coal dust and leveraging mechanisms such as adhesion and agglomeration; however, they are constrained by limitations including short duration of action, high dust suppression costs, and substantial environmental impacts. To align with the requirements of green mine construction, emerging eco-friendly dust suppressants, represented by natural polymer materials and microbial technologies, have become research hotspots. Specifically, bio-based dust suppressants derived from polysaccharide materials such as starch or cellulose and microbially induced carbonate precipitation（MICP） exhibit excellent dust suppression performance while demonstrating favorable biodegradability and environmental compatibility. Nevertheless, challenges persist in practical application, cost control, and large-scale production. Future research on emerging dust suppressants should emphasize diversified development, focusing on multifunctional dust suppressants integrating flame retardancy, corrosion resistance, and other properties. Coupled with real-time dust concentration monitoring and precise prevention and control measures, these advancements will elevate the clean production level of mines and drive the transformation of China’s coal industry toward greater environmental sustainability and efficiency.