Study on Synthesis and Properties of Gemini Surfactant Used as Viscoelastic Surfactant (VES)

Abstract

As one kind of the new surfactants with novel structure, higher surface activity, lower critical micelle concentration, and lower Krafft point, the quaternary ammonium gemini surfactants have a promising application prospect in viscoelastic surfactant (VES). In this paper, one kind of viscoelastic cationic gemini surfactant was synthesized through using N,N-dimethyl-1, 3-propane diamine, octadecanoic acid, and 1,4-dibromobutane. The molecular structure of the surfactant was characterized by ¹H NMR, the self-assembly structure was observed by atomic force microscopy, and the viscoelasticity behavior was measured through rheological measurements. The study shows that the gemini surfactant can form self-assembled structures in single system, and the molecular self-assembly driven by the non-covalent interactions can provide the foundation for building well-defined structures in the nanometer or micrometer length scale. In addition, stable viscoelastic behavior was observed in the surfactant system, with strong binding energy and electrostatic interactions. This work can reveal the interaction mechanism between the molecules and the synergistic interactions of various non-covalent forces at molecular level, which is significant to study the viscoelastic surfactant used in clean fracturing fluid.

Copyright 2017, Shaanxi Petroleum Society.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2017 International Field Exploration and Development Conference in Chengdu, China, 21–22 September 2017.

This paper was selected for presentation by the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee, its members. Papers presented at the Conference are subject to publication review by Professional Committee of Petroleum Engineering of Shaanxi Petroleum Society. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper for commercial purposes without the written consent of Shaanxi Petroleum Society is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of IFEDC&IPPTC. Contact email: paper@ifedc.org or paper@ipptc.org.