Development and Characterization of CO₂–Responsive Intelligent Polymer Sealant

Abstract

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In this study, we present an innovative intelligent polymer sealant designed to mitigate CO 2 leakage during underground geological storage (CCUS). This sealant is formulated by cross-linking CO 2 -responsive polymers, specifically acrylamide (AM) and N-[3-(dimethylamino) propyl] methacrylamide (DMAPMA), with polyethylenimine (PEI) serving as the cross-linking agent. The polymer sealant’s characteristics were systematically investigated, varying the CO 2 -responsive polymer content (1.5 wt %) and PEI content (0.1–0.6 wt %). A comprehensive analysis encompassing the rheological properties, thermal behavior, conductivity, and microstructures was conducted. Experimental results indicate that the polymer sealant exhibits excellent injectability, rapid response kinetics, thermal stability, and robust mechanical strength. Upon encountering CO 2, the polymer system undergoes a transition from sol to gel state, forming a surface-smooth, uniformly porous three-dimensional (3D) network skeleton structure. Remarkably, the gel’s modulus remains relatively unaffected by the shear frequency. Core fluid displacement experiments demonstrated a substantial sealing efficiency of 73.6% for CO 2 and an impressive subsequent injection water sealing rate of 96.2%, underscoring its superior sealing and migration performance. In conclusion, the proposed CO 2 -responsive gel sealant exhibits an exceptional potential for successful utilization in CCUS operations. This advancement introduces a novel avenue to enhance the effectiveness of CO 2 -responsive gel sealants, thereby contributing to the advancement of CO 2 leakage mitigation strategies in geological storage scenarios.