Characterizing the crosslinking process of borate and hydroxypropyl guar gum by diffusing wave spectroscopy

Abstract

This study characterizes the crosslinking process of borate and hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) gel by employing the diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) technique. We demonstrate that the crosslinking process of borate and HPG gel can be characterized into three stages, and the transition from liquid-like to gel-like state mainly occurs in the middle stage. Also, the transition is primarily associated with the chemical bonding of the intermolecular 2:1 complex. We further establish the relationships of viscoelastic properties and gelation time with borate and HPG concentration. This work provides insights into the physics behind the crosslinking of borate and HPG gels. Our findings might also help guide the optimization of fracturing treatments in field practices.