Two kinds of copolymers with host–guest interaction were synthesized, showing great potential for enhanced oil recovery.

The monomers containing phenylsulfonamide N-allyl-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (TCAP) and N,N-diallyl-4-methyl benzenesulfonamide (TCDAP) were copolymerized with acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), and 3-(3-methacrylamidopropyl-dimethylammonio)-propane-1-sulfonate (MDPS), respectively, through free-radical micellar copolymerization in deionized water for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Then, the effect of the synthesis conditions was investigated simultaneously; the copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infraredFTIR, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the thickening function, high-temperature resistance (120 C), and anti-shear ability were improved significantly. It was also found that the copolymers had excellent viscoelasticity at the lower shear frequencies. When the copolymers were dissolved in 10,000 mg L −1 NaCl, 2000 mg L −1 CaCl 2 , and 2000 mg L −1 MgCl 2 solutions, the viscosity retention rates of AM/AA/TCAP/MDPS and AM/AA/TCDAP/MDPS were 13.3, 11.1, 10.6% and 18.6, 15.2, 11.7%, respectively. In addition, the copolymers for EOR at 60 C were 11.4 and 13.8%, respectively, which demonstrated that the copolymers possessed excellent performance for potential application in EOR.

No abstract