Nanoparticle carrier platform and methods for controlled release of subterranean well treatment additives
Nano-sized mixed metal oxide carriers capable of delivering a well treatment additive for a sustained or extended period of time in the environment of use, methods of making the nanoparticles, and uses thereof are described herein. The nanoparticles can have a formula of: A/[M x 1 M y 2 M z 3 ]O n H m where x is 0.03 to 3, y is 0.01 to 0.4, z is 0.01 to 0.4 and n and m are determined by the oxidation states of the other elements, and M 1 can be aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), or thallium (Tl). M 2 and M 3 are not the same and can be a Column 2 metal, Column 14 metal, or a transition metal. A is can be a treatment additive.
1. A nanoparticle having a formula of:
A/[M x 1 M y 2 M z 3 ]O n H m
where
M 1 , M 2 , and M 3 are in the crystal lattice structure of the nanoparticle and M 1 is a Column l3 element selected from aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), or thallium (Tl), M 2 and M 3 are each a Column 2 metal, a Column 14 metal, or a transition metal, with the proviso that M 2 and M 3 are different, and
x is 0.03 to 3, y is 0.01 to 0.4, z is 0.01 to 0.4 and n and m are determined by the oxidation states of the metals M 1 , M 2 , and M 3 .
2. The nanoparticle of claim 1 , wherein M 2 and M 3 are each independently beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and radium (Ra).
3. The nanoparticle of claim 1 , wherein M 1 is Al, M 2 is Mg and M 3 is calcium (Ca).
4. The nanoparticle of claim 1 , having a diameter of 1 nm to 10,000 nm.
5. The nanoparticle of claim 4 , wherein the diameter is 10 nm to 1000 nm.
6. The nanoparticle of claim 4 , wherein the diameter is 10 nm to 200 nm.