Investigation of surface properties of quince seed extract as a novel polymeric surfactant

Advancements in Surfactant Carriers for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Opportunities

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques are crucial for maximizing the extraction of residual oil from mature reservoirs. This review explores the latest advancements in surfactant carriers for EOR, focusing on their mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities. We delve into the role of inorganic nanoparticles, carbon materials, polymers and polymeric surfactants, and supramolecular systems, highlighting their interactions with reservoir rocks and their potential to improve oil recovery rates. The discussion includes the formulation and behavior of nanofluids, the impact of surfactant adsorption on different rock types, and innovative approaches using environmentally friendly materials. Notably, the use of metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, graphene derivatives, and polymeric surfacants and the development of supramolecular complexes for managing surfacant delivery are examined. We address the need for further research to optimize these technologies and overcome current limitations, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and economically viable EOR methods. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the emerging trends and future directions in surfactant carriers for EOR.

Ultrasonic-assisted pH shift-induced interfacial remodeling for enhancing the emulsifying and foaming properties of perilla protein isolate

In order to expand the applications of plant protein in food formulations, enhancement of its functionalities is meaningful. Herein, the effects of ultrasonic (20 KHz, 400 W, 20 min)-assisted pH shift (pH 10 and 12) treatment on the structure, interfacial behaviors, as well as the emulsifying and foaming properties of perilla protein isolate (PPI) were investigated. Results showed that the solubility of PPI treated by ultrasonic-assisted pH shift (named UPPI-10/12) exceeded 90 %, which was at least 2 and 1.4 times that of untreated PPI and ultrasound-based PPI. Meanwhile, UPPI-10/12 possessed higher foamability (increasing by at least 1.2 times) and good emulsifying stability. Ultrasonic-assisted pH shift treatment decomposed large PPI aggregates into tiny particles, evident from the dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy results. Besides, this approach induced a decrease in α-helix of PPI and an increase in β-sheet, which might result in the exposure of the hydrophobic group on the structural surface of PPI, thus leading to the increase of surface hydrophobicity. The smaller size and higher hydrophobicity endowed UPPI-10/12 faster adsorption rate, tighter interfacial structure, and higher elastic modulus at the air- and oil-water interfaces, evident from the cryo-SEM and interfacial dilatational rheological results. Thus, the emulsifying and foaming properties could evidently enhance. This study demonstrated that ultrasonic-assisted pH shift technique was a simple approach to effectively improve the functional performance of PPI.