TY - JOUR
T1 - Synthesis, characterization, and relaxometry studies of hydrophilic and hydrophobic superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles for oil reservoir applications
AU - Ali, Shahid
AU - Khan, Safyan A.
AU - Eastoe, Julian
AU - Hussaini, Syed R.
AU - Morsy, Mohamed A.
AU - Yamani, Zain H.
PY - 2018/4/20
Y1 - 2018/4/20
N2 - Information acquisition and fluid characterization of oil reservoirs are one of the most challenging and scientifically demanding areas in the oil exploration industry. Herein, we report a single-step solvothermal method for the synthesis of highly-stable hydrophilic and hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). The functionalization of SPIONs was achieved using polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) and oleylamine (OLA) for water/oil phases of the reservoir, respectively. For comparison, uncoated SPIONs were also prepared by coprecipitation. Stability of hydrophilic SPIONs was monitored in deionized (DI) water and artificial seawater (ASW), while stability of hydrophobic SPIONs was investigated in model oil (cyclohexane-hexadecane 1:1). Several physicochemical techniques were utilized to characterize the phase and functionalization of SPIONs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images display the spherical shape nanoparticles (NPs) having particle diameters 11.6 ± 1.4, 12.7 ± 2.2, and 9.1 ± 3.0 nm for PEG-Fe3O4, OLA-Fe3O4, and Fe3O4, respectively. Spin-spin (T2) relaxation measurements were performed by an Acorn Area analyzer to demonstrate contrasting ability of the contrast agents. The transverse relaxivity (r2) values for PEG-Fe3O4 (66.7 mM−1 s−1) and OLA-Fe3O4 (49.0 mM−1 s−1) were 2.07 and 1.53 times higher than Fe3O4 (32.2 mM−1 s−1) NPs, respectively. The (i) enhanced NMR T2-relaxation with optimum SPIONs concentration, (ii) excellent relaxivity properties due to their ultra-small size, and (iii) long-term stability in various continuous phases, suggest them to be promising T2-contrast agents for oil reservoir applications.
AB - Information acquisition and fluid characterization of oil reservoirs are one of the most challenging and scientifically demanding areas in the oil exploration industry. Herein, we report a single-step solvothermal method for the synthesis of highly-stable hydrophilic and hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). The functionalization of SPIONs was achieved using polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) and oleylamine (OLA) for water/oil phases of the reservoir, respectively. For comparison, uncoated SPIONs were also prepared by coprecipitation. Stability of hydrophilic SPIONs was monitored in deionized (DI) water and artificial seawater (ASW), while stability of hydrophobic SPIONs was investigated in model oil (cyclohexane-hexadecane 1:1). Several physicochemical techniques were utilized to characterize the phase and functionalization of SPIONs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images display the spherical shape nanoparticles (NPs) having particle diameters 11.6 ± 1.4, 12.7 ± 2.2, and 9.1 ± 3.0 nm for PEG-Fe3O4, OLA-Fe3O4, and Fe3O4, respectively. Spin-spin (T2) relaxation measurements were performed by an Acorn Area analyzer to demonstrate contrasting ability of the contrast agents. The transverse relaxivity (r2) values for PEG-Fe3O4 (66.7 mM−1 s−1) and OLA-Fe3O4 (49.0 mM−1 s−1) were 2.07 and 1.53 times higher than Fe3O4 (32.2 mM−1 s−1) NPs, respectively. The (i) enhanced NMR T2-relaxation with optimum SPIONs concentration, (ii) excellent relaxivity properties due to their ultra-small size, and (iii) long-term stability in various continuous phases, suggest them to be promising T2-contrast agents for oil reservoir applications.
KW - Hydrophilic
KW - Hydrophobic
KW - Superparamagnetic
KW - Relaxometry
KW - Oil reservoir
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041529234&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.02.002
DO - 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.02.002
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
SN - 0927-7757
VL - 543
SP - 133
EP - 143
JO - Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
JF - Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
ER -