Synthesis, interfacial activity and rheological properties of low interfacial tension viscoelastic Gemini surfactants

Abstract

In order to develop a special surfactant that is suitable for improving oil recovery in low permeability reservoirs, and simultaneously meet the requirements of effectively improving sweep efficiency, displacement efficiency and good injectability, a series of new Gemini surfactants (GAC-3m, m = 14, 16, 18) were synthesized and characterized by FTIR and 1 HNMR. The surface activity, interfacial activity, thickening properties and viscoelasticity of GAC-3m solution were systematically studied. The mechanism of viscosity and elasticity enhancement were also discussed. The results showed that with increasing the carbon number of hydrophobic chain, the surface activity and interface activity of GAC-3m surfactant increased first and then decreased, the viscosity and elasticity gradually increased. The micelle microstructures changed from sheet to network-like, and the structural morphology was gradually complete and compact, which made the viscosity and elasticity of the GAC-3m surfactant solution increase. GAC-3m exhibit fascinating surface activity, interfacial activity and low values of CMC (<4.5 × 10 −4 mol/L), which is conducive to the formation of micelle structure at low concentration. The 0.5% GAC-316 solution can substantially reduce the oil-water interfacial tension to ultralow values (10 −3 mN/m), and also possess attractive viscosity (18.58 mPa s) and viscoelastic properties (tanδ = 0.5 < 1). In accordance with the experimental studies, the novel surfactants (GAC-3m) are a kind of low interfacial tension viscoelastic Gemini surfactant, promising in enhancing the recovery of low permeability reservoirs. The insights gained from this study contribute to enriching the theoretical research of the viscoelastic Gemini surfactant and promote the applications of low interfacial tension viscoelastic Gemini surfactant in the recovery of heterogeneous low permeability reservoirs fields. • A series of new carboxylate Gemini surfactants GAC-3m were synthesized and characterized by FTIR and 1 HNMR. • The interfacial activity, thickening property, viscoelasticity and thickening mechanism of GAC-3m solution were studied. • GAC-3m exhibit fascinating surface activity and low CMC, which is conducive to forming micelle structure at low concentration. • GAC-316 can reduce the interfacial tension to ultralow values, and also possesses attractive viscosity and viscoelasticity. • GAC-3m possess favorable shear-thinning behavior which is desirable for improving mobility control during EOR processes.