New nanotechnology-based approaches are increasingly being investigated for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), with a particular focus on heavy oil reservoirs. Typically, the addition of a polymer to an injection fluid advances the sweep efficiency and mobility ratio of the fluid and leads to a higher crude oil recovery rate. However, harsh reservoir conditions, including high formation salinity and temperature, can limit the performance of such polymer fluids. Recently, nanofluids, that is, dispersions of nanoparticles (NPs) in a base fluid, have been recommended as EOR fluids; however, such nanofluids are unstable, even under ambient conditions. In this work, a combination of ZrO2 NPs and the polyacrylamide (PAM) polymer (ZrO2 NPs–PAM) was used to formulate a novel nanopolymer injection solution for EOR applications to overcome the limitations of simple PAM solutions by the in situ reservoir conditions including high temperature and salinity. A series of measurements were comprehended at controlled pH values to measure the stability and rheological properties of NPs–PAM combinations at different temperatures, salinities, NP concentrations, and shear rates. It is depicted from the results that a higher salinity decreased the viscosity of the polymer formulation. However, ZrO2 NPs–PAM combinations reduced the effect of increased salinity on viscosity, which is essential for EOR applications. Furthermore, at low and medium shear rates, which are more relevant to the flow scenarios in oil reservoirs, ZrO2 NPs–PAM exhibited a higher viscosity than the PAM solution at the same pH and salinity. In contrast, at higher shear rates, the viscosity of ZrO2 NPs–PAM was less than that of the sole PAM solution. Mechanistically, an increased shear rate endorsed the adsorption of polymer molecules onto the surface of NPs, foremost to a lesser polymer concentration in the solution. Moreover, although ZrO2 nanodispersion was unstable at all NPs and salt concentrations, ZrO2 NPs–PAM was stable over an extensive range of salinities and temperatures. The results suggested that ZrO2 NPs–PAM is more suitable than the sole polymer or NP solutions for EOR projects.
High temperature superconductors materials with composition Bi1.6-xSbxPb0.4Sr2Ca2-yCdyCu3OZ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) and (y = 0.01 and 0.02), were prepared by using the chemical reaction in solid-state ways, and test influence of partial replacement of Bi and Ca with Sb and Cd respectively on the superconducting properties, all samples were sintered at the same temperature (850 oC) and for the same time (195 h). The structural analysis of the prepared samples was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements performed at room temperature, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dc electrical resistivity was measured as a function of temperature. It was found that the sample prepared by partial substitution of Sb at ratio (x= 0.2
... Show MoreSilver-bismuth iodide (ABI) ternary semiconductors, such as AgBi2I7, AgBiI4, Ag2BiI5, and Ag3BiI6, have emerged as promising lead-free light absorbers for photovoltaic applications due to their favorable optoelectronic properties. Despite recent advances that have improved power conversion efficiencies from ∼1% to over 5%, ABI-based solar cells still show substantial open-circuit voltage (VOC) losses of up to ∼1 V, which significantly hinder the device performance. These losses have been experimentally attributed to the non-radiative recombination originating from intrinsic defects, however, theoretical understanding of these defect mechanisms remains limited. Here, using density functional theory calculations, we systematical
... Show MoreThe present work describes guggul as a novel carrier for some anti-inflammatory drugs. Guggulusomes containing different concentration of guggul with aceclofenac were prepared by sonication method and characterized for vesicle shape, size, size-distribution, pH, viscosity, spread ability, homogeneity, and accelerated stability in-vitro drug permeation through mouse skin. The vesicles exhibited an entrapment efficiency of 93.2 ± 12%, vesicle size of 0.769 ± 3μm and a zeta potential of - 6.21mV. In vitro drug release was analyzed using Franz’s diffusion cells. The cumulative release of the guggulusomes gel (G2) was 75.8% in 18 hrs, which is greater than that all the gel formulation. The stability profile of prepare
... Show MoreWettability of CO2-brine-mineral systems plays a vital role during geological CO2-storage. Residual trapping is lower in deep saline aquifers where the CO2 is migrating through quartz rich reservoirs but CO2 accumulation within a three-way structural closure would have a high storage volume due to higher CO2 saturation in hydrophobic quartz rich reservoir rock. However, such wettability is only poorly understood at realistic subsurface conditions, which are anoxic or reducing. As a consequence of the reducing environment, the geological formations (i.e. deep saline aquifers) contain appreciable concentrations of various organic acids. We thus demonstrate here what impact traces of organic acids exposed to storage rock have on their wettabil
... Show MoreThis research set out to provide a faster, easier, and more efficient process for nanoparticle (NP) synthesis of aluminum oxide NPs preparation by microwave irradiation, using plant extracts separately and in the same way (tea, coffee, rosemary), which is an easy-to-use and inexpensive method. The structural properties were investigated by X-ray diffractometer analysis technique (XRD). The X-ray analysis shows the structure has a polycrystalline nature with a hexagonal phase. The optical properties were studied using ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectrometer, where the energy gap was determined. The surface morphology properties of the prepared aluminum NPs were examined by atomic force microscope (AFM). The Fourier transform infra
... Show MoreFilms of pure polystyrene (ps) and doped by bromothymol blue material with percentages(4%) prepared by using casting technique in room temperature , the absorption and transmission spectra has been recorded in the wavelength rang (200-900)nm and calculated refractive index , reflectivity, real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant and extinction coefficient . this study has been done by recording the absorption and transmission spectra by using spectrophotometer .
Indium Antimonide (InSb) thin films were grown onto well cleaned glass substrates at substrate temperatures (473 K) by flash evaporation. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the polycrystalline of the films and the films show preferential orientation along the (111) plane .The particle size increases with the increase of annealing time .The transmission spectra of prepared samples were found to be in the range (400-5000 cm-1 ) from FTIR study . This indicates that the crystallinity is improved in the films deposited at higher annealing time.
In the present work, a z-scan technique was used to study the nonlinear optical properties, represented by the nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficients of nanoparticles cadmium sulfide thin film. The sample was prepared by the chemical bath deposition method. Several testing were done including, x-ray, transmission and thickness of thin film. z-Scan experiment was performed at two wavelengths (1064 nm and 532 nm) and different energies. The results showed the effect of self-focusing in the material at higher intensities, which evaluated n2 to be (0.11-0.16) cm2/GW. The effect of two-photon absorption was studied, which evaluated β to be (24-106) cm/GW. In addition, the optical limiting behavior has been studied.
... Show MoreAngiogenesis is important for tissue during normal physiological processes as well as in a number of diseases, including cancer. Drug resistance is one of the largest difficulties to antiangiogenesis therapy. Due to their lower cytotoxicity and stronger pharmacological advantage, phytochemical anticancer medications have a number of advantages over chemical chemotherapeutic drugs. In the current study, the effectiveness of AuNPs, AuNPs-GAL, and free galangin as an antiangiogenesis agent was evaluated. Different physicochemical and molecular approaches have been used including the characterization, cytotoxicity, scratch wound healing assay, and gene expression of VEGF and ERKI in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Re
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