Visualization and analysis of mapping knowledge domains for spontaneous combustion studies

To better grasp developments and trends in research on spontaneous combustion disasters around the world and to promote theoretical research into their prevention and control, research progress on spontaneous combustion disasters is reviewed and analyzed using bibliometrics based on a total of 2,313 publications collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Yearly quantitative distribution of literature, country/region distribution, organization distribution, main source journal distribution, subject category distribution, research knowledge bases, and research hotspots and frontiers are all analyzed, and CiteSpace and VOSviewer are used to plot knowledge domain maps. The results show that the number of papers on spontaneous combustion studies has grown exponentially, that China, the USA, Russia, Japan, Germany, Australia and England are the most active countries in spontaneous combustion studies, but results from the USA are the most influential, and that Fuel, C&F, JLPPI, IJHE, IJCG and E&F are the main sources of published research on spontaneous combustion. At present, a framework for the basic theory and research methods is complete, but the research network is too centralized, and there are few frontier branches. Thermodynamics research, disaster numerical simulation, and prevention and retardation technology are the main knowledge bases for spontaneous combustion studies. Research on spontaneous combustion disasters has expanded from the macro level to the micro scale. Thermodynamics analysis, mechanisms to inhibit spontaneous combustion, early warning methods and emergency rescue technology have become research frontiers.