Quantum dot nanoparticles (QDs) have been widely researched in material science for the past two decades due to their unique size-dependent properties. By modifying the surface chemistry of QDs their interaction with other materials can be controlled, making them attractive as potential biological markers, solid-state lighting systems, or for use in solar cells. Expanding work in QD research has necessitated a better understanding of how they transport through subsurface water regimes in order to predict contamination extent but has not been used to characterize subsurface reservoirs. The shift of the characteristic emission peak due to small changes in the QD diameter creates a potential range of tracers with unique optical signatures but similar transport and thermal stability properties. The large residence times of existing tracers in highly fractured reservoirs means this could be valuable to subsurface reservoir characterization. By modifying their surface chemistry, it is possible to create temperature stable QDs that can be used as tracer particles to characterize high-temperature porous media systems. These QDs are synthesized using a one-pot aqueous method and then undergo surface additions of sodium citrate ligand before being heated in an autoclave reactor to geothermal reservoir temperatures. Temperature stable QDs were then pumped through high-temperature columns of Ottawa sand to study their transport and retention properties.

Thermal stability of CdSe/CdS quantum dots and their application as a novel geothermal tracer

248th National Meeting (2014)

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