Synthesis and Application of an Eco-Friendly Cellulose Diacrylate-Carbon Nanocomposite: A Highly Effective Inhibitor for Clay Swelling in Water-Based Drilling Fluids

The wellbore vulnerability while drilling triggered by the swelling of the shale formations could lead to significant non-productive time and high costs to overcome. In our present study, acrylic acid-functionalized cellulose diacrylate-carbon nanocomposite (AA-Cellulose-NC) was synthesized in-house for application as a clay swelling inhibitor. The characteristics of the AA-Cellulose-NC were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The inhibition potential was assessed by employing linear swelling. The drilling mud’s performance was also examined by means of rheological studies and fluid loss assessment. It was noticed that the decrease in linear swelling of bentonite clay (Na-Ben) was dependent on the concentration of AA-Cellulose-NC; for instance, 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0% AA-Cellulose-NC decreased the linear swelling by 37%, 47%, and 57%, respectively, as compared to water. With the addition of 1.0% AA-Cellulose-NC, the fluid loss declined from 10.0 to 7.4 mL. The zeta potential increased in negative value from −27.3 to −41.4 mV that confirms the formation of stable dispersion of nanocomposite with bentonite clay. The very high capillary suction time approves the strong swelling inhibition performance of nanocomposite. The light scattering technique confirmed the slow settling rate and prolonged suspension of AA-Cellulose-NC in water that is indication of better drilling fluid performance. Consequently, it can be deduced that AA-Cellulose-NC is a robust contender that might assist as an environment-friendly shale inhibitor for water-based drilling muds.