Application of ZnO–TiO₂/zeolite nanocomposites to enhance oil recovery from sandstone formations

Developing novel nanocomposites is a successful approach to affecting the nanoparticle, fluid, and rock interactions in porous media. This study introduces new ZnO–TiO₂/ZSM-5 nanocomposites (ZTZ), and the improvements compared to the standalone application of ZSM-5 zeolite, are investigated. Several methods, such as XRD, SEM, EDX, and BET, were used to study the morphology of the developed nanocomposites. Zeta potential data showed that ZTZ had better stability conditions compared to ZSM-5. The effect of ZTZ on fluid/rock interactions such as IFT, wettability, and surface charges was measured and analyzed to select the most effective nanocomposites concentration to detach oil from the surface at the reservoir conditions (1800 Psi, 60 °C). In the presence of ZTZ, wettability alteration to the wet state was greater, and IFT was reduced to lower values. Hence, ZTZ altered the capillary force more than standalone nanoparticles. This effect was also observed in oil displacement tests, where at the optimum concentration, accelerated production and a 9% higher recovery by ZTZ were observed compared to the output by ZSM-5 flooding. It was found that the ZTZ presented in this study is an efficient nanocomposite for EOR application in sandstone formations.