There is significant interest in applying nanoparticle (NP) science to subsurface reservoirs to facilitate oil and gas recovery, image subsurface reservoirs, aid sequestration of CO2 and benefit environmental remediation. However, high salinities (> 1 M) including divalent ions like calcium and elevated temperatures (up to 150 �C) encountered in the sub-surface environment cause NP aggregation and undesirable adsorption on mineral surface.  We have overcome these challenges by designing copolymers that remain soluble in high salinity brine.  The solvated chains when grafted to iron oxide NPs provided steric stabilization in brine at 90 �C for 1 month. As studied by a batch technique, the extended polymer chains also significantly decrease adsorption of NPs on model microspheres in spite of the high salinity.

Stabilization of iron oxide nanoparticles in high salinity brine at high temperatures with sulfonate copolymer for sub-surface applications

245th National Meeting (2013)

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