Petroleum Science >2026, Issue6: 3519-3538 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2026.02.017
Green-synthesized zinc quantum dots from parsley leaves for enhanced oil recovery: Improving IFT, wettability, and oil recovery performance Open Access
文章信息
作者:Sarkar Muheedin Hama, Jagar A. Ali, Abbas Khaksar Manshad
作者单位:
投稿时间:
引用方式:Hama, S.M., Ali, J.A., Manshad, A.K., 2026. Green-synthesized zinc quantum dots from parsley leaves for enhanced oil recovery: Improving IFT, wettability, and oil recovery performance. Petrol. Sci. 23 (6), 3519–3538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2026.02.017.
文章摘要
Nanotechnology has attracted significant attention in recent decades due to its diverse applications, particularly in chemical enhanced oil recovery (cEOR). By reducing fluid–fluid interfacial tension (IFT) and oil–rock contact angle (CA), nanomaterials offer a promising approach to improving oil recovery. This study explores the application of green-synthesized zinc quantum dots (Zn-QDs)—with an average size of approximately 10 nm and derived from parsley leaves—for EOR applications. The synthesized Zn-QDs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanofluids were prepared by dispersing Zn-QDs in formation water and distilled water at concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 ppm. The stability and quality of the nanofluids were assessed by measuring key properties such as pH, density, and conductivity. Experimental evaluations, including IFT, CA, emulsion stability, and oil recovery tests, confirmed the effectiveness of these nanofluids. FW1-1-300 nanofluid, prepared by dispersing 300 ppm of nanodots in formation water, reduced the IFT significantly from 28.51 to 8.06 mN/m. Meanwhile, FW1:5-300 and FW1:15-400 were the most effective nanofluids for altering carbonate and sandstone wettability towards a strongly water-wet state, achieving CA values of 29.5° and 36°, respectively. Stability analysis indicated that lower concentrations of Zn-QDs provided better dispersion stability. In contrast, higher concentrations resulted in a significant reduction in droplet size, leading to the formation of a stable emulsion of crude oil and the injection solution. Ultimately, the green-synthesized nanodots enhanced the ultimate oil recovery by 22.28% of the original oil in place (OOIP) for carbonate rocks and 18.03% OOIP for sandstone rocks. These recovery rates represent a substantial improvement over the baseline water flooding recovery factors of 49.24% and 49.18% for carbonate and sandstone formations, respectively.
关键词
-
Quantum dots; Interfacial tension; Green synthesis; Wettability enhancement; Enhanced oil recovery; Sustainable nanodots