Colloids and Surfaces A 556 (2018) 23–29

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Colloids and Surfaces A

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/colsurfa

Rheological investigation of smart polymer/carbon nanotube complex on T

properties of water-based drilling fluids
⁎
Amin Kazemi-Beydokhtia, , Seyed Hasan Hajiabadib
a
Department of Chemical Engineering, Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering School, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
b
Department of Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering School, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

G R A P H I C A L A B S T R A C T

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Carbon-based nano-materials and polymers are the most propitious materials proposed to cure the serious
Polymer/carbon nanotube problems encountered in drilling operation. The aim of this study is to improve the essential properties of
Water-based drilling fluid selected water-based drilling muds (WBMs) using a new synthesized complex of oxidized multi-walled carbon
Plastic viscosity nanotube wrapped by polyethylene glycol (POCNT). A rotational rheometer and an API filter press were used to
Yield stress
analyze the rheological and filtration properties of the drilling muds, and smart hydrophilic and hydrophobic
Filter loss
behaviors were expected due to carboxylic bonds and PEG polymer chains. It has been shown that adding a
relatively low amount of POCNT to selected water-based muds will lead to a significant improvement in
rheological behaviors of the drilling fluid, and a noticeable reduction in their associated formation damage.
Specifically, the presence of POCNT in WBMs has shown to enhance the viscosity, yield stress, and subsequently
the carrying capacity of the drilling muds at several temperatures. Moreover, it has been indicated that this
formulation could properly decrease the permeability of mud cake, and as a result, reduce the filtration volume
of nanofluids compared with that of base fluid by up to 82%. At the end, the curve fitting analysis proves that the
Herschel- Bulkley method better fits the rheological behaviors of this new nano drilling fluid.

