Abstract

Geopolymers being inorganic polymers, pumpable, gaining compressive strength, bonding to steel and formation, and showing durability at downhole conditions make them a possible barrier material. However, having low tensile strength, and being contaminated severely with water-based fluids are the challenges to be mitigated. These challenges have also been observed in recently developed rock-based geopolymers. Different researchers have suggested the application of nanoparticles as additive to geopolymers for increasing the mechanical properties. Of these one could list nanosilica, nano titanium di-oxide, nanocarbon graphene, carbon nanotubes, and nano aluminium. However, their reasoning for utilization of these nano particles originated from their effect on properties of Portland cement.

In this study, the effect of nano titanium di-oxide and nanocarbon graphene is considered on the rock-based geopolymers. The two main criteria for selection of these materials are in-house availability, and the published prior art. The effect of the nano materials on rheological behavior, mechanical strength and microstructure of the geopolymers are the main investigated parameters. The obtained result shows that the nano materials improve the pumpability of the geopolymers but not improving the tensile strength effectively.

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