Preparation and Application of Laponite®-Based Amphiphilic Janus Nanosheets for Enhanced Oil Recovery

In this study, the interfacial reaction method was used to modify the laponite particles using 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and octadecylamine, and the structure, morphology, and displacement performance tests of the modified particles were carried out. Elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy are used to characterize the structure and morphology of the modified particles, and the results showed that laponite particles had been successfully modified. Results of the study indicated that Laponite®-based amphiphilic janus nanosheets (LAS) can accumulate at the interface, reduce the interfacial tension from 14.9 to 9.6 mN/m, and have a good emulsification effect for a long time. Second, the wettability alteration exhibited by LAS can change the wettability of the rock from oil-wet to water-wet. In addition, oil displacement experiments showed that LAS nanofluids can extract 11.6% at low concentration, which has a certain application potential.