Abbreviations: API, American Petroleum Institute; CNT, carbon nanotube; MWCNT, multi-walled carbon nanotubes; POCNT, wrapped oxidized multi-walled carbon
nanotubes; PEG, polyethylene glycol; YP, yield point (yield stress); PV, plastic viscosity; LPLT, low pressure- low temperature conditions; NPs, nanoparticles; OBMs,
oil-based muds; WBMs or WBFs, water-based muds or water-based fluids; NDF, nano drilling fluid
⁎
Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: a.kazemi@hsu.ac.ir (A. Kazemi-Beydokhti), s.h.hajiabadi@hsu.ac.ir (S.H. Hajiabadi).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.07.058
Received 2 June 2018; Received in revised form 21 July 2018; Accepted 31 July 2018
Available online 01 August 2018
0927-7757/ © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A. Kazemi-Beydokhti, S.H. Hajiabadi
1. Introduction
Drilling fluids, being a significant component of the circulating
system, play an important role in the process of drilling and so opti-
mization of its properties is critical for drilling operation success [1,2].
Broadly speaking, water-based drilling fluids (WBFs or WBMs) and non-
aqueous drilling fluids are among the two main types of well-known
drilling fluids while WBMs are commonly employed as appropriate
fluids in the drilling process considering their lower cost, biodegradable
and eco-friendly characteristics [3–5].
In addition, several studies have shown that shear-thinning fluids
exhibit proper rheological properties that make them a good candidate
to achieve a desirable drilling mud [6]. In such a case, drilling muds
exhibit high resistance in low shear rates to provide a proper cutting
transport efficiency and hole cleaning performance [7]. Note that
Bingham plastic, power law, Herschel- Bulkley and Casson models are
the most prevalent rheological models to describe the behavior of mud
under stress conditions [2].
Among the most common treatments on drilling fluids is improve-
ment of the stabilities and flow properties of clay suspensions using
dispersant solutions, such as, polymers [8,9], salts [10] and surfactants
[11,12]. However, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), specifically, the multi-
walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been suggested as the most
efficacious additives to the drilling fluids [6,7]. For instance, Nasser
et al. [13], Samsuri et al. [14], Halali et al. [15], and Ismail et al.
[16–18] demonstrated the capability of MWCNT to improve the visc-
osity, cutting carrying capacity, yield stress and some other rheological
attributes of the drilling fluids. Recent work has also confirmed the
positive effect of MWCNT and changes in functionalization degree of
NPs on the rheological properties of drilling fluid samples [19].
Similar results have been obtained in the case of drilling fluid fil-
tration examination where the addition of MWCNTs, with regards to
their ultra-fine dimensions, leave a tight and thin mud cake on the
wellbore leading to negligible drilling fluid loss [14,20]. Kosynkin et al.
[21] prepared a water-based drilling mud with a mixture of MWCNT
NPs and xanthan gum as an additive to present additional controls on
mud filtration and production of an impermeable mud-cake. Similar
observation was reported by Ismail et al. [22] while performing some
experimental studies on the effect of nanotube and nano-silica on the
WBMs. Later, several investigators found that the MWCNT can be used
as a suitable additive to decrease the drilling mud filter loss into the
formation [15,17,19,23].
Besides, it should be noted that polymers are also known as proper
additives to modify some properties of drilling fluids, such as viscosity
attributes, gel properties, and filtration features [24–29].
The present study is an attempt to investigate the impact of oxidized
multi-walled carbon nanotube wrapped by PEG (POCNT) on the rheo-
logical behavior of WBMs. Oxidized MWCNTs were prepared and
characterized through chemical treatment of raw CNTs, after which the
nano platforms were modified with polymer. The nanofluids were then
prepared through API (American Petroleum Institute) standards and
analyzed based on a number of pre-designed tests and their filtration
properties were examined to investigate the potential of additives in
reduction of formation damage. At the end, the best rheological model
fitted to flow behavior of these novel nano-drilling fluids was identified.
2. Materials and method
2.1. Materials
MWCNTs were purchased from the US Research Nanomaterial
(Houston) and the nanotubes were synthesized by chemical vapor de-
position (CVD) method (purity: > 95%, outside diameter: 20–30 nm,
specific surface area: > 110 m2/g, tap density: 0.28 g/cm3, true density:
2.1 g/cm3).
The industrial grade of PEGs were obtained from the Kimyagaran
24
Colloids and Surfaces A 556 (2018) 23–29
Emrooz Company (KEPEG 4000). The raw bentonite, used in prepara-
tion of the solutions, were supplied from a local mine while the other
chemicals were purchased from Sigma–Aldrich and consumed without
any further treatment.
2.2. Characterization
The morphological structure of oxidized MWCNT and POCNT were
identified through the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) method
and using Leo 912 AB, Japan operated at 120 kV. During the TEM
analysis, the formvar carbon coated grid Cu Mesh 300 was used and
2.0 μL drops of sample solution were placed on a small piece of gold-
covered surface while the residual water was evaporated using a hot
plate.The Shimadzu model TGA-50 was used for thermo-gravimetric
analysis (TGA) with a heating rate of 10 °C/min in the air while a
WiseCircu stirrer (Korea) was hired for mechanical mixing of the dril-
ling fluids. The nanofluids were sonicated using a probe ultrasonic
950 W (SJIA LAB) and an ultrasonic bath (Elmasonic P, Germany).
The pH values were measured using a calibrated pH meter
(Metrohm-827 pH lab, Metrohm AG, Herisau, Switzerland). X-ray dif-
fraction analysis (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) analysis
were carried out on bentonite powders using Siemens, D5000, Germany
diffractometer and SPECTRO iQ II, Ametek, Germany, respectively.
These parameters were set for the XRD analysis: Radiation source: ru-
bidium (cathode), tungsten (anode), wavelength: 1.54 A, step scan size:
0.02°, step time: 0.5 s, and counting time: 1650s (27.5 min).
Rheological behaviors were analyzed using a rotational rheometer
(RST-CC, Brookfield, USA).
2.3. Preparation of POCNT
At the beginning, 1 g of MWNTs was carboxylated by H2SO4 (10 ml,
95%) and HNO3 (30 ml, 70%) treatment within a reflux system in-
cluding a cooling supply to control the reaction temperature. This step
ended in aqueous-soluble CNTs while still the stability of nanoparticles
in the base fluid is not proper enough for further investigations. More
details are provided at Kazemi-Beydokhti et al. [19].
Next, the PEGylation of CNTs was applied in order to increase the
stability and distribution of the nanotubes in the solution. The oxidized
solution was then separated by a 0.45 μm membrane filter and dried
overnight, and simultaneously, 5 g of polyethylene glycol (PEG) was
dispersed in 10 ml of chloroform and sonicated for 4 h to reach an
uniform suspension. It should be mentioned that the use of chloroform
can improve the quality of PEG wrapping around the CNTs.
Afterwards, the CNTs were added to the suspension and the sus-
pension was sonicated again for the next 2 days. Note the suspension
was given about 10 min of rest for each one hour of operation.
Finally, the solution was centrifuged at a rate of 5000 × g for 30 min
till deposition of the unbounded polymers occurred and the collected
supernatants were used in the next steps.
2.4. Preparation of drilling fluid samples
Solutions of local bentonite with a density of 68 PCF (lb/ft3,
∼1.9 g/L), as the base fluid, were prepared by mixing the materials
with deionized water for 20 min. Moreover, in order to prepare the
nanofluids, 500 mg of the POCNT were added to 80 ml of deionized
water, and dispersed by the bath sonicator for about 1 h.
Then the nano drilling fluids (NDF-1, NDF-2, and NDF-3) were
prepared by adding the proper amount of the POCNT solution to the
base fluid. The uniform gray color of final sample shows the good
dispersion of the nanocomplex in the drilling fluids. But, the black se-
parated dots in the sample indicate that the agglomeration has oc-
curred. It should be noted that to perform each of rheological and fil-
tration tests, 80 ml and 350 ml of each drilling fluid were prepared,
respectively.
A. Kazemi-Beydokhti, S.H. Hajiabadi Colloids and Surfaces A 556 (2018) 23–29

