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Synergistic Epichlorohydrin-Crosslinked Carboxymethyl Xylan for Enhanced Thermal Stability and Filtration Control in
Yutong Li1, Fan Zhang1, Bo Wang2
1School of Petroleum Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an 710065, China.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Environmentally friendly drilling fluids using epichlorohydrin-crosslinked carboxymethyl xylan (ECX) show enhanced thermal stability and performance. This novel polysaccharide-based polymer offers improved rheology, reduced fluid loss, and effective friction reduction in high-temperature applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Petroleum Engineering
Background:
- Renewable polysaccharide polymers offer potential for eco-friendly drilling fluids.
- Existing polysaccharide-based fluids lack sufficient thermal stability and colloidal compatibility for industrial use.
- High-temperature drilling operations require advanced fluid formulations for efficiency and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel crosslinked polysaccharide for high-temperature drilling fluids.
- To evaluate the thermal stability, rheological properties, and performance of the modified polymer in drilling fluid formulations.
- To assess the environmental impact and biodegradability of the developed material.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of epichlorohydrin-crosslinked carboxymethyl xylan (ECX) via covalent crosslinking and hydrophilic functionalization.
- Characterization using FT-IR, XRD, TGA/DSC, zeta potential measurements, rheological testing, tribological tests, and SEM.
- Performance evaluation in water-based drilling fluid slurries under dynamic aging at 150 °C.
Main Results:
- ECX exhibited increased glass transition temperature (+10 °C) and crystallinity (+15%), forming a stable 3D network.
- ECX-modified fluids showed enhanced colloidal stability (zeta potential -52 mV), improved yield point (+620%), and reduced fluid loss (71.6%).
- Formulations maintained significant rheological performance (70%) and filtration control (57.5%) after aging at 150 °C, with up to 68.2% friction reduction.
Conclusions:
- Epichlorohydrin-crosslinked carboxymethyl xylan (ECX) offers superior thermal stability and performance for drilling fluids.
- The molecular engineering approach successfully enhanced gel microstructure and macroscopic function for harsh environments.
- ECX demonstrates high biodegradability and low aquatic toxicity, presenting a sustainable alternative for industrial applications.
