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Updated: Jan 27, 2026
10:16
Production and Targeting of Monovalent Quantum Dots
Published on: October 23, 2014
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Carbon quantum dots with tracer-like breakthrough ability for reservoir characterization
Zhongliang Hu1, Hui Gao2, Srinivasa B Ramisetti3
1School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
The Science of the Total Environment
|March 20, 2019
Summary
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) show promise as nanoparticle tracers for enhanced oil recovery. These CQDs can migrate through reservoirs and detect oil saturation, overcoming limitations of current methods.
Area of Science:
- Petroleum Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Growing demand for oil and gas necessitates advanced reservoir characterization.
- Existing methods like well logs and seismic surveys have limitations in range and resolution.
- Tertiary recovery and nonconventional resources are increasingly crucial for future supply.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as novel nanoparticle tracers for reservoir characterization.
- To evaluate the migration and sensing capabilities of CQDs in porous media.
- To demonstrate CQDs' potential for quantitative oil saturation detection.
Main Methods:
- Hydrothermal synthesis of CQDs from Xylose.
- Assessment of CQD stability in high ionic strength solutions.
- Migration studies in glass beads, sandstone cores, and calcite-packed columns.
- On-line UV-Vis spectroscopy and off-line Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for tracer analysis.
- Oil saturation detection using CQD breakthrough properties.
Main Results:
- CQDs exhibit excellent stability and durable absorbance/fluorescence.
- CQDs demonstrate tracer-like migration in glass beads and sandstone, unaffected by concentration or ionic strength.
- CQD migration is hindered by positively charged calcite grains.
- Quantitative oil saturation in sandstone cores can be determined using CQDs.
Conclusions:
- Carbon quantum dots offer a pioneering approach to reservoir characterization.
- CQDs function as effective nanoparticle tracers with sensing capabilities.
- The technology shows potential for improving oil recovery and resource assessment.
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