Effect of Engineered Nanoparticles on Enhancement of Composite Properties Relevant to Oilfield Applications

Materials with enhanced properties permitting operations under increasingly harsh conditions such as high pressure, high temperature, high salinity, and sour environments are in critical need for the oil industry. The recent progress in composite materials has been facilitated by engineered nanoparticles dispersed or in situ generated in different matrix media. The cases representing examples considered in this paper include elastomers filled with carbon nanotubes, both in as-received and surface-functionalized compositions; metal matrix composites with added diamond nanoparticles; and scintillating glass ceramic nanocomposites. New nanocomposite materials prepared, characterized, and tested demonstrate enhanced mechanical and optical properties, as well as improved thermal and chemical stability, in line with requirements for demanding oilfield applications.