Preparation, Characterization of Janus GO, and Its Interfacial Synergies with Surfactants in Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery

Abstract In this work, Janus graphene oxide (JRGO) was synthesized through a simple interface modification method to enhance oil recovery. The JRGO nanosheets were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer technology (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, the interface properties of JRGO were evaluated by interfacial tension (IFT), wettability alteration, and emulsion stability. Due to the amphiphilic Janus structure, JRGO possesses superior interfacial tension (IFT) reduction capacity compared with pristine GO, and it can effectively convert oil-wet solid surfaces to water-wet ones. In addition, the interaction of JRGO with different surfactants, including anionic surfactants (SDBS), nonionic surfactants (AEO), and zwitterionic surfactants (EAB), was investigated. Experimental verification confirms that the synergistic effect of the JRGO/EAB system reduces IFT to 3.9 × 10–3 mN/m, and the wettability alteration ability is further improved. Therefore, the synergistic effect of JRGO and EAB can be used as an efficient system to enhance oil recovery.