The synthesis and water-swelling performances of magnetic composite microspheres with multi-shell structures via a combination method

Magnetic composite polymeric microspheres have several technical advantages in improving oil recovery applications. Swelling and stability are key properties that are a direct result of water shutoff efficacy. However, the important aspect of swelling and stability is the materials of the microspheres. In this paper, multiple–shell structures of magnetic hybrid composite spherical particles with different materials which were Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @PAM, Fe 3 O 4 @TiO 2 @PAM, Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @PAM-MBAAm were synthesized via a combination method and theirs physical properties including morphology, particle size distribution, and water swelling property were thoroughly examined. Meanwhile, the plugging performances were studied. The main goal of this paper was to investigate effect of materials of constituents on swelling properties of microspheres. The results demonstrate that both inorganic and organic constituents can affect the swelling properties of microspheres. Moreover, plugging properties of microspheres with different components are different at different salt concentrations, temperatures and pH values. Meanwhile, the results also open up possibilities for studying on the system of heat-resistant, salt-resistant, and pH-resistant oil displacement agent.