In this research article, novel polymer nanocomposites
poly(2-ethylhexyl
acrylate)–graphene oxide [P(2-EHA)–GO] were developed
(with 0.5–2 wt % GO concentrations) by in situ free-radical
polymerization and were characterized using several analytical techniques
to confirm the formation of nanocomposites. Subsequently, when doped
in crude oil, beneficiation was observed in pour point and rheological
parameters of a selected waxy crude oil, thus evaluating them as potential
pour point depressants (PPDs). An optimized amount of GO (1 wt %)
in nanocomposite results in improved flow characteristics of crude
oil, providing a notable 18 °C depression in the pour point and
upto 99% reduction in its apparent viscosity (down to 0.01 Pa s).
Comparison of its beneficiation effect with P(2-EHA), the base polymeric
PPD, indicated a superior performance using nanocomposite PPDs which
was mainly attributed to a proposed pour point depression mechanism,
according to which the GO sheets act as nucleation sites upon which
wax crystal precipitates, helping polymeric chains to cocrystallize
with these wax molecules and thereby avoiding the formation of a wax
interlocking network. Additionally, the nanocomposite PPDs improved
the restart flowability of crude oil, causing upto a substantial 17.8
°C reduction in its gelation point. Moreover, they exhibited
better control over the aging effect in crude oils than P(2-EHA) and
even better than the previously synthesized nanocomposite poly(methyl
methacrylate)–GO upto 15 and 30 days. Overall, this study provides
new insights into the physical nature of graphene–wax interactions
and illustrates the resultant wax morphology modifications, which
would help in the development and application of numerous graphene-based
products for the flow assurance community of the researchers and the
petroleum industry.
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