Unveiling the Stability of Modified Graphene: Insights Through Visual Observation and Light Scattering Technique

Abstract Graphene is an extraordinary two-dimensional material that demonstrate the application in various field, including utilization in the drilling fluid for the friction reduction and fluid loss control. However, the drilling fluid applications of graphene are limit by its tendency to settle over the time, that tremendously reduced the efficiency of the drilling process. In order to overcome the settling effect, the modification of graphene could be employed. In the current study, the electrochemically exfoliated graphene modified by incorporating Gum Arabic to improve the aqueous suspension stability in water. The transmittance and backscattering measurements were assessed over time to analyze the stability of the graphene dispersion. The stability indices obtained from the transmittance and backscattering profiles provide quantitative comparison of settling rate of the modified graphene with that of unmodified counterpart. The experimental outcomes of light scattering technique (LST) and visual observations revealed the lowering of settling problem and the improvement in the dispersion features of the drilling fluid. The assessment of the stability index revealed a prominent reduction in sedimentation and increased dispersion stability of the modified graphene solution as compared to the unmodified graphene. Furthermore, the modified graphene displayed prolonged settling rate that was much lower than unmodified electrochemically exfoliated graphene. These outcomes indicate that the Gum Arabic prominently improved the dispersion of graphene in water. Consequently, the Gum Arabic modified graphene boost the fluid loss control and decrease the fluid friction that conspicuously improve the overall efficiency of drilling fluids. The addition of the modified graphene to drilling fluid improved the dispersion stability, fluid loss control, and fluid friction that make it suitable for the diverse drilling applications.