@article{Wang2026, 
author = {Bo Wang and Shu-Yuan Deng and Hao Zeng and Feng-Peng Lai and Qing Feng and Xiao-Nan Li and Yue-Hui She and Fan Zhang},
title = {Synthesis of biopolymer nanocomposites and experimental investigation on enhanced oil recovery},
year = {2026},
journal = {Petroleum Science},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {496-513},
keywords = {Biosynthesis, Nanoparticles, Biopolymer nanocomposites, Dispersion stability, Enhanced oil recovery},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1016/j.petsci.2025.08.020},
doi = {10.1016/j.petsci.2025.08.020},
abstract = {Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in the petroleum industry, particularly in upstream and downstream applications, due to their quantum effects and high surface area-to-volume ratio. However, stable dispersion and high input ratios of NPs are critical factors limiting their application. This study thus synthesizes the biopolymer nanocomposite E-Ag NPs in one step using the metabolic product exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Bacillus subtilis as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. This study explored the potential of E-Ag NPs to enhance oil recovery in low- and medium-permeability formations. Experimental results showed that the average particle size of Ag NPs synthesized using EPS ranged from 20 to 50 nm. The presence of EPS resulted in a higher Zeta potential value (−43.4 mV), indicating improved stability of the nanofluid, effectively inhibiting NPs aggregation. Interfacial tension and wettability evaluation experiments demonstrated that E-Ag NPs exhibited excellent capabilities in reducing interfacial tension and altering wettability. In the enhanced oil recovery evaluation experiments, the imbibition experiment with E-Ag NPs achieved a maximum recovery rate of 54.32%, and the core flooding experiment reached a maximum recovery rate of 16.33%. In conclusion, the biopolymer nanocomposites developed by this method offer valuable guidance and reference for oilfield development, providing a green and efficient potential solution for enhanced oil recovery.}
}