2.5. Rheological and filtration measurements

This part of the study aims to investigate the performance of WBMs

through rheological analyses and filtration tests using an API Filter
press equipment to perform the LPLT static filtration tests. The oper-
ating pressure of the apparatus was 100 psi and the experiments were
performed at the ambient temperature in accordance with the American
Petroleum Institute (API) procedure. Filtration volumes were recorded
every 5 min and a digital caliper was used to measure the thickness of
mud cakes at the end of each experiment.
Plastic viscosity and yield stress were estimated from flow curves, as
a plot of the shear stress against the shear rate, at ambient pressure and
a range of temperatures between 30 °C and 40 °C. All experiments were
performed under control shear stress (CSS) mode and within a speed
range between 0.01 and 1000 rpm.

2.6. Statistical analysis

The quantitative results are reported in mean ± standard deviation

(SD) with the means estimated from the Student’s t-test while F-test was
hired to evaluate the statistical significance of the variables. The P-
values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

3. Result and discussion

3.1. XRD, XRF, TEM and TGA analyses

The results of XRD diffractogram shows that the local bentonite

sample is mainly composed of montmorillonite and minor impurities,
such as, quartz and calcite (see Fig. S1), representing the appropriate
quality of the clay [19]. The pattern of the XRD measurements also
demonstrates layered structure of bentonite laminated in the lower
parts [30].
Based on the results of XRF analysis, as shown in Table S1, and
considering a higher amount of Na2O as compared with that of CaO, the
bentonite must be denominated as a Na-Bentonite. Furthermore, de-
tected volatile compounds, such as, organic carbon and crystal bound
waters are due to loss-on-ignition (L.O.I).
TEM image of the nanotubes coated by polymer is shown at Fig.1. It
is clear that PEG could significantly wrap the CNTs which ultimately
lead to a uniform dispersion of the complex in drilling fluid.
Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was also conducted to further
investigate of the sample’s weight degradation in a complex variable
temperature over time. Fig. 2 presents the variations based on weight
(%), derivative weight (%/°C) and temperature (°C) including a deri-
vative curve that marks the main inflection point. Fig. 2 (a) belongs to
pristine nanotubes indicating only one main peak due to thermal de-
composition of nanotube structure. However, the other plot incudes
three main parts of reductions related to wrapped polymer around
Fig. 1. TEM image of the POCNT.
Fig. 2. TGA of (a) pristine CNTs and (b) POCNT.
250 °C (13%), carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups (13%) and the
main structure of CNTs around 600 °C (74%).
3.2. Filtration properties
To examine the effect of introducing NPs on the behavior of drilling
fluids, four different solutions were prepared by dispersing the varying
amounts of the POCNT in a base fluid with the same weight percent of
bentonite (13.2 wt. %, which is equivalent to 68 PCF mud density).
The results are presented in Table 1 showing a range of mud cake
thickness variation between the higher concentrated solution (0.06 wt.
% POCNT) and the base fluid. It has been shown that the solutions with
a higher POCNT content produced less amount of filtration and has a
slower final rate of filtration compared with the base fluid. Moreover,
as shown at Fig. 3, the time variation plot reveals that the POCNT
complex evinces impressive effects on reduction of the mud filtration
volume up to 82%.
Note that PEG is found to be an efficient polymer to suppress the
filtration volume by Fereidounpour et al. [31]. The effectiveness of this
polymer is probably due to its attachment on the surface of bentonite
components that partially blocks the pores and clogging the flow
medium through the formations [1].
On the other hand, we conjectured that the reinforced structure of
mud cake, made from rigid nanotubes and covered by pliable PEGs, is
able to develop flexible impermeable plugs on the pores and created a
good performance filter cake. Moreover, owing to ultra-small size, high
surface area, and high aspect ratio of the POCNT, it creates a thin, low
permeable mud cake leading to a lesser amount of friction during
drilling that is necessary to reduce the risk of differential stuck pipe [2].
In addition, the low amount of initial filter loss, also called spurt loss,
exhibited by the nanofluids confirmed the good quality of the created
filter cake.

