Influence of Gemini Surfactant with Modified TiO2 Nanoparticles on the Interfacial Tension of Oil/Water

Abstract

The research on the impacts of modified TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on interfacial tension (IFT) is in its infancy. Our work focuses on the IFT of the modified TiO2 and Gemini surfactant N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-N,N′-dimyristyl-1,2-ethane diammonium dichlone (YND1233) complex solutions for reservoir stimulation purposes. The factors of YND1233, modified TiO2 NPs, temperature, aging stability, adsorption loss, and mineralized degree were explored with the comparison of unmodified TiO2 NPs and YND1233 as contrast samples. The results indicate that the dynamic IFTs decrease and then increase with the concentrations of YND1233 and modified TiO2 NPs, and the minimum IFT appears at 0.200 and 0.010 wt%, respectively. YND1233/modified TiO2 complex solutions show lower and more stable IFTs, better temperature resistance, longer aging time, and lower adsorption on the surface of quartz sand. The modified TiO2 NPs and YND1233 in the YND1233/modified TiO2 complex solution can be adsorbed to the interface and decrease the IFTs through synergistic effect. A mixed diffusion-kinetic mechanism is provided for the adsorption and interactions with Ca2+/Mg2+ involved in YND1233/modified TiO2 complex solution.