Salinity-Induced Stability Transitions of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications

International Journal of Applied Physics

© 2025 by SSRG - IJAP Journal

Volume 12 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Muhammad Hamza, Musa Momoh, Faruk Sani, and Lawal Sa’ad

10.14445/23500301/IJAP-V12I2P103

How to Cite?

Muhammad Hamza, Musa Momoh, Faruk Sani, and Lawal Sa’ad, "Salinity-Induced Stability Transitions of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications," SSRG International Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 12,  no. 2, pp. 15-24, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23500301/IJAP-V12I2P103

Abstract:

In order to assess the behavior of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles for possible use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), this study examines their dispersion stability under varying salinity (0.1–2.0 M) and concentration (0.01–3.0 wt%). At 0.1 M ionic strength, SiO₂ nanoparticles showed good stability, especially below 1 wt%, where electrostatic repulsion was maintained (zeta potential: –9.52 to –15.02 mV) and sedimentation was mild. Larger hydrodynamic diameters (up to 895.88 nm) and noticeable sedimentation, particularly at higher concentrations, were the result of ionic charge screening, which caused zeta potentials to decrease as salinity rose to 1.0 M and 2.0 M. These patterns supported a gradual destabilization brought on by a decrease in electrostatic repulsion. However, because of their larger size and intrinsic positive surface charge, Al₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibited different behavior. While increasing concentration at 0.1 M resulted in early aggregation and sedimentation, it improved surface charge (zeta potential: +7.92 to +15.20 mV). Higher ionic strength compressed the electrical double layer at 1.0 and 2.0 M, causing severe aggregation and sedimentation at all concentrations, even though zeta potentials remained high (+12.5 to +21.2 mV). Significantly, this shows that zeta potential alone is not a reliable indicator of stability in high salinity systems. Overall, although both nanoparticles show some dispersion stability at low concentrations (≤0.1 wt%) and salinity, stability decreases with ionic strength due to van der Waals attraction, double-layer compression, and charge screening. Surface modification or salinity control is needed for performance in high-salinity EOR.

Keywords:

Aggregation, Alumina nanoparticles, Enhanced oil recovery, Interfacial tension, Silica nanoparticles.

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