25
A. Kazemi-Beydokhti, S.H. Hajiabadi Colloids and Surfaces A 556 (2018) 23–29

Table 1
The amount of mud cake thickness for different concentrations of the POCNT.
Nomenclature Formulation pH Initial filter loss (spurt Filtration volume Standard Final filtration rate Mud cake thickness
loss) (ml) (ml) deviation (ml/min) ( μm )

Base fluid 13 wt% bentonite 8.494 2 14.5 0.725 0.32 400

NDF-1 13 wt% bent. + 0.03 wt% 8.373 1 6.5 0.325 0.13 112
POCNT
NDF-2 13 wt% bent. + 0. 045 wt% 8.144 0.5 3.6 0.18 0.067 42
POCNT
NDF-3 13 wt% bent. + 0.06 wt % 7.926 0.5 2.6 0.13 0.046 34
POCNT

Fig. 4. Graphical results of measured viscosity versus shear rate for varying
Fig. 3. The filtration volume versus time for varying concentrations of POCNT. concentrations of the POCNT.

Finally, the recorded increase in the viscosity of POCNT WBMs,

further discussed in the next section, is an important factor in reduction
of the filtration volume due to its associated reduction in the fluid
mobility that is defined as the ratio of permeability to viscosity of the
fluid [32].

3.3. Rheological behavior analysis

3.3.1. Effect of POCNT on rheological properties of WBMs

Fig. 4 depicts the effect of POCNT concentration on the shear
viscosity of the fluid where elevated interaction among the POCNT
particles increases the mechanical friction among the clay layers, and so
the viscosity. Moreover, owing to the significant alignment of NPs in
the direction of flow, all solutions exhibit shear-thinning behavior (see
[19] for further details).
Fig. 5 presents the measured shear stress values against corre-
sponding shear rates showing the enhancement of the yield stress and
plastic viscosity of the drilling fluids due to NPs additives. Note that
most of the WBMs are showing pseudoplastic behaviors characterized
by an internal resistance and a threshold shear stress to flow, named as Fig. 5. Shear stress- Shear rate plot for varying concentrations of the POCNT.
plastic viscosity and yield stress, respectively. These parameters can be
identified from a plot of shear stress against shear rate in which yield pseudoplastic rheological behavior. This shear-thinning behavior is
stress is determined from extrapolating the curve to zero-shear situa- probably due to the fact that at high shear rates the capacity of silicate
tion, and the plastic viscosity corresponds to the slope of the plot [33]. layers to re-orient in the flow direction could not be followed by the
In addition, a high shear stress was recorded in a zero- shear rate solid-like structure. So, the shear-thinning performance of the nanofluid
that decreased to its minimum value at initial raise of the shear rate. at a low shear rate is negligible and include unperturbed characteristics
This demonstrates a solid- like elastic state of the NPs-rich samples, in the rheological behavior. Furthermore, owing to the high con-
such as, NDF-2 and NDF-3. centration of additives, this phenomena can be related to probable NPs
As shown at Fig. 5, following a slump in the measured values, the “jamming” at the bottom of sample holder of the rheometer [34,35].
shear stress started to increase with any increase in the shear rate that This behavior also presents a complex interparticle interaction
represents a liquid- like viscous state that is well-matched with the

