Preparation of A Cross-Linking Agent for Gel Foam

Foam systems are commonly utilized despite their inherent instability. This study proposes a novel approach by combining foam with gel to address the issue of poor foam stability. An organoboron-zirconium crosslinking agent, YPNE, was synthesized for gel foam through a two-step method involving zirconium oxychloride, borax, mannitol, N-methyl diethanolamine, and disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate as primary raw materials. The structural and morphological characteristics of the gel foams were analyzed using polarization microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The findings reveal that adding YPNE to the gel foam system results in a more uniform polymer distribution, a more intricate three-dimensional network structure, uniform gel foam size, and good thermal stability. The viscoelastic properties of the gel foam demonstrate elastic behavior and a relatively stable structure under low shear stress, enabling it to resist deformation and effectively store energy. This study offers novel theoretical underpinnings for using gel foam and presents innovative avenues for practical applications in oil and gas exploration, materials engineering, and related fields.