The inhibiting effects of sodium carbonate on coal dust deflagration based on thermal methods

•NaHCO3 had an evident effect on the coal dust oxidation.•The apparent activation energy gradually increases with an increase in the NaHCO3 mass fraction.•Coal dust explosion was completely inhibited by NaHCO3 at mass fraction of 400%.•Functional groups of the coal dust, such as C=C, C-O, and C–H, are protected by the addition of NaHCO3.