Wettability modification and restraint of moisture re-adsorption of lignite using surfactant 12-2-12 were investigated.
Electrostatic forces play a dominant role in surfactant 12-2-12 adsorption.
The oxygen-containing functional groups of coal surface are beneficial for surfactant 12-2-12 adsorption.
Surfactant 12-2-12 was more effective than CTAB in resisting moisture re-adsorption.