Journal of Engineering in Industrial Research

h-index: 18     i10-index: 25

Ferrite Quantum Dot/Graphene Nanohybrids for Interfacial Tension Reduction: A Reservoir Alteration Wettability for Enhancing Oil Recovery

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

surajudeen otolowo Azeez 1
oluwaseun Adedokun 2
K.O Suleman 3
Akeem Adewale 2
khadijat Babalola 1
Taiwo Adeojo 1
Olumuyiwa Adewumi 1
Taofik Adedosu 4
Yekinni Sanusi 2
Lukman Ayobami Sunmonu 2

1 Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Nigeria

2 Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

3 Department of Physics, School of Basic Sciences, Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko, Delta State, Nigeria

4 Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.48309/jeires.2025.530846.1244
Abstract
This study introduces a new technique that utilizes nanohybrids made from graphene ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) quantum dots nanohybrids (G-FQDs). These nanohybrids are produced through a manufacturing process that is both inexpensive and scalable for commercial use. When these FQDs-G nanohybrids are dispersed in a fluid to form nanofluids, they significantly lower the interfacial tension the force at the boundary between oil and water. Reducing this tension helps to improve the displacement of oil in reservoirs, making these nanofluids highly effective for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies. The graphene synthesis involves chemical exfoliation using deionized water, strong acids, and oxidants, while ferrite quantum dots (FQDs) are produced via a hydrothermal method using castor oil plant precursors. The G-FQDs nanohybrids are fabricated using a sol-gel process and characterized using techniques such as XRD, FTIR, and HRTEM. We investigated the mechanism of these nanofluids under reservoir-simulated conditions. The results demonstrate that 0.5-G-FQDs nanofluid optimally modifies wettability in oil-wet carbonate slabs while exhibiting the optimal stability through minimal droplet formation. These nanohybrids significantly reduce interfacial tension, with oil/water IFT dropping from 14.5 mN/m to 1.80 mN/m and n-decane/water IFT, which is a standard hydrocarbon phase that mimics the properties of crude oil decreasing from 46.6 mN/m to 24.3 mN/m. This study confirms the potential of G-FQDs nanohybrids for enhancing EOR efficiency.

Graphical Abstract

Ferrite Quantum Dot/Graphene Nanohybrids for Interfacial Tension Reduction: A Reservoir Alteration Wettability for Enhancing Oil Recovery

Keywords

Quantum dot hybrids
Nanofluid
Graphene quantum dots
Rock reservoir
Alteration wettability

Subjects

OPEN ACCESS

©2025 The author(s). This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this license, visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Journal of Engineering in Industrial Research
Volume 6, Issue 4
Summer 2025
Pages 324-336

  • Receive Date 20 June 2025
  • Revise Date 23 July 2025
  • Accept Date 13 August 2025

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