Transport of Polymer-Coated Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles in Porous Media

Abstract

Injecting fluids into deep underground geologic structures is a critical component to development of long-term strategies for managing greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating energy extraction operations. Recently, we reported that metal-organic frameworks are low-frequency absorptive acoustic metamaterial that may be injected into the subsurface enhancing geophysical monitoring tools used to track fluids and map complex structures. A key requirement for this nanotechnology deployment is transportability through porous geologic media without being retained by mineral-fluid interfaces. Flow-through column studies were used to estimate transport and retention properties of five different polymer-coated MIL-101(Cr) nanoparticles in siliceous porous media. Nanoparticle transport experiments revealed that nanoparticle surface characteristics play a critical role in nanoparticle colloidal stability and as well the transport.

Porous Colloidal Nanoparticles as Injectable Multimodal Contrast Agents for Enhanced Geophysical Sensing

“…Synthesis of MIL-101­(Cr) nanoparticles was accomplished using previously reported methods. ,,− ZIF-8 was chosen as it is facile to prepare and has robust porosity and excellent stability across a range of chemical, temperature, and pressure conditions, , making it an ideal candidate for subsurface applications. The synthesis of nanometric ZIF-8 (sodalite topology) was performed as reported at room temperature and in an aqueous environment to promote spontaneous and rapid nucleation.…”