Synthesis and characterization of magnetic graphene oxide: nanomaterial to reduce heavy oil viscosity

Abstract

In this work, the synthesis of graphene oxide was carried out by the modified Hummers method, then ferromagnetic nanoparticles were added by a bottom-up route, after which the material was washed to purify it and freeze-dried to obtain dry particles. The material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy to obtain information about the bands associated with graphene oxide and magnetite, scanning electron microscopy was performed where it is observed how the graphene oxide flake loses its folded veil character and finally a thermogravimetric analysis as a complementary technique to determine the thermal behavior of the material where a peak of degradation was obtained at 749 °C, Additionally, a test of irradiation of the material in a microwave and in a commercial rheometer was carried out, which showed an increase in temperature that modified the viscosity value by 80%.