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Wettability alteration at a water-wet quartz surface by a novel trimeric surfactant: Experimental and theoretical study

Journal of Molecular Liquids, ISSN: 0167-7322, Vol: 354, Page: 118771
2022
  • 21
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 5
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    21
    • Citation Indexes
      21
  • Captures
    5

Article Description

Wettability alteration is a crucial method to mitigate water blockage damage in tight oil reservoirs. Novel star-shaped trimeric cationic surfactant, namely 3C 22 quinQ comprising three long-tailed quaternary ammonium surfactants, was synthesized and investigated as a new highly effective wetting alternation agent. This paper focuses on the adsorption behavior and the ability of 3C 22 quinQ to alter wettability of water-wet quartz surface. The contact angle data of the solid–liquid interface in an oil/water/solid three-phase system reveal that, as compared to monomeric and Gemini cationic surfactants, 3C 22 quinQ is a more effective wetting agent for water-wet quartz surfaces at lower concentrations. SEM-EDS analysis and AFM measurements showed that the formation of surfactant adsorption on the quartz surface and the adsorption layer was mostly responsible for the wettability change. DFT analysis revealed the propensity to accept electrons and favorable interaction between 3C 22 quinQ and silica, and that the head group region containing quaternary ammonium ions was adsorption active site. MD simulations showed 3C 22 quinQ was adsorbed on the quartz surface spontaneously by calculating adsorption energy, and the bilayer adsorption structure of 3C 22 quinQ was acquired at the silica surface. Combination of experimental and theoretical results inferred that the wettability properties of quartz surface were determined by charge numbers of head group and hydrophobic interaction of tail chains. This work has the potential to provide insight on the development and design of highly effective wettability alternating agent.

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