Dispersible coal powder (Cp) particles were prepared by surface modification. Coupling agents such as gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570), vinyltrimethoxysilane (SG-Si171), and di(dioctylpyrophosphato) ethylene titanate (NDZ-311) were used as modifiers to increase the Cp surface activity. The pristine Cp particles are poorly dispersed in anhydrous ethanol. Compared with the pristine Cp particles, the modified Cp particles, especially the NDZ-311 coupled particles, show good dispersions in anhydrous ethanol. It is suggested that the improvement of hydrophobicity on the modified Cp is mainly ascribed to the forming of coupling agents coating layer onto the surface of Cp particles, and the surface properties of the Cp particles are changed, which show more stable colloidal dispersions in organic media. Cp particles modified by NDZ-311 can be used for rubber, plastic, etc. with better performance and longer life cycle. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.