Reducing adsorption of hydroxypropyl guar gum on sandstone by silicon nanoparticles

Recent Advances in Transparent Electrodes and Their Multimodal Sensing Applications

This review examines the recent advancements in transparent electrodes and their crucial role in multimodal sensing technologies. Transparent electrodes, notable for their optical transparency and electrical conductivity, are revolutionizing sensors by enabling the simultaneous detection of diverse physical, chemical, and biological signals. Materials like graphene, carbon nanotubes, and conductive polymers, which offer a balance between optical transparency, electrical conductivity, and mechanical flexibility, are at the forefront of this development. These electrodes are integral in various applications, from healthcare to solar cell technologies, enhancing sensor performance in complex environments. The paper addresses challenges in applying these electrodes, such as the need for mechanical flexibility, high optoelectronic performance, and biocompatibility. It explores new materials and innovative techniques to overcome these hurdles, aiming to broaden the capabilities of multimodal sensing devices. The review provides a comparative analysis of different transparent electrode materials, discussing their applications and the ongoing development of novel electrode systems for multimodal sensing. This exploration offers insights into future advancements in transparent electrodes, highlighting their transformative potential in bioelectronics and multimodal sensing technologies.

Multifunctional Borax Cross-Linked Hydroxypropyl Guar Gum Hydrogels with Crop Nutritional Function as Carriers for Dual-Responsive Acaricide Release

Hydrogels with porous networks have received considerable attention in smart pesticide delivery due to their inherent versatility. In this study, acaricide cyetpyrafen (CPF)-loaded borax (BO) cross-linked hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) (CPF@BO-co-HPG, CBG) hydrogels were prepared by cross-linking and pesticide loading simultaneously. The flowable CBG hydrogels with 3D porous network structures had better wetting and spreading ability on Citrus reticulata Blanco leaves and a hydrophobic interface. The nonflowable CBG hydrogels had pH- and temperature-responsive release properties. Meanwhile, the acaricidal efficacy of CBG against Panonychus citri (McGregor) at both 24 and 48 h was significantly higher than those of CPF-loaded BO-free HPG hydrogels. Furthermore, CBG had a nutritional function for cotton growth and environmental safety for zebrafish. This research developed a BO cross-linked HPG hydrogel as a smart pesticide delivery vehicle and crop nutrient replenishment, which can be widely applied in sustainable agriculture.

Application of Hydrogels and Hydrocarbon-Based Gels in Oil Production Processes and Well Drilling

The use of gels in oil production processes has become a regular practice in oilfield operations and is constantly developing in all oil-producing countries of the world, as evidenced by the growth of publications and patent activity on this topic. Many oil production processes, such as hydraulic fracturing, conformance control, water, and gas shutoff, cannot be imagined without the use of gel technologies. Inorganic, organic, and hybrid gels are used, as well as foams, gel-forming, and gel-dispersed systems. The possibility of a broad control of structural and mechanical properties, thermal stability, and shear resistance by introducing microscale and nanoscale additives made hydrogels and hydrocarbon-based gels indispensable tools for oil engineers.

Development and Evaluation from Laboratory to Field Trial of a Dual-Purpose Fracturing Nanofluid: Inhibition of Associated Formation Damage and Increasing Heavy Crude Oil Mobility

This study aims to develop and evaluate fracturing nanofluids from the laboratory to the field trial with the dual purpose of increasing heavy crude oil mobility and reducing formation damage caused by the remaining fracturing fluid (FF). Two fumed silica nanoparticles of different sizes, and alumina nanoparticles were modified on the surface through basic and acidic treatments. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential and total acidity. The rheological behavior of the linear gel and the heavy crude oil after adding different chemical nature nanoparticles were measured at two concentrations of 100 and 1000 mg/L. Also, the contact angle assessed the alteration of the rock wettability. The nanoparticle with better performance was the raw fumed silica of 7 nm at 1000 mg/L. These were employed to prepare a fracturing nanofluid from a commercial FF. Both fluids were evaluated through their rheological behavior as a function of time at high pressure following the API RP39 test, and spontaneous imbibition tests were carried out to assess the FF’s capacity to modify the wettability of the porous media. It was possible to conclude that the inclusion of 7 nm commercial silica nanoparticles allowed obtaining a reduction of 10 and 20% in the two breakers used in the commercial fracture fluid formulation without altering the rheological properties of the system. Displacement tests were also performed on proppant and rock samples at reservoir conditions of overburden and pore pressures of 3200 and 1200 psi, respectively, while the temperature was set at 77 °C and the flow rate at 0.3 cm³/min. According to the effective oil permeability, a decrease of 31% in the damage was obtained. Based on these results, the fracturing nanofluid was selected and used in the first worldwide field application in a Colombian oil field with a basic sediment and water (BSW%) of 100 and without oil production. After two weeks of the hydraulic fracture operation, crude oil was produced. Finally, one year after this work, crude oil viscosity and BSW% kept showing reductions near 75% and 33%, respectively; and having passed two years, the cumulative incremental oil production is around 120,000 barrels.

Processing Guar Gum into polyester fabric based promising mixed matrix membrane for water treatment

A reactive and mechano-chemically stable support was prepared from Ag-nanoparticles decorated polyester fabric which was subsequently coated by a casting solution containing polyvinylidene fluoride matrix, guar gum (GG) exo-polysaccharide hydrophilic agent, and UiO-66 filler. FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR, water contact angle technique, and mechanical stability tests were applied to characterize the prepared membranes. The water contact angle measurements indicated the hydrophilicity of the prepared membrane which can be attributed to the nature of bio-GG and UiO-66. The prepared membrane was employed for purifying contaminated waters containing N-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and congo-red (CR) dye through a cross-module set-up. The central composite design was also exploited to study the effect of operational parameters such as CTAB and CR concentration, pH solution, and pressure on the removal efficiency. Particularly, the bio-based GG/UiO-66 dispersion showed excellent self-healing properties, which enabled an effective pollutant separation ability and facilitated the recyclability/sustainability of the as-prepared membrane.