Green synthesis and characterization of novel NiO/SiO2 nanocomposites from Citrus sinensis extract as an emulsion stabilizer for chemical enhanced oil recovery applications
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Orange peels or Citrus sinensis peels are considered plant waste that can be discarded and become a nuisance to the environment. They can be used to create useful products that are economically advantageous. In this paper, Citrus sinensis peels extract was utilized to synthesize NiO/SiO 2 . The nanoparticles were characterised using various analytical methods including Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Dispersed X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Thermogravimetric Analysis TGA. Based on the characterisation results, irregular NiO/SiO 2 nanocomposites with an average diameter of 16.6 nm were observed via the XRD analysis. The DLS gave a z-average hydrodynamic diameter of 41.5 nm. Approximately 87% of NiO and SiO 2 and 90% of Ni, Si, O in the synthesized nanocomposite were observed via EDXRF. The FTIR spectra confirms the presence of NiO and SiO 2 at wavelengths of 476 cm −1 and 1030 cm −1 . TGA analysis reveals a thermal stability of over 90% at a 300 °C. The analytical results confirm the successful synthesis of NiO/SiO 2 nanocomposite with a potential to be applied in various fields of science and engineering. The emulsion stability of crude oil emulsion using varying concentrations of NiO/SiO 2 was investigated by visual inspection and discovered to last for 15 days at a concentration of 1000 ppm in 3.5 wt% saline water suggesting its suitability for potential interfacial tension reduction and ultimately enhancing crude oil recovery.
Source: Next Materials
Institution: University of Port Harcourt
Language: English
Subfield: Ocean Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,280
OpenAlex ID: W7166335121