An alternative SEM drying method using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) for microbial cell attachment studies on sub-bituminous coal

► Biofilm formation on coal is of fundamental and applied interest in microbiology. ► We show that HMDS is a suitable drying agent for SEM imaging of biofilms on coal. ► Alternative methods (e.g. critical point drying) are not suitable for coal samples. ► HMDS drying successfully generated SEM images in which cell morphology was intact.