Engineered or surface functionalized nanomaterials are excellent tools for developing advanced materials such as sensor, diagnostic, and imaging contrast agents for biomedical to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) research. However, their applications are limited, and well understood the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles in complex fluids because of their inherent lower salt tolerance and weak thermal stability, and increasing the displacement efficiency. Furthermore, to improve the transport and delivery of nanoparticles in the complex media containing high ionic strength, pH, and temperature. Understanding the factor driving colloidal nanoparticle stability is essential, ranging from aggregation, shape, size, and surface chemistry.
We recently applied unique salt and temperature-responsive halophilic (salt-loving) polymers to surface functionalization to stabilize metal nanoparticles at elevated temperature and high salinity, opening a new way to stabilize the surface-functionalized nanomaterials that could employ in complex environments. In this presentation, we have discussed zwitterionic polybetaines functionalized nanoparticles, which can provide robust stabilization of nanoparticles against particle aggregation at high temperature and high salinities. In core flooding experiments, functionalized nanofluid did not aggregate or cause blockage in pore throats inside the core sample. The nanofluid had remained stable with no significant increase in differential pressure. The study demonstrated the advantage of the surface-enhanced saltphilic nanofluid could be an alternative approach to other nanomaterials for oil field applications.

Enhanced colloidal stability and interaction of functionalized nanoparticles in complex environments

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.