Graphene Compositions And Drilling Fluids Derived Therefrom

• US 20110059871A1
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rice University
• Original Assignee: Rice University
• Inventors: Kosynkin, Dmitry V., Doyle, Condell D., Lomeda, Jay R., Schmidt, Howard K., Tour, James M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,183,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 507/137
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2204/04 Specific amount of layers or specific thickness
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2204/28 Solid content in solvents
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/192 starting from graphitic oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/194 After-treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/23 Oxidation
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/032 Inorganic additives
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/035 Organic additives
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/62 Compositions for forming crevices or fractures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/734 Fullerenes, i.e. graphene-based structures, such as nanohorns, nanococoons, nanoscrolls or fullerene-like structures, e.g. WS2 or MoS2 chalcogenide nanotubes, planar C3N4, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/737 having a modified surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/738 Modified with biological, organic, or hydrocarbon material

Abstract

Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A drilling fluid comprising a graphene.

2. The drilling fluid of claim 1, wherein the graphene comprises about 0.0001% to about 10% by volume of the drilling fluid.

3. The drilling fluid of claim 1, wherein the graphene comprises about 0.01% to about 0.1% by volume of the drilling fluid.

4. The drilling fluid of claim 1, wherein the graphene comprises graphite oxide.

5. The drilling fluid of claim 1, wherein the graphene comprises a chemically-converted graphene.

6. The drilling fluid of claim 5, wherein the chemically-converted graphene is prepared by a reduction of graphite oxide.

7. The drilling fluid of claim 6, wherein the reduction of graphite oxide is conducted with hydrazine.

8. The drilling fluid of claim 5, wherein the chemically-converted graphene is functionalized with a plurality of aryl groups.

9. The drilling fluid of claim 8, wherein the aryl groups are selected from the group consisting of p-chlorophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, p-bromophenyl, p-carboxyphenyl and combinations thereof.

10. The drilling fluid of claim 8, wherein the aryl groups are covalently bound to carbon atoms on the graphene;

and

wherein the aryl groups are introduced with a diazonium species.

11. The drilling fluid of claim 1, further comprising a surfactant.

12. The drilling fluid of claim 1, wherein the graphene is functionalized.

13. The drilling fluid of claim 12, wherein the graphene is functionalized with a plurality of aryl groups.

14. A method for making a drilling fluid comprising a graphene, said method comprising:

providing a graphene;

providing a drilling fluid; and

dispersing the graphene in the drilling fluid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the graphene comprises about 0.0001% to about 10% by volume of the drilling fluid.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the graphene comprises about 0.01% to about 0.1% by volume of the drilling fluid.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the graphene comprises graphite oxide.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the graphene comprises a chemically-converted graphene.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the chemically-converted graphene is functionalized with a plurality of aryl groups.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the aryl groups are selected from the group consisting of p-chlorophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, p-bromophenyl, p-carboxyphenyl and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the aryl groups are covalently bound to carbon atoms on the graphene;

and

wherein the aryl groups are introduced with a diazonium species.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the graphene is functionalized.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the graphene is functionalized with a plurality of aryl groups.

24. The method of claim 14, further comprising suspending the graphene with a surfactant.

25. A drilling fluid comprising a nanoplatelet additive, wherein the nanoplatelet additive is selected from the group consisting of exfoliated clays and expanded and mechanically sheared mica.