Effects of silica nanoparticle on the solution properties of hydrophobically associating polymer based on acrylamide and β-cyclodextrin

Synthesis of a novel β-cyclodextrin-functionalized hydrophobically associating polyacrylamide named ASM was carried out using acrylamide (AM), cetyl dimethyl allyl ammonium bromide (SD-16) and modified β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) via free-radical copolymerization . Effective characterization methods, including FT-IR, 1 H NMR and TGA , were adopted to evaluate ASM. Influences of SiO 2 nanoparticle (nano-SiO 2 ) on ASM solution properties were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of nano-SiO 2 significantly increased the temperature resistance, salt tolerance and shear resistance of the ASM solution. It was found that ASM/SiO 2 composite had 1.5 times higher viscosity than ASM in the range of 25–90 °C. The FT-IR data confirmed that the formation of hydrogen bond between silanol groups at surface of nano-SiO 2 and amide group, hydroxyl group of M-β-CD in ASM molecule contributed to the improved performance. What ’ s more, viscoelastic test indicated that nano-SiO 2 remarkably facilitated the cross-links among polymer molecules and enhanced the elasticity of ASM/SiO 2 composite. Based on the enhanced oil recovery tests, the oil recovery could remarkably enhance 10.08% for composite versus only 6.56% for ASM.