Effect of Functionalized Nanomaterials on the Rheology of Borate Cross-Linked Guar Gum

This study provides an insight into the effect of incorporating nanoparticles on the rheology of fracturing fluids. Vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) are first coated with silica and subsequently functionalized with octadecyltrichlorosilane groups. These coated and functionalized fibers are then added to a fracturing fluid gel. XPS and rheological measurements are performed to understand the interactions and effects of VGCFs coated with silica and functionalized with silane group on the viscosity and storage modulus of the fracturing gels at three different pHs: 8.6, 9.3, and 10.3. The addition of the ODS−SiO2−VGCF to the guar gels exhibits an interaction with the gels only at a lower pH than typically used for fracturing fluids. While the presence of ODS−SiO2−VGCF minimally increases the storage modulus of the guar gels, under shear-induced conditions, gels which contain ODS−SiO2−VGCF behave similarly to the plain guar gels, displaying no permanent damage to the gels under the applied shear. The presence...