Synthesis of Fe3O4-Mn2O3 and Fe3O4-graphene oxide hybrid nanocatalyst and their effects on the electromagnetic properties and their performance on heavy hydrocarbons upgrading

Abstract

In this research for the first time, the hybrid nanocatalysts with various ratios were syntheses and the impact of the type and ratio of nanocatalyst on heavy oil upgrading was examined. For this purpose, at first, Fe3O4 was synthesized, and then 4 types of hybrids nanocatalysts using Fe3O4, Mn2O3, and reduced Graphene oxide were synthesized (with various ratios, 3:1, 2:1), and characterized. The hybrid nanocatalyst Fe3O4-Mn2O3 (ratio 2:1) was extremely efficient in reducing viscosity and heavy oil upgrading and declined the viscosity of heavy oil by 31%. Additionally, at the optimal result, a sample of crude and upgraded heavy oil was investigated and compared by FTIR and GC analysis. In the optimum sample, the aromatic and sulfoxide functional groups decreased by 21% and 72%, respectively, while the index of aliphatic groups of the alkane branch increased by 15%. In addition, Hexadecane, Nonadecane, and Octadecane compounds have experienced a 77%, 65%, and 56% decrease, respectively. Also, heavy and long chains such as C15-C20 cracked and transformed into light compounds such as C4-C7, which were not present in the heavy crude oil.