Variation characteristics of active groups and macroscopic gas products during low-temperature oxidation of coal under the action of inert gases N2 and CO2

•The mechanism and inhibition effect of N2 and CO2 on CSC were explored.•The release of CO exhibits an obvious “hysteresis effect” under the action of inert gases.•A comparison of inhibition rate (R value) discloses that CO2 boasts a higher inhibition rate than N2.