Environmental-Friendly, Long-Lastingly Moist Phase Change Gel with Tunable Cross-Linking Time for Effective Borehole...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Geotechnical Engineering

Background:

• Conventional borehole sealing materials often lack cost-effectiveness, optimal reaction temperatures, mold resistance, and long-term sealing performance.
• Developing advanced materials for high-performance borehole sealing remains a critical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a flexible phase-change gel with tunable cross-linking time, antimicrobial properties, degradability, and long-lasting moist performance for borehole sealing.
• To address the limitations of existing borehole sealing materials.

Main Methods:

• A facile approach was used to create a composite phase-change gel from a modified cellulose gel polymer network.
• The gel's cross-linking time, water retentiveness, and antimicrobial properties were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The prepared phase change gel exhibits adjustable cross-linking times (30-60 min), suitable for various drilling parameters.
• The gel demonstrates reliable water retention and significant antimicrobial ability, ensuring prolonged sealing effectiveness.
• The environmental phase change gel (EPCG) showed excellent sealing and gas extraction performance in borehole applications.

Conclusions:

• This study presents a novel, environmentally friendly composite phase-change gel for effective borehole sealing.
• The developed gel offers tunable properties, enhanced durability, and improved sealing capabilities.
• This work provides a pathway for advanced borehole sealing materials with tunable cross-linking, antimicrobial function, and sustained moisture performance.