Investigation of the Interfacial Mechanism of SDS-MoS₂ Nanosheets for Enhanced Oil Displacement

With the continuous advancement of nanotechnology, nanofluid flooding has become a widely adopted method in the development of oil and gas fields, recognized for its economic viability and efficiency in oil displacement. However, challenges remain regarding nano-oil displacement materials, including low interfacial activity and an ambiguous interfacial mechanism. Therefore, it is crucial to construct nanomaterials with high interfacial activity and investigate their interfacial mechanisms. In this study, we successfully constructed functionalized MoS₂ nanosheets characterized by high interfacial activity (SDS-MoS₂). The SDS-MoS₂ nanosheets exhibited superior interfacial properties, emulsification capabilities, climbing film effects, and oil displacement efficiencies. When a dispersion of the nanosheets at a concentration of 0.01 wt % is injected at 3 pore volumes (PV), the enhanced oil recovery can achieve 18.05%. Based on these findings, the interfacial interaction mechanism of SDS-MoS₂ nanosheets was elucidated through microscopic visual displacement experiments. This research aims to provide theoretical insights into synthesizing high interfacial activity nano-oil displacement materials, analyzing their oil–water interface mechanisms, and advancing the practical application of these materials in oilfield settings.