Chitooligosaccharide Derivatives with Aromatic Ring Conjugated Intercalation Function Disperse Asphaltene to Reduce the Viscosity of Heavy Oil

Based on dispersing the stacking structure of asphaltenes and inhibiting the reaggregation of asphaltenes, functional chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) derivatives were prepared using COS in this study. Driven by the conjugated intercalation of aromatic rings, COS derivatives could move among the lamellae of asphaltene stacked structures. The effect of COS derivatives on asphaltene aggregates for face-to-face stacking and the inner diameter of the aromatic sheet was characterized by X-ray diffraction and Raman. The microstructure of asphaltene in this mode of interaction could be observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The effect of COS derivatives on the stacking structure and aggregation behavior of asphaltenes could enhance the fluidity of heavy oil, resulting in a change in the viscosity-temperature curve of heavy oil. This demonstrates the enormous research value of COS derivatives in the extraction and transportation of heavy oil.