Nanomaterials with efficient up-conversion (UC) luminescence have great potential in applications for optical imaging, biomedical labeling, solar cells and photocatalytic devices, etc., but have not been used in oil and gas industry yet. Currently, the most efficient and intense up-conversion luminescence is from near infrared (NIR) to visible by using the combination of an Yb3+ sensitizer (absorber) and an RE3+ (Er3+, Ho3+ or Tm3+) activator (emitter) in host materials. These phosphor materials usually have multiple emissions with blue, green and/or red emissions, and intensity ratios of the multiple emissions are dependent on the efficiency of quenching processes, however, it is still a challenge to fabricate nanophosphors with nearly or fully pure upconversion emission in desired spectral windows. For different applications, defined emissions at certain wavelengths are required. For example, nanophosphors with near-infrared to near-infrared (NIR-to-NIR) upconversion have clear advantage with a petroleum clear optical window. In this research, by manipulating content of Yb3+/Tm3+ in selected host materials, we have successfully synthesized rare earth ions codoped nanoparticles via wet-chemical method and obtained nearly pure NIR-to-NIR upconversion photoluminescence. A surface functionalization procedure has been also developed to stabilize the nanoparticles in high temperature and high salinity environment. Both the emission light at ~800 nm and the excitation at 980 nm are in petroleum clear spectral range, so that they have enhanced penetration and eliminated background interference in crude oil-brine mixtures. The novel upconversion nanoparticles can be used as new tracer nanoagents for better understanding water flooding and enhanced oil recovery process in reservoirs.

Synthesis and functionalization of NIR-to-NIR upconversion nanophosphors for oil reservoir application

2019 Spring National Meeting

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