Functionalized Nanoparticles for Stable High-Ionic-Strength Suspensions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nanoparticles in high-ionic-strength liquids tend to aggregate and settle due to reduced electrical double layer stability, leading to unstable dispersions, which is a challenge in various applications including oil and gas, biomedical, and environmental fields.

Innovation Solution

Functionalizing silica and alumina nanoparticles with an organosilicon group having a molecular weight of at least 200, providing steric stabilization and increasing their stability in suspensions by bonding the functional group to the nanoparticles' surfaces, thereby enhancing their physical and chemical stability in high-ionic-strength liquids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If nanoparticles are dispersed in high-ionic-strength liquids, then the liquid can be used in practical applications (biomedical, environmental, oil and gas), but the nanoparticles aggregate and settle due to reduced electrical double layer stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability in high-ionic-strength environmentsVSAvoidnanoparticle dispersion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an organosilicon functional group as an intermediary layer between the nanoparticle surface and the high-ionic-strength liquid environment. This functional group provides steric stabilization that mediates the interaction between nanoparticles and the challenging liquid environment, preventing aggregation while maintaining applicability in practical high-ionic-strength applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the nanoparticle surface by functionalizing with organosilicon groups having specific molecular weights (at least 200). This parameter change transforms the surface properties to provide steric stabilization, enabling the nanoparticles to maintain dispersion stability in high-ionic-strength liquids where unfunctionalized particles would aggregate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the ionic strength of the liquid is increased for practical applications, then the liquid can handle challenging environments, but the electrical double layer shrinks and repulsive forces decrease causing aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability in challenging environmentsVSAvoidrepulsive force between nanoparticles

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The organosilicon functional group acts as a physical intermediary that provides steric repulsion between nanoparticles, replacing the insufficient electrical repulsion that occurs in high-ionic-strength environments. This intermediary layer maintains separation forces even when the electrical double layer is compressed by high ionic strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electrical stabilization mechanism (which fails in high ionic strength) with a steric stabilization mechanism provided by the organosilicon functional groups. This replacement of the stabilization mechanism allows nanoparticles to maintain repulsive forces through physical barrier effects rather than electrical repulsion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If temperature is increased to enhance process performance, then kinetic energy increases and reactions accelerate, but particle collisions become more frequent and energetic causing electrical double layer disruption and aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess performanceVSAvoidnanoparticle suspension stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The organosilicon functional groups provide a pre-established protective barrier on the nanoparticle surfaces before thermal agitation occurs. This beforehand cushioning in the form of steric stabilization prevents the aggregation that would otherwise result from high-energy collisions at elevated temperatures, allowing process performance enhancement without sacrificing suspension stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of manufacture

If unfunctionalized nanoparticles are used to simplify the system, then the system is easier to manufacture, but the nanoparticles precipitate in high-ionic-strength liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of nanoparticle preparationVSAvoidsuspension stability in practical applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by functionalizing the nanoparticle surfaces with organosilicon groups during the manufacturing process. This preliminary modification ensures that the nanoparticles are pre-equipped with stabilization capabilities before being deployed in practical applications, preventing precipitation issues that would arise with unfunctionalized particles while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The functionalized nanoparticles exhibit increased stability, with at least 50-90% remaining suspended in high-ionic-strength liquids at elevated temperatures for extended periods, compared to unfunctionalized nanoparticles which precipitate out, demonstrating improved chemical and physical stability.

Implementation Method 1

Functionalizing silica and alumina nanoparticles with an organosilicon group having a molecular weight of at least 200, providing steric stabilization and increasing their stability in suspensions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteric stabilization:

Implementation Method 2

Solid surfaces exposed to a liquid exhibit a structure referred to in the art as an electrical double layer, in which two layers of oppositely charged particles (e.g., ions and electrons) cover the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical double layer:

Implementation Method 3

Because repulsive forces generally limit the rate of aggregation of nanoparticles, large ionic strengths of the liquid therefore allow attractive van der Waals forces between nanoparticles to dominate their movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVan der Waals forces: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 4

With an increase in temperature, the kinetic energy of suspensions increases, which leads to more frequent and higher-energy particle collisions, which further disrupt the electrical double layer and cause nanoparticles to aggregate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal kinetic energy:

Data Source

PatentUS11305251B2Methods including functionalizing nanoparticles and forming suspensions

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A composition of matter includes a liquid and nanoparticles suspended in the liquid. The nanoparticles each include silica, alumina, and an organosilicon functional group having a molecular weight of at least 200. A method includes functionalizing a surface of nanoparticles with an organosilicon functional group and dispersing the nanoparticles in a liquid to form a suspension. The functional group has a molecular weight of at least 200. The nanoparticles each include silica and alumina at a surface thereof.