26
A. Kazemi-Beydokhti, S.H. Hajiabadi
Fig. 6. The changes in pseudoplastic parameters in varying temperatures: (a)
effect of POCNT on the yield stress of solutions, (b) effect of POCNT on the
plastic viscosity of solutions.
between additives and clay solutions resulted from a high POCNT
content. In addition, this type of shear-thinning behavior is a function
of some other parameters, such as, the range of applied shear rate, clay
content and temperature. [15].
Fig. 6(a) shows the effect of temperature and POCNT content on the
measured yield stress. Beside of the above-mentioned reasons, which
simultaneously affect the plastic viscosity and yield stress, the increased
trend of yield stress with respect to the increased weight fraction of
nanotubes can be explained by the pH value of the samples.
Caused by isomorphic substitution, the layers of clay particles al-
ways have a negative charge on the face, but the charges of the edges
rest upon the pH value of the solution [36]. The electronic charges on
the edges of basal planes can be negative or positive depending on the
pH value of the mud [37].
Lagaly et al. showed that the gel structure of the bentonite solutions
is related to edge-to-face (E–F) contact in an acidic medium and face-to-
face (F-F) contact in an alkaline medium [38,39]. In addition, Laribi
et al. demonstrated that the maximum yield stress values for different
bentonite solutions were observed at a pH ranges of 6 and 8.5 where the
edge-to-edge (E-E) association occurs between negative and positive
edges of clay platelet, and subsequently makes strong “house of card”
structures. In alkaline medium, the decrease in the pH value can in-
crease the positive charges on the edges and causes a rigid network and
higher yield stress [40].
The variation of plastic viscosity of solutions against the con-
centration of POCNT at different temperatures is presented at Fig. 6(b).
The plastic viscosity of samples has been improved by addition of
POCNT that could be due to one of the following reasons:
- Larger surface area to volume ratio of the POCNT as compared with
the clay particle ones leading to a higher interaction and friction
inside the solution that increase viscosity of the sample.
- It could be due to the hydrogen bonding sites that are introduced by
acid oxidation [41]. The hydrogen-bonding network among in-
dividual NPs, and the NPs and interlamellar water molecules, con-
trols the large-scale properties of CNT solutions, such as, viscosity
and yield stress. The intensity of these properties increases with the
concentration of the CNT, due to more dense hydrogen bonding
[42,43].
- Finally, it might be occurred due to the effect of polymer part of the
additive that evidently increases the viscosity. Note that PEG mo-
lecules are non-ionic polymers, which cannot interact with the
27
Colloids and Surfaces A 556 (2018) 23–29
Fig. 7. Changes in the YP/PV ratio with different concentration of the POCNT
at varying temperatures.
negatively charged clay particles. However, they penetrate between
the clay layers by attaching on the platelets that will lead to swelling
of the solution. In addition, the hydrogen bonds formed between the
PEG and oxygen molecules on the clay particles may lead to brid-
ging flocculation in the mud and change the viscosity during the
tests [44,45].
The YP/PV ratio, as the amount of yield point divided by the plastic
viscosity, at each concentration of NPs are presented in Fig. 7 showing
an improvement of the yield stress and YP/PV ratio of drilling fluids in
higher temperatures due to the increase of cohesion forces among the
particles [28]. However, it exhibits a reverse effect on the plastic
viscosity.
Moreover, the ionic activities inside the bentonite solutions are al-
tered by an increase in temperature that changes the force equilibrium
inside the clay platelets and so the yield stress [1]. On the other side,
the increase in temperature reduces the viscosity of water, as con-
tinuous phase of WBMs, which leads to reduction of viscosity [19].
Likewise, it should be noted that the YP/PV ratio is known as a major
factor to identify the shear-thinning behavior of drilling fluids, and as a
rule of thumb, the higher amount of YP/PV ratio, the higher suspension
of solid particles, and therefore the better cutting carrying capacity of
drilling fluids [2,28].
It should be mentioned that, compared with the low concentrations
of the POCNT, YP/PV was influenced much lesser by temperature at
high concentrations of additives. This is because the POCNT NPs affect
the plastic viscosity more than the yield stress. Similar behavior was
seen by Mahmud et al. where a more stable viscosity was achieved by
an increase in the amount of NPs at high temperatures. They stated that
NPs are able to subdue the reduction of viscosity in high temperatures
[46].
3.3.2. Appropriate rheological model for POCNT drilling muds
This section provides a comparison of the most common rheological
models to determine the appropriate equation that is properly sets to
the flow behavior of modified drilling fluid. Identification of this
equation is, especially, critical for introducing new additives that aim to
improve the rheological properties of drilling fluids.
Table 2 shows a curve fitting analysis performed on the rheogram
plots. The definition of parameters used in each rheological model is
also introduced in the Table 3 [47]. Referring to the F-value and P-value
of the experiments, the fitting models are significant and the presented
R- squared (R2) values demonstrate the good fitting of all rheological
models to experimental results. However, they always increase by
adding a new predictor and cannot be used solely to quantify a model
A. Kazemi-Beydokhti, S.H. Hajiabadi Colloids and Surfaces A 556 (2018) 23–29

