Preparation of ZnO-MWCNTS nanocomposite: structural features and applications for enhanced oil recovery

Abstract

Since last few decades, the importance of tertiary oil recovery is increasing day by day. Quest for novel hydrophobic materials compatible to oil for enhanced recovery using electromagnetic is the major focus in this field. In the present study, we present ZnO-MWCNT nanocomposite prepared using sol-gel technique for the application of enhanced oil recovery. XRD analysis shows that average particle size in the range of 30-39 nm. Morphology analysis showed that ZnO are coated on the surface of the MWCNT. Vibrational analysis indicated that ZnO-MWCNT nanocomposite exhibited E2 (high) mode of ZnO and G (sp2 carbon) bands of MWCNTs and intense sharp peak of Zn-O stretching bond. A 11.11% of oil recovery was observed using ZnO-MWCNT composite nanofluid. This recovery further enhanced to 16.10% under the effect of electromagnetic field. Therefore, this novel material can be used to enhance oil recovery with application of EM waves. [Received: September 7, 2017; Accepted: March 28, 2018]