The researchers studied the floatability of different parts of Shenfu coal. They found that vitrinite and inertinite have similar properties. Both contain hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups, but vitrinite is less hydrophobic than inertinite. Oxygen-containing groups affect how well the coal wets. Inertinite has a wetting heat of 9.639 J/g, while vitrinite has -21.306 J/g. Both types of coal have negative charges on their surfaces at various pH levels. The ξ-potentials of inertinite and vitrinite are similar, with zero-potential points at pH 2.80 and 3.40.