Table 2
The summary of curve fitting analysis of the most convenient rheological models of nano drilling fluid samples. Significant differences in P-value < 0.05 (*).
Model Equation Sample df F value P-Value Statistic

R-Square Adj. R-Square Average adj. R-Square

Bingham τ = a + bγ̇ Base fluid 1 24159.18 0* 0.99843 0.99839 0.98889

NDF-1 1 4562.809 0* 0.99174 0.99152
NDF-2 1 5375.999 0* 0.99298 0.9928
NDF-3 1 1398.306 0* 0.97354 0.97285
Power Law τ = aγ̇ n Base fluid 2 10296.58 0* 0.87023 0.86681 0.82501
NDF-1 2 6967.702 0* 0.81195 0.807
NDF-2 2 7038.107 0* 0.83858 0.83434
NDF-3 2 5407.902 0* 0.79723 0.7919
Herschel-Bulkley τ = a + bγ̇ n Base fluid 3 566151.9 0* 0.99847 0.99838 0.9907
NDF-1 3 259858.8 0* 0.99672 0.99654
NDF-2 3 121873 0* 0.99393 0.99361
NDF-3 3 29532.35 0* 0.97582 0.97452
Casson τ 0.5 = a + bγ̇ 0.5 Base fluid 2 52155.88 0* 0.97434 0.97367 0.9494
NDF-1 2 23179.55 0* 0.94336 0.94187
NDF-2 2 26153.54 0* 0.95648 0.95533
NDF-3 2 15421.7 0* 0.92873 0.92686

Table 3 respectively. At the end, by comparing the experimental results with

Definition of parameters used in the rheological models. those expected from the fitted models, the line fitted by the Herschel -
Parameters Bingham Power Law Herschel- Casson Bulkley model is the nearest neighbor to the measured data.
Bulkley

a Yield stress Consistency Yield stress Yield stress 4. Conclusions

index
b Plastic e Consistency Consistency
viscosity index index
In the present study, a complex of surface modified carbon nano-
n e Flow behavior Flow behavior e tubes is synthesized by acid treatment and polymer wrapping (POCNT),
index index and used as a novel additive to assay its potential in optimization of the
drilling fluid behaviors.
Owing to the hydrophilic and hydrophilic features of this new for-
[48]. mula, the rheological properties of samples, including yield stress,
Therefore, an adjusted R-square, as a modified term of R2, was hired viscosity, and gel strength were significantly improved. It has been
for further reliable evaluation of the equations, considering the fact shown that the POCNT can significantly reduce the permeability of mud
that, it enhances when advantageous variables are added to the model cake and exhibit a much lesser filtration rate than the conventional base
and declines when meaningless terms are embedded [49]. fluid. In fact, the filtration volume of WBMs modified by the POCNT
Based on the reported values for adj. R-squares, the most suitable was significantly reduced up to 82% that is mainly due to the reinforced
model to predict the rheological behavior of drilling fluids is the structure of mud cake made by modified CNTs and covered by pliable
Herschel- Bulkley model noticing the values close to the unity and its PEGs.
higher amount of F-value compare to the other models. A good example Generally, the outstanding features of the POCNT, applied in this
is presented at Fig. 8 showing curve fitting of the NDF-3 with the best study, confirmed its high potential in successful cutting removal and
fitting achieved in the case of the Herschel Bulkley model. Note the next effective reduction of filter loss even at very low concentrations.
best fitting belongs to the Bingham, Casson, and power law models, The smart network made by PEGylation of oxidized nanotubes,
hydrogen bonding among NPs, water, and PEG molecules, and the PEG
penetration through the layers of clays make drilling mud as a high
swellable solution having other specific behaviors.
In addition, based on the curve fitting analysis, rheological behavior
of the produced smart drilling fluid is properly fitted to the Herschel-
Bulkley model considering an adj. R squared values significantly close
to unity, and a high F-value.
Author Contributions
The manuscript was written through contributions of all authors. All
authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the Iranian Nanotechnology

Initiative Council for their financial support for this project.

Appendix A. Supplementary data

Supplementary material related to this article can be found, in the

Fig. 8. The curve fitting analysis of rheological properties of the NDF-3. online version, at doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.07.058.

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A. Kazemi-Beydokhti, S.H. Hajiabadi
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