Synthesis, characterization, and rheological behavior of HPG graft poly (AM-co-AMPS)/GO nanocomposite hydrogel system for enhanced oil recovery

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the synthesis of graft copolymer nanocomposite based on hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) graft acrylamide (AM) and 2-acryloamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), reinforced with graphene oxide (GO), and study its suitability for the development of the copolymer-based hydrogel systems by chromium triacetate crosslinker to use in oil recovery applications. The characterization outcomes acknowledged the grafting of AM and AMPS onto HPG in the attendance of the GO. The uniform dispersion of GO at 0.1 wt.% was observed in the morphology analysis. Moreover, not only the viscosity but also, the storage and loss modulus of graft copolymer nanocomposites hydrogel improved by adding GO. The effect of graft copolymer nanocomposite and crosslinker concentrations on the performance of hydrogel was also evaluated and optimized by a rheological test. These results showed the outstanding performance of crosslinked hydrogel structure of HPG-g-poly (AM-co-AMPS)/GO, owing to the linking of AM with AMPS and grafting on the HPG chains and the surface of GO in attendance of chromium triacetate. This makes the copolymer hydrogel system more stable against salinity, shearing, and high temperatures. Therefore, this nanocomposite hydrogel system is potentially useful for oil recovery applications.