O/W emulsions stabilized with γ-alumina nanostructures for chemical enhanced oil recovery

We have successfully prepared O/W emulsions stabilized with γ-Al2O3 nanostructures for chemical enhanced oil recovery (C-EOR). In this paper, γ-Al2O3 nanostructures with different morphology and surface area were prepared by a very simple and economical wet chemical method. The as-preparedγ-Al2O3 nanostructures were used for emulsion preparation with other ingredients such as water, suitable surfactant, n-decane and 2-propanol. It is observed that cationic surfactants (CTAB) are superior to the anionic (SDBS) and non-ionic (TX-100) surfactants and have suitable stability in different temperatures. Therefore, the as-prepared O/W emulsion can be used in chemical enhanced oil recovery (C-EOR) especially for the carbonate reservoirs.

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► We have successfully prepared O/W emulsions stabilized with γ-Al2O3 nanostructures.
► γ-Al2O3 nanostructures were prepared by economical wet chemical method.
► γ-Alumina nanorods can form the most stable emulsion.
► Cationic surfactant (CTAB) can form the most stable emulsion.
► The as-prepared O/W emulsion can be used in C-EOR.